Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies have been gracing holiday trays for a long time. If you have never tried one before, they are basically brownies in the form of cookies. They have an awesome gooey texture and a cute layer of powdered sugar on top. YUM!

My boys LOVE helping me make these cookies. They go into the oven covered in powdered sugar and when they come out, they have these little “crinkles” and cracks of sugar on top that make them look wintry and snow-capped. For this, my boys have dubbed them “magic” cookies. Their next trick? Disappearing off the plate within minutes!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Like I said above, these cookies are quite similar in taste to brownies. They are soft and moist on the inside and the outside has this nice, crispy crunch. I love these cookies because they actually get better as they get a little stale. The outer layer just gets crunchier, while the center stays so gooey. Yes, indeed, they have the best of both cookie worlds…

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies were invented by Helen Fredell in St. Paul, Minnesota in the early half of the 20th Century. In Betty Crocker’s book, “Cooky Carnival,” Crocker talks about being served these cookies at Mrs. Fredell’s home and begging for the recipe. Thank the heavens she did, because now we all get to enjoy them! 

The reason the cookies crinkle is due to the use of cold dough. Once you make your dough mixture, you will refrigerate it for at least four hours or overnight. You will then coat your cold dough balls completely (I mean it, don’t skimp here) in powdered sugar (also called confectioner’s sugar) and bake them in the oven. During the baking process, the cold dough will expand and cause the sugar to create those signature crinkles. 

Steps to Make Crinkle Cookies

Making Chocolate Crinkle Cookies is seamless and easy. Don’t be intimidated by their appearance! As long as you follow the recipe steps, the turn-out will always be perfect. Here’s how to do it: 

• Combine all the ingredients together for the dough.
• Let it chill in the fridge for four hours or overnight. This step is super important. Using chilled dough is a must!  
• Shape the dough into balls using a melon baller or your hands. 
• Roll the dough in powdered sugar and cover it completely.
• Pop them in the oven for 12 minutes, or until the hard outer shell forms.
• Enjoy them fresh out of the oven or add them to your holiday trays! 

Best Chocolate for Crinkle Cookies

For Crinkle Cookies, you are going to use dark chocolate. I would recommend using the very best chocolate chips or baking chocolate you can find! This is where the majority of the flavor will come from, so treat yourself. Snag some high-quality dark (or semi-sweet if you must) chocolate. 

Can Chocolate Crinkle Cookies be Frozen?

Since you will be using cold dough, you are probably wondering if it would be okay to go ahead and freeze your dough balls for later use. You’re on the right track! Freeze your dough balls for up to 2 months in an airtight container. When you are ready to bake, remove them from the freezer and allow them to thaw for 30 minutes in the fridge before rolling them in powdered sugar. Bake according to instructions. 

Other Chocolate Cookie Recipes:

• Chocolate Salami
• Chocolate Mocha Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies

Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Print Pin

Servings

30 cookies

Prep Time 45 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a holiday staple. They are rich, chocolatey and just melt in your mouth.

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 225 g dark chocolate
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cup flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for dipping

US Units – Metric

Instructions

• Chop the butter and chocolate and melt it in the microwave until it's smooth. Heat the chocolate carefully by checking and mixing it often.
  
• Blend eggs with sugar until it has tripled in quantity and the liquid is pretty thick; about 15 minutes. In small portions, mix in chocolate (room temperature) into the eggs, add vanilla extract, mix well.
  
• Sift flour. Add salt and baking powder and mix it up. In small amounts, add your flour mixture to egg mixture. Cover up the bowl and let it sit in a refrigerator for at least 4 hours, you can even leave it overnight. The dough should turn out with a pretty hard texture.
  
• Out of dough, make a small sound shape. Make sure to work quick with cold dough, otherwise, it will become sticky and you will need to put it back into the fridge. Dip the cookie into powdered sugar.
  
• Bake them at 350 °F degrees for 12-20 minutes, until the outside has a hard shell, but inside still feels soft, all depending on the size of the cookie I would suggest checking on them after 12 minutes. (Don't overbake the cookies or they will come out dry)
  

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Amount Per Serving

Calories 106 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 3g15%

Cholesterol 15mg5%

Sodium 39mg2%

Potassium 85mg2%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 2g4%

Vitamin A 65IU1%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.