Print

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

4.9 from 93 reviews

Delight in these rich, fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies featuring a crackly powdered sugar coating that beautifully contrasts the soft, chewy interior. Perfect for any occasion, these cookies deliver intense cocoa flavor with a tender texture, made easy with simple pantry ingredients and baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

Crinkle Topping

  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the granulated sugar and powdered sugar each in separate shallow bowls for rolling the cookie dough balls later.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients and Oil. In a large bowl, combine the unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and the light olive or avocado oil using a wooden spoon until fully incorporated and smooth.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla. Crack in the eggs and pour in the vanilla extract. Mix until just combined to maintain a tender texture in the dough.
  4. Add Leavening and Flour. Sprinkle in the baking powder, salt, and the all-purpose flour. Stir the mixture until a stiff dough forms and all ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Shape Dough Balls. Using a cookie dough scoop, portion the dough into approximately 1 1/2 inch balls. If the dough is too sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling.
  6. Coat the Dough Balls. Roll each dough ball first lightly in the granulated sugar, then generously coat it with powdered sugar, ensuring an even coverage for the signature crinkle effect.
  7. Bake the Cookies. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies crackle and the edges have set.
  8. Cool on Sheet. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 to 10 minutes; they will firm up during this time.
  9. Transfer to Wire Rack. Move the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • Baking Tips: Bake the cookies until the tops develop the classic crinkle or crackly texture and the edges appear set. Slight under-baking is okay as cooling will finish the firming process.
  • Storage Tips: Store cookies at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container or bag, taking care to prevent moisture from affecting the tops to maintain texture and flavor, for up to 3 months.

Keywords: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Fudgy Cookies, Cocoa Cookies, Easy Chocolate Cookie Recipe, Holiday Cookies