π Introduction
When you want a cookie thatβs soft, rich, deeply chocolatey, and melts in your mouth like a fudgy brownie, these Soft Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are the ultimate treat. They combine everything people love about classic chocolate crinkles β snowy powdered sugar, dramatic cracked tops, and soft centers β but with an upgraded twist: extra chocolate.
With cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips folded into the dough, these cookies deliver double the flavor, double the richness, and double the fudgy goodness. Every bite is soft, tender, warm, and full of gooey chocolate pockets. The outside is coated in powdered sugar for that iconic snowy Christmas look, while the inside stays perfectly soft and brownie-like.
These cookies are perfect for Christmas, winter gatherings, dessert platters, holiday parties, cozy nights in, and high-performing Pinterest content. They look beautiful, taste incredible, and stay soft for days thanks to the butter-rich dough and chocolate chip melt.
Letβs make the softest, fudgiest double chocolate crinkles ever!
π§° Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Silicone spatula
- Whisk
- Baking trays
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Plastic wrap
- Small bowl for confectionersβ sugar
π Ingredients
Fresh Ingredients
- 1 Large egg
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 5/8 cup Unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon Baking soda
- 11/16 cup Granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown sugar (packed, light or dark)
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Confectionersβ sugar (for rolling)
Chocolate Add-Ins
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips (mini or regular)
Flavorings
- 1 teaspoon Pure vanilla extract
Dairy
- 1 cup (113 g) Unsalted butter, softened
π©βπ³ Directions
Step 1: Cream the Butter & Sugars
In a large bowl, beat together:
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
Mix for 2β3 minutes until light, creamy, and fluffy.
This step creates the soft, rich foundation of the cookie.
Step 2: Add Egg & Vanilla
Add the egg and vanilla extract.
Beat until fully combined.
Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Ensure the mixture is lump-free and evenly chocolatey.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture.
Use a spatula or mixer on low to combine until a thick dough forms.
The dough will be soft and chocolate-rich β perfect for fudgy cookies.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
Fold gently to distribute evenly.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for 1 hour (minimum) or up to overnight.
Chilling ensures:
- Thick cookies
- Beautiful crinkles
- Fudgy centers
- Perfect shape
Step 7: Prepare for Baking
Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
Line baking trays with parchment paper.
Place confectionersβ sugar into a shallow bowl.
Step 8: Shape the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls.
Roll each ball smooth in your hands.
Coat generously β very generously β in confectionersβ sugar.
A thick coating creates dramatic snowy crinkles.
Step 9: Bake
Place dough balls on baking trays, spacing them evenly.
Bake for 10β12 minutes, or until:
- Tops crack beautifully
- Edges are set
- Centers still look soft and fudgy
Remove from oven before they look fully baked β they firm up as they cool.
Step 10: Cool & Enjoy
Let cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes.
Transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
Enjoy warm for maximum fudginess!
π½οΈ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 18β22 cookies
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 60 minutes
- Bake Time: 10β12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
π§ Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5β6 days
They stay soft the whole time thanks to the chocolate chips & butter.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Bake frozen dough with +2 minutes.
Reheating
Warm a cookie for 6β8 seconds in the microwave for gooey centers.
π₯ Variations
1. Triple Chocolate Crinkles
Add white chocolate chips for three layers of chocolate.
2. Mocha Fudgy Crinkles
Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder.
3. Peppermint Double Chocolate Cookies
Add a touch of peppermint extract + crushed candy canes.
4. Salted Double Chocolate Crinkles
Sprinkle sea salt on top right after baking.
5. Walnut Double Chocolate Cookies
Add chopped walnuts for crunchy winter texture.
6. Marshmallow Crinkles
Press one mini marshmallow in the center before baking.
β 10 FAQs
1. Why didnβt my crinkles crack?
Dough wasnβt chilled enough. Chill at least 1 hour.
2. Why did the powdered sugar melt?
You need a thicker coating β roll twice if needed.
3. Why are my cookies flat?
Warm dough or softened butter too soft β chill longer.
4. Can I use dark cocoa powder?
Yes β it makes them richer and darker.
5. How do I keep them soft?
Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread or marshmallow.
6. Can kids help make these?
Yes β rolling dough balls in sugar is perfect for kids.
7. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
8. Why are my cookies dry?
Overbaking. Remove early β fudgy centers are key.
9. Can I double the recipe?
Yes β perfect for Christmas baking batches.
10. Can I add nuts or candy?
Absolutely β they pair perfectly with chocolate.
π Conclusion
These Soft Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Fudgy Centers are the ultimate upgrade to the classic chocolate crinkle. With extra chocolate chips, deep cocoa richness, and melt-in-your-mouth centers, these cookies deliver the perfect mix of cozy winter comfort and irresistible indulgence.
Theyβre beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and perfect for Christmas dessert tables, cookie boxes, winter snacking, and food-blogging content. Once you make them, theyβll become one of your signature holiday recipes β guaranteed.

Soft Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Fudgy Centers
Method
- In a large bowl, beat together:
- Softened butter
- Granulated sugar
- Brown sugar
- Mix for 2β3 minutes until light, creamy, and fluffy.
- This step creates the soft, rich foundation of the cookie.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract.
- Beat until fully combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Ensure the mixture is lump-free and evenly chocolatey.
- Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture.
- Use a spatula or mixer on low to combine until a thick dough forms.
- The dough will be soft and chocolate-rich β perfect for fudgy cookies.
- Add the semi-sweet chocolate chips.
- Fold gently to distribute evenly.
- Cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate for 1 hour (minimum) or up to overnight.
- Chilling ensures:
- Thick cookies
- Beautiful crinkles
- Fudgy centers
- Perfect shape
- Preheat oven to 350Β°F (175Β°C).
- Line baking trays with parchment paper.
- Place confectionersβ sugar into a shallow bowl.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls.
- Roll each ball smooth in your hands.
- Coat generously β very generously β in confectionersβ sugar.
- A thick coating creates dramatic snowy crinkles.
- Place dough balls on baking trays, spacing them evenly.
- Bake for 10β12 minutes, or until:
- Tops crack beautifully
- Edges are set
- Centers still look soft and fudgy
- Remove from oven before they look fully baked β they firm up as they cool.
- Let cookies cool on the baking tray for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
- Enjoy warm for maximum fudginess!
Notes
Room Temperature Store in an airtight container for 5β6 days
They stay soft the whole time thanks to the chocolate chips & butter. Freezer Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Bake frozen dough with +2 minutes. Reheating Warm a cookie for 6β8 seconds in the microwave for gooey centers. π₯ Variations
1. Triple Chocolate Crinkles Add white chocolate chips for three layers of chocolate. 2. Mocha Fudgy Crinkles Add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder. 3. Peppermint Double Chocolate Cookies Add a touch of peppermint extract + crushed candy canes. 4. Salted Double Chocolate Crinkles Sprinkle sea salt on top right after baking. 5. Walnut Double Chocolate Cookies Add chopped walnuts for crunchy winter texture. 6. Marshmallow Crinkles Press one mini marshmallow in the center before baking. β 10 FAQs
1. Why didnβt my crinkles crack? Dough wasnβt chilled enough. Chill at least 1 hour. 2. Why did the powdered sugar melt? You need a thicker coating β roll twice if needed. 3. Why are my cookies flat? Warm dough or softened butter too soft β chill longer. 4. Can I use dark cocoa powder? Yes β it makes them richer and darker. 5. How do I keep them soft? Store in an airtight container with a slice of bread or marshmallow. 6. Can kids help make these? Yes β rolling dough balls in sugar is perfect for kids. 7. Can I make them gluten-free? Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. 8. Why are my cookies dry? Overbaking. Remove early β fudgy centers are key. 9. Can I double the recipe? Yes β perfect for Christmas baking batches. 10. Can I add nuts or candy? Absolutely β they pair perfectly with chocolate. π Conclusion These Soft Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Fudgy Centers are the ultimate upgrade to the classic chocolate crinkle. With extra chocolate chips, deep cocoa richness, and melt-in-your-mouth centers, these cookies deliver the perfect mix of cozy winter comfort and irresistible indulgence. Theyβre beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, and perfect for Christmas dessert tables, cookie boxes, winter snacking, and food-blogging content. Once you make them, theyβll become one of your signature holiday recipes β guaranteed.
