These Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are soft and turn out picture-perfect! The super easy dough make these the best Christmas cookies for your holiday baking!
Chocolate Crinkles are one of my favorite Christmas cookies. An extra-soft, chewy, fudgy cookie that’s dipped in powdered sugar before baking – what’s not to love?!
And they are so easy to make pretty: All you have to do is make sure the powdered sugar coating is thick enough before baking, and they’ll crinkle and become all beautiful during baking.
My mom used to make these every year when I was a kid, only she dipped them in granulated sugar vs powdered sugar for the crunch. She was wrong (sorry, Mom!). The powdered sugar coating is the best!
Watch the recipe video
These chocolate crinkles
- are incredibly easy to make!
- come out wonderfully soft and chewy
- have the perfect cracked pattern
- are wonderful for cookie swaps
- many readers have reported winning cookie contests with these!
Ingredients you’ll need
This is just an overview of the ingredients you’ll need (great as a visual guide at the store!). Scroll down to the recipe for exact quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Cocoa powder: Make sure to use the unsweetened kind. I used regular, but many readers have told me they used Dutch processed successfully.
- Butter: You can use stick margarine in place of the butter. Please do not use buttery spread or a spreadable margarine. I do not recommend using oil in place of the butter.
- Powdered sugar: I do not recommend using organic powdered sugar without anti-caking ingredients for these. I always get the regular powdered sugar to make sure it’s completely powdery and coats the cookie dough evenly.
How to make chocolate crinkle cookies
1) Cream the butter, sugar and vanilla together.
2) Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat in until 3) just combined.
4) Combine dry ingredients and 5) add to egg mixture.
6) Slowly mix until dough forms – chill one hour.
7) Shape dough into balls and 8) roll in powdered sugar.
9) Place the cookie dough spread out on baking sheets and bake.
Recipe tips
Cookie size
To make larger cookies, use 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. They will bake in 12-15 minutes.
To make smaller cookies, use 1 generous tablespoon of dough per cookie. They will bake in around 10 minutes.
Baking time
The exact baking times will depend on your oven and how hot it runs, so remember to check on your cookies frequently.
Don’t overbake or they will be hard – they’ll be soft like pudding when you take them out of the oven, but they’ll firm up as they cool! If you overbake, they will be tough AND they will not sink back down to reveal their beautiful crinkle pattern.
Dough
- When beating in the eggs, only do them for max 10 seconds each, otherwise they will get too frothy and your cookies will blow up too much in the oven.
- Yes, it’s a sticky dough, and even after chilling it will start sticking to your palms – that’s normal. Just wash your hands after every few cookies you rolled and it will be fine.
- Make sure you stick to the ingredient amounts the recipe calls for. Otherwise the dough could be too sticky to ever roll, or you could end up with dry cookies.
Powdered sugar
Make sure you coat the cookies with a thick, even layer of powdered sugar without any gaps – that’s the only way to get that beautiful look!
How to make taller/softer crinkles
If you prefer your chocolate crinkles tall and soft, here are a few ways to achieve it:
- chill the dough for a longer amount of time
- place the cookie dough balls on a chilled baking sheet
- bake the cookie dough balls straight after rolling them without letting them come to room temperature first
- let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes without touching them before transferring them to a cooling rack
How to make your crinkle cookies more chewy
If you want your chocolate crinkles to be a little denser and more fudgy (that’s how I love them!), here’s what to do:
- chill the dough just as long as neededplace the cookie dough balls on a room temperature baking sheet
- let the cookie dough balls stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking
- if the cookies are still very tall when they come out of the oven, you can gently press them down with the bottom of a drinking glass – you just have to do it RIGHT as you take them out!
Storage tips
On the counter: The crinkle cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days.
In the freezer: If you want to keep the cookies for longer, they freeze well for up to 3 months (see blow).
Freezer instructions
To freeze unbaked dough:
It’s easy to freeze the rolled cookie dough balls (don’t dip them in sugar though!). Freeze on a lined baking sheet in a single layer until firm (about 2 hours, then transfer to freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months.
