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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Perfectly Crackled

These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are one of the most iconic and beloved Christmas treats. With their soft, fudgy centers and snowy powdered sugar coating, they’re the ultimate holiday cookie. When they bake, the dough spreads slightly and forms beautiful crackles that reveal the rich chocolate inside — giving them their signature “crinkle” look. These cookies taste like a cross between a brownie and a soft cake. They’re deeply chocolaty, perfectly sweet, and melt-in-your-mouth tender. Whether you’re making holiday cookie boxes, hosting a Christmas party, or baking with family, these crinkles always steal the show. The best part? They’re easy, require simple ingredients, and deliver bakery-level results every single time.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
bake & Chill Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 30 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fresh Ingredients
  • 4 eggs
Dry Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for coating
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
Flavor
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dairy
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Small bowl for powdered sugar

Method
 

Step 1: Melt or soften the butter, then beat it with sugar until smooth and creamy.
    Step 2: Add the eggs and vanilla extract and mix until fully combined.
      Step 3: In another bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
        Step 4: Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.
          Step 5: Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (overnight is even better).
            Step 6: Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
              Step 7: Scoop about 1 tablespoon of chilled dough and roll it into a ball.
                Step 8: Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar, coating it fully.
                  Step 9: Place coated balls on the prepared baking sheet.
                    Step 10: Bake for 10–12 minutes, until crackles form on top and edges are set.
                      Step 11: Let cookies cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack.

                        Notes

                        🧊 Storage & Reheating
                        Room Temperature
                        Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
                        Freezer (Dough or Baked)
                        Freeze dough balls or baked cookies for up to 2 months.
                        Reheating
                        Enjoy at room temperature or warm for 5 seconds in the microwave for extra softness.
                        🥄 Variations
                        Chocolate Chip Crinkles: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips.
                        Mocha Crinkles: Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee.
                        Mint Chocolate Crinkles: Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.
                        Double Dark Crinkles: Use dark cocoa powder.
                        Cinnamon Crinkles: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon for warmth.
                        ❓ 10 FAQs
                        1. Why chill the dough?
                        Crinkles need cold dough to form deep cracks and prevent spreading.
                        2. Can I skip chilling?
                        No — the dough is too sticky without chilling.
                        3. Can I make them gluten-free?
                        Yes — use a 1:1 GF flour blend.
                        4. Why didn’t my cookies crack?
                        Your dough may have been too warm — chill longer.
                        5. Why roll in powdered sugar?
                        It creates the signature snowy look and sweet coating.
                        6. Can I freeze the dough?
                        Yes — freeze dough balls and roll in sugar before baking.
                        7. Can I reduce the sugar?
                        Only slightly — sugar helps create the crinkle effect.
                        8. Can kids help with this recipe?
                        Yes — rolling the dough in sugar is fun and easy.
                        9. Why are my cookies dry?
                        Overbaking — remove as soon as tops crack.
                        10. How do I get big, dramatic cracks?
                        Coat generously in powdered sugar + bake while the dough is very cold.
                        🏁 Conclusion
                        These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, snowy, and absolutely perfect for Christmas. Their soft brownie-like center and beautifully cracked powdered sugar shell make them one of the most festive and irresistible holiday cookies ever. Simple ingredients, flawless texture, and picture-perfect results — this is a recipe you’ll bake every year.