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A stack of five chocolate crinkle cookies with a powdered sugar coating, placed on a light surface.

Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are the perfect mix of rich, chocolatey goodness and soft, fudgy texture—all wrapped up in a powdered sugar coating that gives them a gorgeous, crinkly look. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have cookies that look impressive but are so easy to make. They’re ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday get-together or a cozy evening at home. These cookies are an absolute crowd-pleaser, and you might just find yourself making them again and again!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Chill: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 27 minutes
Course: cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Servings: 36
Calories: 54kcal
Author: Mandy Applegate

Equipment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium mixing bowl, stir together cocoa powder, sugar, and vegetable oil until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until each is fully incorporated, then stir in the vanilla extract.
    ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup white sugar, ¼ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until fully combined.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each in confectioners' sugar to coat. Place the dough balls about 1 inch apart on a lined baking sheet.
    ¼ cup confectioner's sugar
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes, until cookies are set but still soft in the center. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • 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!

Nutrition

Calories: 54kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 32mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 0.4mg
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