To bake, just take as many balls as you want to make from the freezer and let sit on a plate on the counter for 30 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar and bake.
To freeze baked cookies:
Place the cooled cookies in layers in freezer containers, separating layers with baking parchment. Label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months).
To defrost, put them on a wire rack and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Do not let them sit in the container or on a plate, or they will get soggy.
If you want warm, freshly-baked cookie flavors, you can place the thawed cookies on a baking sheet and warm them at 275°C for 5-6 minutes.
More chocolate cookies
PS If you try this recipe, please leave a review in the comment section and add a star rating in the recipe card – I appreciate your feedback! Follow along on Pinterest, Facebook or Instagram.
Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Recipe details
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder I recommend sifting it if it is very lumpy
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅓ cup butter softened
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients: Combine cocoa powder, flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream wet ingredients: Place butter, sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix on medium-low speed just until combined – about 10 seconds each.
- Make cookie dough: Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix on low speed until incorporated.
- Chill cookie dough: Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 1 hour or up to overnight (the longer you chill, the thicker the cookies will be).
- Roll cookies: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the powdered sugar in a medium bowl. Roll the dough into tablespoon-sized balls and cover them well with the sugar.
- Bake cookies: Place on a lined baking sheet with enough space between them (bake in batches) and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until spread and crackled. Cookies will still be soft, so let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
Baking tips
Cookie size: To make larger cookies, use 2 tablespoons of dough per cookie. They will bake in 12-15 minutes. To make smaller cookies, use 1 generous tablespoon of dough per cookie. They will bake in around 10 minutes. Baking Time: The exact baking times will depend on your oven and how hot it runs, so remember to check on your cookies frequently. Do not overbake. Dough:- do not overheat the eggs or the cookies may be tough
- dough will be sticky, that’s normal
- it helps to slightly dampen hands OR cover them liberally with powdered sugar when rolling cookies
How to make taller/softer crinkles:
If you prefer your chocolate crinkles tall and soft, here are a few ways to achieve it:- chill the dough for a longer amount of time
- place the cookie dough balls on a chilled baking sheet
- bake the cookie dough balls straight after rolling them without letting them come to room temperature first
- let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes without touching them before transferring them to a cooling rack
How to make your crinkle cookies more chewy:
If you want your chocolate crinkles to be a little denser and more fudgy (that’s how I love them!), here’s what to do:- chill the dough just as long as neededplace the cookie dough balls on a room temperature baking sheet
- let the cookie dough balls stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking
- if the cookies are still very tall when they come out of the oven, you can gently press them down with the bottom of a drinking glass – you just have to do it RIGHT as you take them out!
Storage tips
On the counter: The crinkle cookies stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for about 3-4 days. In the freezer: If you want to keep the cookies for longer, they freeze well for up to 3 months (see blow).Freezer Instructions
To freeze unbaked dough: Freeze rolled cookie dough (do not dip in powdered sugar!) on a lined baking sheet in a single layer until firm (about 2 hours), then transfer to freezer bags and freeze for up to 2 months. To bake, just take as many balls as you want to make from the freezer and let sit on a plate on the counter for 30 minutes, then roll in powdered sugar and bake. To freeze baked cookies: Place the cooled cookies in layers in freezer containers, separating layers with baking parchment. Label with the name and use-by date (freeze for up to 3 months). To defrost, put them on a wire rack and let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Do not let them sit in the container or on a plate, or they will get soggy. If you want warm, freshly-baked cookie flavors, you can place the thawed cookies on a baking sheet and warm them at 275°C for 5-6 minutes.More recipe information
This is one of the cookies we usually leave out for Santa, and he takes his with a mug of Hot Chocolate and a Snickerdoodle on the side 🎅🏼😉
I hope you’ll love these as much as we do! Enjoy!
