Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Snow-Dusted Holiday Treats

Adam

Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Fudgy & Snow-Dusted Holiday Treats

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!

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Prep Time 10

bake & Chill Time 1 10

Total Time 1 20

Servings: 22 cookies

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

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

Method

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!

Notes

🧊 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!