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Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are the perfect blend of chewy, fudgy and festive. While they are often associated with the holidays, these cookies are so delicious that they deserve a spot on your table year-round. With their brownie-like centers and powdered sugar crackle, they are a pantry-friendly recipe that can be made anytime.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Chewy texture with a fudgy center
Pantry staples make it easy to whip up
Holiday favorite that doubles as an everyday treat
Customizable flavors with add-ins like peppermint, espresso, or nuts

Ingredients Needed

Unsweetened cocoa powder
Granulated sugar
Vegetable shortening
Eggs
Vanilla extract
All purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt
Powdered sugar

chocolate crinkle cookie dough with unsweetened cocoa powder

What Makes the Cookies Crinkle?

The magic happens when the dough is rolled in powdered sugar before baking. As the baking powder helps the cookies expand, the surface cracks, creating the signature crinkle look. The powdered sugar also caramelizes slightly, giving a crisp exterior.

Are These Fudge Cookies?

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a cross between gooey brownies and crisp chocolate chip cookies. They deliver a fudgy bite with a rich chocolate flavor that satisfies any sweet tooth.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Powdered sugar melting: Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar first, then coat heavily with powdered sugar to prevent melting.

Flat cookies: Make sure you used baking powder, not baking soda. Chill the dough for at least four hours, and check that you added enough flour.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Mix wet ingredients together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.
Slowly add dry ingredients until combined.
Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least four hours.
Form dough into 1-inch balls and coat with confectioners’ sugar.
Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
For deeper flavor, use both cocoa powder and melted chocolate.

Tips for Success

Quality cocoa: Use the best cocoa powder you can find for richer flavor.
Don’t overmix: Stop mixing once the dough is combined to avoid tough cookies.
Chill the dough: This helps cookies hold their shape.
Set a timer: Prevent overbaking by keeping track of bake time.

Freezing and Storage

Store: Keep baked cookies in an airtight container for up to a week.
Freeze dough: Roll into balls, flash freeze, then store in freezer bags. Label with date and type.
Bake from frozen: Add a few extra minutes to the bake time.

chocolate crumble cookies — These cookies baked from frozen.

Fold in chocolate chips or chunks for extra indulgence
Add walnuts or pecans for crunch
Mix in peppermint extract or chips for a holiday twist
Sprinkle in cinnamon or chili powder for a spicy kick
Swap granulated sugar for brown sugar for deeper flavor
Add espresso powder for a coffee note

crinkle cookies covered completely in powdered sugar

Bake These Other Delicious Cookies

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Ultimate Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe for Chewy, Fudgy Cookies

Chewy chocolate crinkle cookies with fudgy brownie centers and a powdered sugar crackle. Easy pantry recipe perfect for holidays or anytime baking.

Course: Baking, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Author: Regina Sober

Equipment

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa
½ cup vegetable shortening
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ 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.