Recipe first shared on December 3rd 2018. Updated to make the post more helpful on 07/14/2020 (recipe unchanged and as good as ever!).
Deborah D says
I made these. They are delicious!
anna says
You need to put the oven temperature on the first line.
Nora says
Anna, the oven temperature is right there in step 5. You do not need it on the first line, as you will need to chill the dough for 1 hour. If I put the oven temperature in step 1, novice bakers might have their ovens running for way too long, which is a huge waste. I write my recipes for everyone, not just experienced bakers, so I hope you’ll understand my decision to add it to the recipe where it makes the most sense.
Abby says
Nora, your directions are very clear and easy to follow!
Gwendolyn says
Agree. I would have started preheating before seeing the ‘chill for one hour’ line if the temp was in step one. Some people need to learn to not be so self absorbed and be grateful they have recipes like this for free to use! Delicious cookies, great instructions.
Moey says
Wonderful detailed instructions. I was worried because I didn’t have my mixers and had to improvise. Everyone loved them and I had to make my own icing sugar too. Thank you!!
Nora says
I’m so happy to hear this, Moey!
Kim says
Hi, is salted or unsalted butter used in this cookie recipe?
Nora says
Kim, I use unsalted butter.
Nina Wininger says
These cookies are awesome I had fun making them 😊
Nora says
I’m so glad, Nina!
Laura says
Easy and delicious. Don’t overtake for a nice chew. And don’t skimp on the powdered sugar.
Christine says
These came out perfect!!!
Nora says
I’m so glad, Christine!
Michele says
❤️Amazing recipe!! We now have a new and fun family, Christmas tradition! Thank you!
Sarah says
I don’t see anywhere that it says how many cookies (or at least a range) that this recipe makes…am I missing that? Making for a cookie swap and need to calculate how many batches to make.
Nora says
Sarah, it’s right at the top of the recipe card. Around 32 cookies – hope this helps!
Trisha says
made these twice. it’s like eating a brownie cookie. the dough is very very thick and heavy.
kim josepj says
Had never made crinkle cookies. I compared a couple different recipes and decided to go with yours. Turned out so good! Thank u!
Cynthia says
Amazing! I included this in the assorted cookie tins that we gave away for Christmas and everyone has commented how good these were! I dread baking too so to hear that everyone liked these was definitely encouraging.
Lindsay says
Made these ahead for Christmas and just baked a few for now. They are DELICIOUS! Thanks for the recipe. My 5 year-old renamed them “chocolate snowballs.” 🙂
Nadia says
Made these cookies for the first time and they are delicious and so pretty. Will definitely will making them again!
Annmarie says
Beautiful and delicious!
Karen says
So delish, chocolaty, chewy and quite easy to make! Ready for family company for Christmas!
Emilee says
These are the best crinkle cookies I have ever eaten!
Britt says
These are fantastic kids said they were the best cookies they have ever had😃 will definitely make again soon! Thanks.
Nora says
I’m so glad, Britt!
Tina says
These turned out great!
The tips you gave were very helpful.
Nora says
I’m so glad, Tina!
Patricia Woodruff says
Superb cookies! So delish that I had to put in the freezer so I wouldn’t keep eating them. So lovely to look at. Perfect for Holidays but good anytime. Thanks for a fool-proof recipe.
Nora says
Haha, Patricia! I just packed up three different kinds of cookies for the freezer, because I kept eating them. So glad you enjoyed the Crinkles, they are a favorite of mine.
Sarah says
I was wondering if salted butter or unsalted butter is best for this recipe ☺️
Nora says
Unsalted butter is what I always use for these, Sarah. Hope this helps!
Gloria says
So delicious, thx for the recipe, it really was quick and easy!
Eleni says
Perfection!!! I highly recommend it!!! Super easy & super yummy!!!!
Claire says
I LOVE this recipe! It’s probably my favorite chocolate cookie recipe! Totally recomend it!
Fabiana Silva says
Amazing recipe!! Have made it more than once. Definitely a keeper!!!