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Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Nothing says holidays like a crinkle cookie right? These are some of the best chocolate crinkle cookies you’ll eat. If brownies were to have cousins, this would be it. Slightly chewy and chocked full of chocolate. You probably have everything in your pantry to make chocolate crinkle cookies right now as it’s a pantry staple recipe.

While there are several recipes for making these from a cake mix, we think homemade are simple and allow you to know the freshness of the ingredients that is in them.

What Ingredients Are Needed?

Unsweetened cocoa powder
Sugar
Vegetable shortening
Eggs
Vanilla extract
Flour
Baking powder
Salt
Powdered sugar

chocolate crinkle cookie dough with unsweetened cocoa powder

What Makes The Cookies Crinkle?

Science! The dough is covered in powdered sugar prior to baking. As the baking powder ‘fluffs up’ the cookie for it to expand, the dough gives the appearance of cracking. The powdered sugar also gives a crispy exterior as it reacts to the heat from baking.

The Chocolate crinkle cookies are a cross between gooey fudgy brownies and a crispy chocolate chip cookie. They have delicious fudgy centers that taste like brownies.

Why Are My Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Flat?

There are few reasons this may happen. Did you add baking powder (not baking soda). If the dough was not chilled this could also be a reason. How sticky is your dough, did you use enough flour.

Why Is My Powdered Sugar Melting?

If this is happening, coat the cookies with a little granulated white sugar and then heavily powder the cookies with powedered sugar. This should prevent the powdered sugar from melting.

Mix wet ingredients together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, then slowly add dry ingredients until combined.
Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least four hours to harden the sticky dough.
Form the dough into 1-inch balls and coat each ball with confectioners’ sugar.
Bake in a 350-degree F oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Use a combination of cocoa powder and melted chocolate for an intense chocolate flavor.
Add-ins like nuts, mint, or cinnamon and chili can enhance the flavor and texture of the cookies.

refrigerated cookie dough covered in plastic wrap in a bowl

Tips for Successful Crinkle Cookies

Quality Ingredients – Use quality cocoa if you have it available. Quality ingredients impact a recipe.
Don’t overmix the dough- Over mixing can lead to tough cookies. Once the dough is blended, stop mixing.
Chill the dough – Chilling dough for at least four hours to help the cookies retain their shape when baking.
Set a timer! – Overbaking can cause the cookies to dry out. It is difficult to see if the cookies have browned. Setting a timer helps the cookies bake time be monitored.

chocolate crumble cookies — These cookies baked from frozen.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?

Yes, the crinkle cookie cookie dough can be frozen. The baked cookies can also be frozen.

How Do I Store and Freeze Cookies?

Airtight container – You can store the baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week. They will start to dry out after that and be ok to dunk in coffee or milk. If they are hard, it may be time to toss

Freezing cookies – On a baking sheet, place the cookies in a single layer in rolled balls closely together. You can flash freeze the cookie dough balls and transfer into an airtight container or freezer bag. Be sure to date and write the type of cookie for future reference.

Baking from the oven – Cookies can be baked straight from the freezer, they will need a few extra minutes. Preheat the oven before placing the cookies in the oven.

crinkle cookies covered completely in powdered sugar

Add walnuts or pecans for added texture and flavor.
Add in peppermint extract or peppermint chips for a refreshing twist.
Use a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for an mysterious taste and kick.
Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar for a richer flavor.
Want a coffee flavor? Add a Tablespoon fo espresso powder.
Add chocolate chips or chunks for a more intense chocolate flavor or add white chocolate chips.

Bake These Other Delicious Cookies

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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are little bites of fudgy goodness! With their crackled, powdered sugar coating and soft, brownie-like center, they are rich, chocolatey, and just the right amount of gooey. These cookies are a holiday classic but so delicious, you’ll want them all year round!

Course: Baking, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powered sugar for outside of cookies

Instructions

In a small bowl add the flour, baking powder and salt together and mix. and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, and cocoa powder and mix.
Add the vegetable shortening and mix into sugar mixture.
Beat eggs and slowly pour into sugar mixture.
Add the vanilla into the batter and combine.
Slowly add the flour mixture into the batter 1/2 cup at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
Once the batter has all the flour mix combined, place into a smaller bowl and cover.
Place the dough into the fridge and let set for 3-4 hours before using.
When you are ready to use the dough, preheat the oven to 350℉
Place the powdered sugar in a bowl.
Measure out a tablespoon of dough and roll into a ball.
Dip the ball entirely into the powdered sugar.
Place the ball onto the baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
Leave about 2 inches between each cookie and fill the tray.
Bake for 11-12 minutes. The cookies should ahve expanded and cracked the powdered sugar.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool before moving.
Repeat process for all the cookies.

Holiday classic: chocolate crinkle cookies-bites of fudgy goodness! A crackled, powdered sugar coating and brownie-like center.