🎉 Introduction
Nothing says Christmas baking like a tray of warm, snowy, crackle-topped Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. These cookies are a timeless holiday classic, loved for their rich cocoa flavor, soft brownie-like centers, and festive powdered-sugar coating that makes them look like tiny snow-covered mountains. They’re cozy, charming, and full of holiday spirit — the kind of cookie that feels like Christmas in every bite.
Unlike traditional chocolate cookies, crinkles puff up and break open as they bake, creating beautiful wintery cracks that reveal the deep chocolate inside. The contrast between the dark, fudgy dough and the snowy powdered sugar makes these cookies one of the most visually striking treats on any holiday platter.
This Christmas version uses simple pantry-friendly ingredients: cocoa powder for rich flavor, a mix of brown and white sugar for moisture, oil for softness, and vanilla for warmth. The dough chills into a perfect scoopable texture and bakes into soft, rich, melt-in-your-mouth cookies that stay fudgy days after baking.
Whether you’re preparing Christmas dessert trays, holiday cookie boxes, or festive Pinterest content, these Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are guaranteed to be a hit. Let’s bake some holiday magic!
🧰 Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Silicone spatula
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Shallow bowl for powdered sugar
🛒 Ingredients
Fresh Ingredients
- 2 Eggs
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup Powdered sugar (for rolling)
- ½ cup Granulated white sugar
- ¼ cup Brown sugar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Flavoring
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Fat
- ¼ cup Vegetable oil
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
Whisk until smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
Whisk until fully combined and lump-free.
Step 3: Form the Dough
Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
Fold with a spatula until a thick, sticky chocolate dough forms.
It will be soft — that’s exactly how it should be for fudgy crinkles.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
Chilling is essential because it:
- Firms the dough
- Prevents spreading
- Creates bold snowy cracks
- Enhances fudgy centers
Step 5: Preheat the Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Step 6: Shape the Cookies
Place powdered sugar in a bowl.
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form dough balls.
Roll each ball in powdered sugar until heavily coated.
The thicker the coating, the more dramatic the crinkles.
Step 7: Bake
Place coated dough balls on trays, leaving space to expand.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until:
- Cracks appear on the surface
- Edges are set
- Centers look slightly soft
Do NOT overbake — fudgy centers are the goal.
Step 8: Cool
Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
Then transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Enjoy warm, soft, and snowy — perfect Christmas magic!
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 18–22 cookies
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5 days — they stay fudgy inside!
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Microwave baked cookies for 6–7 seconds for warm fudgy centers.
🥄 Variations
1. Peppermint Christmas Crinkles
Add crushed candy canes or peppermint extract.
2. Double Chocolate Crinkles
Add chocolate chips to the dough.
3. Christmas Sprinkle Crinkles
Mix in red & green sprinkles before rolling.
4. Spiced Holiday Crinkles
Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy flavor.
5. Orange Chocolate Crinkles
Add orange zest for a festive citrus twist.
6. Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Crinkles
Press a mini marshmallow into the top before baking.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my cookies crack?
The dough wasn’t cold enough — chill at least one hour.
2. Why did my powdered sugar melt?
Use a very thick coating and roll twice if needed.
3. Can I replace oil with butter?
Oil makes them softer and fudgier — recommended.
4. Why are my cookies dry?
Overbaking. Remove while centers look soft.
5. Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
6. Can kids help with this recipe?
Yes — rolling in powdered sugar is fun and easy.
7. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — great for Christmas batch baking.
8. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Dough was too warm. Chill longer.
9. How do I get bigger cracks?
Use colder dough + thicker powdered sugar coating.
10. Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes — refrigerate up to 48 hours before baking.
🏁 Conclusion
These Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies bring the true spirit of the holidays to your kitchen — soft, fudgy, snowy, and beautifully festive. With their deep cocoa flavor, iconic crackled tops, and melt-in-your-mouth centers, they’re the perfect cookie for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, dessert platters, and cozy winter nights.
They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to become one of your holiday favorites. Whether you’re baking for your family, preparing Pinterest content, or building Christmas cookie boxes, these cookies always deliver rich flavor and warm holiday joy.
Bake a batch, share the magic, and enjoy the taste of Christmas!
Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Snow-Dusted Holiday Treats
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Ingredients
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Discover more than 1700+ delicious recipes you can cook at home. Easy, step-by-step instructions with new recipes added every day.
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Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk together:
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Whisk until smooth, glossy, and slightly thickened.
- In another bowl, whisk:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Whisk until fully combined and lump-free.
- Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
- Fold with a spatula until a thick, sticky chocolate dough forms.
- It will be soft — that’s exactly how it should be for fudgy crinkles.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
- Chilling is essential because it:
- Firms the dough
- Prevents spreading
- Creates bold snowy cracks
- Enhances fudgy centers
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Place powdered sugar in a bowl.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form dough balls.
- Roll each ball in powdered sugar until heavily coated.
- The thicker the coating, the more dramatic the crinkles.
- Place coated dough balls on trays, leaving space to expand.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until:
- Cracks appear on the surface
- Edges are set
- Centers look slightly soft
- Do NOT overbake — fudgy centers are the goal.
- Let cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
- Then transfer them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Enjoy warm, soft, and snowy — perfect Christmas magic!
Notes
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container for 5 days — they stay fudgy inside! Freezer Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months. Reheating Microwave baked cookies for 6–7 seconds for warm fudgy centers. 🥄 Variations
1. Peppermint Christmas Crinkles Add crushed candy canes or peppermint extract. 2. Double Chocolate Crinkles Add chocolate chips to the dough. 3. Christmas Sprinkle Crinkles Mix in red & green sprinkles before rolling. 4. Spiced Holiday Crinkles Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy flavor. 5. Orange Chocolate Crinkles Add orange zest for a festive citrus twist. 6. Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Crinkles Press a mini marshmallow into the top before baking. ❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my cookies crack? The dough wasn’t cold enough — chill at least one hour. 2. Why did my powdered sugar melt? Use a very thick coating and roll twice if needed. 3. Can I replace oil with butter? Oil makes them softer and fudgier — recommended. 4. Why are my cookies dry? Overbaking. Remove while centers look soft. 5. Can I make them gluten-free? Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour. 6. Can kids help with this recipe? Yes — rolling in powdered sugar is fun and easy. 7. Can I double the recipe? Absolutely — great for Christmas batch baking. 8. Why did my cookies spread too much? Dough was too warm. Chill longer. 9. How do I get bigger cracks? Use colder dough + thicker powdered sugar coating. 10. Can I make the dough ahead? Yes — refrigerate up to 48 hours before baking. 🏁 Conclusion These Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies bring the true spirit of the holidays to your kitchen — soft, fudgy, snowy, and beautifully festive. With their deep cocoa flavor, iconic crackled tops, and melt-in-your-mouth centers, they’re the perfect cookie for Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, dessert platters, and cozy winter nights. They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and guaranteed to become one of your holiday favorites. Whether you’re baking for your family, preparing Pinterest content, or building Christmas cookie boxes, these cookies always deliver rich flavor and warm holiday joy. Bake a batch, share the magic, and enjoy the taste of Christmas!
