If you’re on the hunt for a cookie that’s as stunning as it is delicious, look no further than this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe. These irresistible treats feature a tender, fudgy chocolate interior that cracks through a snowy powdered sugar crust, leaving a beautiful crinkled pattern that’s almost too pretty to eat. Perfectly balanced with rich cocoa flavor and melty chocolate chips, these cookies are an absolute crowd-pleaser for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy night in or a festive gathering with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The charm of this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each item plays an important role, from creating the fudgy texture to delivering that classic crackled finish that makes these cookies truly special.
- 6 tablespoons butter (melted and cooled): Adds richness and helps create a tender crumb when combined with sugar.
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (divided): Sweetens the dough and the extra sugar helps create the beautiful crackle on the outside.
- 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives these cookies their deep chocolate flavor and rich color.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor with a warm, aromatic note.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while adding moisture for a soft center.
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour: Provides the structure needed to hold the cookies’ shape.
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder: Gives a subtle lift, helping the cookies spread and crack just right.
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: Bring melting pockets of chocolaty goodness in every bite.
- 1 cup powdered sugar: Essential for that iconic snow-dusted, crinkle effect on the cookie surface.
How to Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by beating melted and cooled butter together with 1 cup of granulated sugar and the unsweetened cocoa powder in a medium bowl. This creates a smooth, chocolatey base that will give the cookies their fudgy richness and deep flavor.
Step 2: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, stir in the eggs and vanilla extract. These not only help bind the dough but also add moisture and a touch of aromatic sweetness that brightens the chocolate intensity.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the baking powder and all-purpose flour. Gradually mix these dry ingredients into the chocolate mixture. The sifted flour prevents lumps and ensures a light texture, while the baking powder helps the cookies spread and crack in just the right way.
Step 4: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Now, carefully fold in those semi-sweet chocolate chips. These pockets of melty chocolate scattered throughout the dough take these cookies to the next level of indulgence with every bite.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or even longer if you can wait. This step is crucial — chilling firms up the sticky dough, making it easier to handle and enhancing the signature crackled appearance once baked.
Step 6: Prepare for Baking
When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a spoon or small cookie scoop to portion out the dough, then roll each portion between your hands to form smooth, even balls.
Step 7: Sugar-Coat the Dough Balls
First, roll each dough ball in the remaining 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, then generously coat it in powdered sugar. This dual coating is key to that iconic crackle effect as the cookies bake.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Place the sugar-coated dough balls onto a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 2 to 3 inches apart. Bake for 10 minutes until the cookies spread and develop a beautiful crackled pattern in the powdered sugar. The centers should still feel soft and slightly set, promising a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Serve Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra festive touch, dust the cookies lightly with a little additional powdered sugar just before serving. You can also sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top immediately after baking to enhance their appearance and chocolatey richness.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk, rich hot chocolate, or even a creamy vanilla ice cream. The cool creaminess balances their fudgy texture and highlights the chocolaty decadence.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe beauties in a clear jar or tied with a rustic ribbon to gift. They also work beautifully arranged on a dessert platter with berries and whipped cream for a stunning holiday spread that’s sure to impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once baked and fully cooled, store your chocolate crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh and soft for up to a week, making them perfect for enjoying throughout the week or sharing with friends.
Freezing
Both the cookie dough and baked cookies freeze beautifully. For the dough, shape into balls, place on a baking sheet to freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag — bake directly from frozen with a minute or two added to the baking time. For baked cookies, freeze in an airtight container, separated by parchment paper, and thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
If you want to bring back that fresh-baked warmth, pop chilled or frozen cookies into a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 7 minutes. This softens them up and revives that just-out-of-the-oven experience.
FAQs
Why should I chill the dough for this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe?
Chilling the dough solidifies the butter and sugar, which helps prevent excessive spreading during baking and promotes that signature cracked surface. It also makes the dough easier to handle since the texture firms up.
Can I use different types of chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Semi-sweet chips are classic, but feel free to swap in dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate chips based on your preference. Just keep in mind that flavor and sweetness levels will vary.
How do I ensure my cookies have a perfect crinkle pattern?
Rolling the dough balls first in granulated sugar and then generously in powdered sugar before baking is the trick. Also, chilling the dough and not overbaking helps create that beautiful crackled finish.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting your regular all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend suitable for baking, you can make delicious gluten-free chocolate crinkle cookies. Just check the blend for xanthan gum or add it if needed for the best texture.
Are these cookies chewy or crunchy?
They’re wonderfully soft and fudgy on the inside with a slightly crisp, crackled exterior. The balance makes each bite indulgent without being overly dense or hard.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe is such a joyful treat to make and even more delightful to share. Between the fudgy, chocolate-packed centers and the snowy, crinkled tops, these cookies bring a warm hug of comfort in every bite. I can’t recommend enough giving this recipe a try — whether you’re baking for the holidays or just a sweet craving, they’re guaranteed to brighten any day.
Print
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 26 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, and coated in a perfect crackled powdered sugar crust. Featuring a chocolatey dough studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips, these cookies have a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center and a beautiful crinkled appearance that makes them ideal for cookie trays or holiday baking. Chilling the dough enhances the flavors and texture, ensuring every bite is decadently delicious.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup granulated sugar (divided from total)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Coating
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (remaining from total)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine wet ingredients and sugar: In a medium mixing bowl, beat together the melted and cooled butter, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and the cocoa powder until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the 2 large eggs and vanilla extract to the bowl and beat well until the mixture is fully combined and slightly glossy.
- Mix dry ingredients: Sift together the baking powder and all-purpose flour, then gradually mix the dry ingredients into the chocolate butter mixture until just combined.
- Incorporate chocolate chips: Beat in the semi-sweet chocolate chips ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Chill the dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Chilling firms up the sticky dough making it easier to handle and it improves the cookie’s texture and appearance.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
- Form cookie balls: Scoop even-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll them between your hands to form smooth balls.
- Coat cookie balls: Roll each ball first in the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar, then roll in powdered sugar until fully coated. This dual coating creates the iconic crinkle effect during baking.
- Arrange on baking sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced 2-3 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. They will spread slightly and develop a crackled powdered sugar surface while remaining soft and just set in the center.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to achieve the signature crackled surface and soft interior; don’t skip or shorten this step.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies to ensure uniform baking.
- For extra richness, you can substitute some of the butter with an equal amount of vegetable oil.
- Cookies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- To make the cookies thicker, chill the dough longer or bake slightly less time, adjusting as needed.
