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    Home » Type » Desserts » Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies) {video}

    Published: Nov 25, 2022 · Modified: Jun 18, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies) makes cookies that are thick and chewy like a brownie with rich chocolate flavor, and crispy outside with a powdered sugar crackle top. The best part is, this easy recipe is foolproof!

    stack of chocolate crinkle cookies

    Leaving a plate of cookies for Santa is one of those happy childhood memories that so many of us share. In my house it was usually frosted and sprinkle-decorated Christmas cutout cookies, a glass of milk, and a couple carrots for the reindeer.

    Not only are these Chocolate Crackle Cookies a great cookie to leave out for Santa, but they’re a favorite of adults and kiddos alike!

    close up of crinkle cookie with bite showing brownie like interior

    These cookies have deep, rich chocolate flavor and a chewy brownie texture. They’re crisp outside and coated in powdered sugar to get the perfect crackled look. I love the contrast between the dark chocolate inside and the white powdered sugar outside – it reminds me of a Christmas snowfall.

    This crackle cookie recipe is foolproof, just make sure to read it through in advance and don’t skip the chill time!

    plate of chocolate cookies with festive christmas ornaments around

    In This Article

    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
    • Pro Tip
    • FAQs
    • More Chocolate Cookie Recipes to Try
    • Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies)

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • These cookies are completely decadent. They’re rich and chewy with a crackled top and a brownie-like texture thanks to using oil instead of butter as the fat.
    • This is a no-fail recipe. You’ll get thick cookies with a crinkle top every single time! The trick to this is to chill the dough.
    • The crackle on these cookies is gorgeous. And our secret to this is simple: double roll the dough balls in powdered sugar!

    The Best Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

    Ingredients

    crackle cookie ingredients
    • All-purpose flour – this is the base for our cookie dough
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder – use natural (not Dutch-processed) cocoa powder here
    • Baking powder – this is our leavening agent for these cookies
    • Salt – to balance the flavor profile and enhance the flavor of everything else
    • Instant espresso powder – the slight flavor of coffee from using a tiny amount of instant espresso powder pulls out the nuanced flavor notes of chocolate, but doesn’t actually taste like coffee in these cookies
    • Egg – this acts as a binder and helps the cookie dough come together
    • Vegetable oil – in this recipe we use oil instead of butter as the fat to get a more chewy brownie-like texture
    • Granulated sugar – this is our main sweetener for these cookies
    • Light brown sugar – we use just a touch of brown sugar for caramel-like molasses notes
    • Vanilla extract – this helps enhance the flavor nuances in chocolate
    • Chocolate chips – for bursts of deep chocolate flavor
    • Powdered sugar – rolling the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar before baking is what causes the crackle tops

    Step by Step Instructions

    how to make chocolate crackle cookies
    1. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and instant espresso powder together in a medium bowl.
    2. Add the egg, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla to a large bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat until combined.
    3. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and beat just until incorporated.
    4. The batter will look wet at this point.
    5. Stir in the chocolate chips. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 45 minutes in the freezer or 4 hours in the fridge.
    6. Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silpat liner. Put the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Use a 1.5-tablespoon scoop to measure out the dough. Roll the measured dough into balls, and then roll each ball in powdered sugar. Once you’re done rolling all the dough balls once in the powdered sugar, roll them each a second time.
    7. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking tray.
    8. Bake for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 15 minutes on the tray before removing.

    Storage

    You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

    To make ahead, you can make the cookie dough and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days before baking the cookies.

    chocolate crackle cookies on metal plate with crinkled wax paper

    Pro Tip

    an edible mosaic stamp logo 1200 square

    Prior to chilling, Chocolate Crinkle Cookie dough is very soft. Don't be tempted to add more flour; the dough should be on the soft side so the cookies are chewy. After chilling, the dough will be the right consistency to bake.

    overhead view of plate of chocolate crackle cookies on wooden table with festive christmas decorations

    FAQs

    Do I Have to Chill Cookie Dough for Crackle Cookies?

    Yes! While it chills, the cookie dough stiffens to the consistency that we need for baking.

    How Do You Get a Crinkle Top on Cookies?

    The sugar coating helps create a beautiful crinkle cookie top! Don't skip the second rolling for best results.

    Also, check your baking powder to make sure it's fresh. If your leavening agent doesn't work, it won't puff the cookies the way we need it to for the crackle.

