Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a classic American treat that brings together rich, chocolatey goodness with a soft, fudgy texture. Their crinkled, powdered sugar coating adds a fun twist, making them look as good as they taste. With just a handful of basic ingredients and a little chill time, you’ll have cookies that are perfect for sharing—or keeping all to yourself.

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These cookies are one of my all-time favorites because they’re so simple to make and never fail to impress. They’re perfect for any holiday gathering, from Christmas to Thanksgiving, or just a casual get-together. Whether you’re serving them alongside savory snacks like ranch pretzels or as the star dessert, they’re sure to be a hit. With only about 15 minutes of active prep time (plus a chill in the fridge), these cookies are ready to bake up soft, fudgy, and irresistibly chocolatey.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

My steps are simple to follow, making it easy to bake perfect Chocolate Crinkle Cookies!

Combine Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and oil until it’s nice and smooth.

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract—it adds just the right hint of flavor!

Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. This makes sure everything’s evenly distributed, so each cookie is perfectly textured.

Mix the Dough and Chill

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until you have a rich dough. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least 4 hours. This is key for those iconic crinkles and makes the dough easier to handle.

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Dough

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and give each one a generous roll in confectioners’ sugar.

Line them up about 1 inch apart on a silicone baking mat or parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake and Cool

Bake for 10-12 minutes, until they’re just set but still soft in the middle.

Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Try not to eat them all in one sitting—good luck with that!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are a few of my handy tips to make these cookies even better:

• Chill the Dough: This makes the dough easier to work with and gives the cookies a beautiful crinkled look.
• Even Sizes for Even Baking: Rolling the dough balls to a consistent 1-inch size ensures each cookie bakes evenly. If they’re all the same size, they’ll finish baking at the same time—no burnt or undercooked surprises!
• Double-Coat in Sugar: For that iconic crinkly finish, give each dough ball a generous roll in confectioners’ sugar, then roll again to add an extra thick layer. This extra coating will ensure the contrast between the dark cookie and the snowy sugar is crisp and vivid.
• Watch the Bake Time: Bake until just set for a soft, fudgy center—don’t let them get too crisp.
• Let Them Cool a Bit: Cooling on the baking sheet helps the cookies firm up without breaking.
• Keep ‘Em Fresh: Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. For even longer freshness, place a slice of bread in the container with them—the bread absorbs excess moisture and keeps your cookies soft!

How to Store Leftover Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

To keep your Chocolate Crinkle Cookies soft and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh this way for up to 5 days.

For added softness, you can place a slice of bread in the container with the cookies—the bread will absorb any excess moisture, helping the cookies stay tender.

If you’d like to save some for later, these cookies freeze beautifully. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze for a few hours first; then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.

This way, they won’t stick together, and you can grab as many as you need at a time. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw at room temperature, and they’ll be as good as fresh!

My Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe

Here are a few tricks to keep your baking budget-friendly:

• Bulk Ingredients: Grab flour and sugar in bulk, especially if you bake a lot—it’ll save you in the long run.
• Affordable Cocoa: Store brands often taste just as good as premium, especially in baked goods.
• Holiday Stock-Up: Confectioners’ sugar is often on sale around the holidays, so grab extra for festive treats!