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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Cookies » Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Published: November 14, 2019 · Modified: Nov 21, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    These soft and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are a foolproof, classic holiday treat that's almost as fun to make as it is to eat! They're a delicious Christmas cookie with the texture of brownies on the inside and a crunchy, cookie crust.

    A stack of chocolate crinkle cookies on a grey surface
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    chocolate crinkle cookies

    If you haven’t had them before chocolate crinkle cookies are soft brownie-like and so rich. Some people think they’ll be crunchy or crisp because of the exterior but that isn’t the case! These are great over the holidays but you can freeze them and have a special treat whenever you have a chocolate craving. If you love chocolate cookies, then you should also check out my Chocolate Brownie Cookies, Chocolate Sugar Cookies, and double chocolate chip cookie recipe!

    What You’ll Need for This Recipe

    Ingredients to make chocolate crinkle cookies with text labels on a marble counter.

    Cocoa: I like to use a nice Dutch processed cocoa powder but you can use natural cocoa or unsweetened cocoa powder if preferred. 

    Eggs: Room temperature eggs will mix best.

    How to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    Two photos showing dry ingredients getting whisked and sugar poured into a mixer

    1. Sift the flour, salt and baking powder into a large bowl and whisk together. 

    2. Add the oil and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix until well combined.

    Two photos showing cocoa powder going into a mixer and eggs beaten into the batter

    3. Add the cocoa powder to the oil mixture and mix until combined. You can add the espresso powder now if using. 

    4. Add the eggs and vanilla in and then mix. Scrape bowl down and mix again.

    Flour poured into chocolate cookie batter and balls ofcookie dough being rolled

    5. Dump the flour mixture in and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl down and fold in any remaining pockets of flour. Chill overnight.

    6. Roll chilled dough into one inch cookie balls.

    Balls of dough being rolled in powdered sugar then placed on a baking sheet

    7. Roll the dough balls in powdered sugar.

    8. Place the cookie dough balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake until the edges are set.

    Pro Tips for this Recipe

    • Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake. The best, and easiest way to measure flour is by using a scale. If you don’t have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off.
    • Try to make the dough a day ahead, it really needs time to set up and will be so much easier to roll.
    • I actually love making chocolate crinkle cookies with olive oil instead of vegetable oil; give it a try!
    • If you’re not into cookies covered in powdered sugar or icing sugar, then try rolling them in sanding sugar. They’ll still have some visual interest and there’s no chance of inhaling sugar when you bite into them. 

    Chocolate crinkle cookies on a grey surface scattered with powdered sugar.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make crinkle cookies without a stand mixer?

    You can easily make this recipe with an electric mixer OR even do it all by hand. The oil and sugar isn’t getting whipped or anything, just mix until combined. If you’re mixing by hand then I do recommend a strong spatula though! 

    What’s the Best cocoa powder to use for these cookies?

    I love using a high-quality Dutch processed cocoa powder. Dutch processed cocoa powder is darker, less acidic, and fudgier in baked goods. You’ll usually get less rise out of it though. My go to company is Valrhona but there are lots of great brands out there including Guittard, Callebaut, Ghirardelli, and lots of organic and fair trade options too!

    Why do you have to chill the dough?

    This cookie dough really needs to rest, come together and harden in the fridge. It’s a VERY soft dough at room temperature but that’s the tradeoff for a soft rich chocolate cookie with a brownie-like texture.

    Can you make these ahead of time?

    These cookies taste best fresh out of the oven BUT you can make the dough months ahead of time and freeze it making them perfect for a holiday cookie exchange. Roll the balls out and chill them in the fridge or freezer until solid, then transfer to a sealable freezer bag and store them until ready to use. When you’re ready for cookies just thaw a few minutes while the oven heats up then roll in powdered sugar and bake! You’ll probably want to add 2 minutes to the bake time.

    If you love this recipe try these out!

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    If you’ve tried this chocolate crinkle cookie recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

    Chocolate crinkle cookies covered in powdered sugar on a grey surface.
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    5 from 607 votes

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

    These soft, fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies are a classic holiday treat that's almost as fun to make as they are to eat!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American, British
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 12 minutes
    Chill Time 8 hours
    Total Time 8 hours 27 minutes
    Servings 48 cookies
    Calories 87kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup cocoa powder 120g
    • 1 3/4 cups white granulated sugar 350g
    • 1/2 cup vegetable oil 120mL
    • 4 eggs room temperature,large
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 10mL
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour 240g
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder 8g
    • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
    • 3/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup powdered sugar 100g

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk together and set aside.
    • Add the oil and granulated sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and beat together. Scrape bowl down and mix until combined.
    • Add the cocoa powder in and mix on low scraping the bowl down halfway through. If you're using the espresso powder you can add in at this point.
    • Add the eggs and vanilla in then mix until well combined.
    • Dump the flour mixture in and mix on low. Scrape bowl down and mix until combined.
    • Cover in plastic and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours
    • Preheat oven to 350F. Use a small ice cream scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the chilled dough and roll into roughly one inch balls with your clean palms.
    • Roll dough in powdered sugar and place on parchment lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
    • Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350F. The cookies' edges will be set but the center will finish baking out of the oven.

    Video

    Notes

    • Measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour to the recipe is the most common mistake. The best, and easiest way to measure flour is by using a scale. If you don't have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, sprinkle it into your measuring cup, and use a knife to level it off.
    • Try to make the dough a day ahead, it really needs time to set up and will be so much easier to roll.
    • I actually love making these cookies with olive oil instead of vegetable oil; give it a try!
    • If you're not into cookies covered in powdered sugar try rolling them in sanding sugar. They'll still have some visual interest and there's no chance of inhaling sugar when you bit into them. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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