    One last tip, make sure that your oven is at the right temperature. It needs to be hot enough for the cookies to crinkle!

    Can I Double This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe?

    Yes! This recipe is very easy to double, triple, or even quadruple.

    Note that if you make a bigger batch, you might want to use a stand mixer instead of a handheld electric beater to mix the dough.

    plate of crinkle cookies with bite in one cookie showing chewy texture

    Can I Freeze Crinkle Cookies?

    Yes! You can freeze them before or after baking.

    To freeze crinkle cookie dough:

    1. Follow the recipe up until the point where you roll the dough into balls.
    2. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
    3. Put the frozen dough balls in a zip-top plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
    4. Thaw the dough balls at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.

    To freeze baked crackle cookies:

    1. Once the cookies are baked, let them cool completely.
    2. Arrange them in an airtight container layered between pieces of parchment paper.
    3. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    4. Thaw the cookies at room temperature for 1 hour before eating.
    top view of plate of chocolate crackle cookies on dark wooden table with holiday decorations

    More Chocolate Cookie Recipes to Try

    • Stuffed Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies – peanut butter truffle stuffed inside decadent chocolate cookies
    • Thin Mints – inspired by the iconic Girl Scouts cookie
    • Double Chocolate Chip Cookies – chewy, rich chocolate cookies studded with chocolate chips for a chocolate-lovers dream come true
    close up top view of plate of chocolate crinkle cookies

    Let's Connect

    an edible mosaic stamp logo 1200 square

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

    To stay up-to-date, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!

    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies)

    By: Faith Gorsky
    This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies) makes cookies that are thick and chewy like a brownie with rich chocolate flavor, and crispy outside with a powdered sugar crackle top. The best part is, this easy recipe is foolproof!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 139 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon instant espresso powder optional
    • 1 large egg
    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
    • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar lightly packed
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 5 tablespoons chocolate chips
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar sifted

    Instructions
     

    • Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, and instant espresso powder together in a medium bowl.
    • Add the egg, oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla to a large bowl. Use a handheld electric mixer to beat until combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients to the wet, and beat just until incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.
    • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill for 45 minutes in the freezer or 4 hours in the fridge.
    • Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper or a silpat liner. Put the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
    • Use a 1.5-tablespoon scoop to measure out the dough. Roll the measured dough into balls, and then roll each ball in powdered sugar. Once you’re done rolling all the dough balls once in the powdered sugar, roll them each a second time. Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking tray.
    • Bake for 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 15 minutes on the tray before removing.
    • The cookies will be soft and gooey when they first come out of the oven, but they will stiffen to the perfect consistency as they cool.

    Video

    Faith's Tips

    • Chilling the Dough: Prior to chilling, this cookie dough is very soft. Don’t be tempted to add more flour; the dough should be on the soft side so the cookies are chewy. After chilling the dough will be the right consistency to bake.
    • Storage: You can store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
    • Make Ahead: To make ahead, you can make the cookie dough and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 3 days before baking the cookies.
     

    To Freeze Crinkle Cookie Dough:

    1. Follow the recipe up until the point where you roll the dough into balls.
    2. Place the dough balls on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
    3. Put the frozen dough balls in a zip-top plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
    4. Thaw the dough balls at room temperature for 20 minutes before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.

    To Freeze Baked Crackle Cookies:

    1. Once the cookies are baked, let them cool completely.
    2. Arrange them in an airtight container layered between pieces of parchment paper.
    3. Freeze for up to 3 months.
    4. Thaw the cookies at room temperature for 1 hour before eating.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe (aka Chocolate Crackle Cookies)
    Amount Per Serving (1 cookie)
    Calories 139 Calories from Fat 45
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 5g8%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Trans Fat 0.03g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 17mg6%
    Sodium 71mg3%
    Potassium 68mg2%
    Carbohydrates 22g7%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 16g18%
    Protein 2g4%
    Vitamin A 41IU1%
    Vitamin C 0.04mg0%
    Calcium 25mg3%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Keyword Chocolate Crackle Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
    chocolate crinkle cookies recipe pin

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Christine says

      November 29, 2022 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      This looks really good!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Faith!

    I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind An Edible Mosaic. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had. Welcome to An Edible Mosaic!

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