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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Perfectly Snow-Cracked

There’s something magical about Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Soft, fudgy, and dusted with snowy powdered sugar, these cookies look like tiny winter mountains and taste like warm chocolate brownies wrapped in a festive holiday shell. Their iconic crackled tops make them instantly recognizable, and their melt-in-your-mouth texture keeps everyone coming back for more. These cookies balance rich chocolate flavor with tender, cakey interiors that stay soft for days. The outside is coated in powdered sugar that cracks open beautifully in the oven, creating the classic “crinkle” effect that makes them one of the most beloved Christmas cookies of all time. This recipe is foolproof — simple ingredients, quick instructions, and guaranteed perfect texture. Whether you're preparing Christmas cookie boxes, hosting a holiday party, making dessert boards, or creating high-traffic Pinterest content, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies fit every holiday moment. Let’s bake the softest, fudgiest chocolate crinkles ever!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
bake & Chill Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 22 cookies
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

Fresh Ingredients
  • 2 Large eggs
Dry Ingredients
  • 1 cup All-purpose flour
  • ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup Granulated sugar
  • ½ cup Brown sugar
  • ½ cup Powdered sugar for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon Baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Salt
Flavoring
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Fat
  • ¼ cup Vegetable oil
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Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Silicone spatula
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups & spoons
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking trays
  • Parchment paper
  • Cooling rack
  • Bowl for powdered sugar

Method
 

Step 1: Mix the Wet Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together:
  2. Granulated sugar
  3. Brown sugar
  4. Eggs
  5. Vegetable oil
  6. Vanilla extract
  7. Mix until smooth and glossy.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
  1. In another bowl, whisk:
  2. Flour
  3. Cocoa powder
  4. Baking powder
  5. Salt
  6. Break up any cocoa powder clumps.
Step 3: Form the Dough
  1. Add the dry mixture into the wet mixture.
  2. Fold together with a spatula until the dough becomes thick, sticky, and chocolatey.
  3. This dough should be soft — perfect for fudgy centers.
Step 4: Chill the Dough
  1. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but 2 hours is even better.
  3. Chilling:
  4. Firms the dough
  5. Helps cookies crack beautifully
  6. Keeps centers soft and fudgy
  7. Prevents spreading
Step 5: Shape the Cookies
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Line baking trays with parchment paper.
  3. Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
  4. Scoop the dough into tablespoon-sized balls.
  5. Roll each ball in powdered sugar heavily — thick coverage means dramatic cracks.
Step 6: Bake
  1. Place cookies on baking trays, leaving room to spread.
  2. Bake for 10–12 minutes until:
  3. Tops crack open
  4. Powdered sugar stays snowy
  5. Edges are set
  6. Centers look slightly soft
  7. Do not overbake — the centers should stay tender.
Step 7: Cool
  1. Let the cookies cool on the tray for 5 minutes.
  2. Move them to a cooling rack to finish cooling.
  3. Soft, fudgy, snowy perfection!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temperature
Store in an airtight container for 5–6 days.
Freezer
Freeze baked cookies or dough balls for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Warm baked cookies for 6–7 seconds for a soft, brownie-like center.
🥄 Variations
1. Double Chocolate Crinkles
Add chocolate chips for extra fudginess.
2. Peppermint Crinkles
Add crushed peppermint candies or peppermint extract.
3. Spiced Holiday Crinkles
Add cinnamon or nutmeg for a cozy Christmas flavor.
4. White Chocolate Crinkles
Mix in white chocolate chips.
5. Red Velvet Crinkles
Replace some cocoa powder with red food coloring & extra vanilla.
6. Salted Crinkles
Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top after baking.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Why didn’t my crinkles crack?
The dough wasn’t chilled long enough.
2. Why did my powdered sugar melt?
Add a thicker layer — roll twice for a snowy finish.
3. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Chill longer or add 1–2 tbsp flour.
4. Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes, but oil makes a softer cookie.
5. Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes — use a 1:1 gluten-free flour.
6. Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — great for holiday baking.
7. Why are my cookies dry?
Overbaking — remove when centers still look soft.
8. Can I add nuts?
Yes — chopped walnuts or pecans work beautifully.
9. Do I need a mixer?
No — whisk and spatula work perfectly.
10. Can kids help?
Yes — rolling in sugar is fun and easy!
🏁 Conclusion
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are one of the most iconic Christmas cookies ever created — rich, chocolatey, snowy, and full of soft brownie-like goodness in every bite. These cookies bring warmth, nostalgia, and holiday cheer to any table, whether served for a cozy family gathering or gifted in a festive cookie box.
This recipe is simple, reliable, and absolutely delicious. With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, these cookies will quickly become one of your signature holiday recipes — a treat your audience, readers, or followers will adore year after year.
Bake them, share them, and enjoy the magic!