Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: Made with unsweetened cocoa powder, these cookies offer an intense chocolate taste that’s sure to satisfy any chocolate lover.
- Soft and Fudgy Texture: The interior remains moist and tender, providing a brownie-like experience in cookie form.
- Visually Appealing: The contrast between the dark chocolate cookie and the white powdered sugar creates an attractive, festive look.
- Simple Ingredients: Utilizing pantry staples, this recipe is straightforward and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
- 2 cups white sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine white sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vegetable oil.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in eggs one at a time until well combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Incorporate Flour Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually blend this into the cocoa mixture until fully combined.
- Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and enhancing the crinkle effect.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Form and Coat Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Generously coat each ball in confectioners’ sugar before placing them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies should be set but still soft in the center.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: This recipe yields approximately 72 cookies.
- Preparation Time: About 15 minutes (plus at least 4 hours chilling time).
- Baking Time: 10 to 12 minutes per batch.
- Total Time: Approximately 5 hours, including chilling and baking multiple batches.
Variations
- Add-ins: Incorporate chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried fruits into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Flavor Enhancements: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules to the dry ingredients to intensify the chocolate flavor.
- Peppermint Twist: Stir in a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a festive minty version.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze the unbaked dough balls (before rolling in confectioners’ sugar) on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, thaw slightly, roll in sugar, and bake as directed.
- Reheating: While these cookies are best enjoyed fresh, you can warm them in a microwave for a few seconds to restore their soft texture.
FAQs
Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil?
Yes, melted butter can be used in place of vegetable oil, which may impart a richer flavor.
Why is chilling the dough necessary?
Chilling the dough solidifies the fat, preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and enhancing the crinkle appearance.
Can I reduce the sugar in this recipe?
Reducing the sugar may affect the texture and structure of the cookies. It’s recommended to follow the recipe for best results.
How do I achieve pronounced crinkles?
Rolling the dough balls generously in confectioners’ sugar and ensuring the dough is well-chilled helps achieve prominent crinkles.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
Are these cookies suitable for freezing?
Yes, both the dough and the baked cookies freeze well. For the dough, freeze uncoated balls and roll in sugar just before baking.
What type of cocoa powder is best?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder is recommended for this recipe.
Can I add other flavors?
Yes, extracts like almond or orange can be added to the dough for different flavor profiles.
How should I store leftover cookies?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
Why didn’t my cookies crinkle?
Insufficient chilling or not coating the dough balls thickly enough in confectioners’ sugar can result in fewer crinkles.
Conclusion
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a timeless favorite, combining a rich chocolate flavor with a tender, fudgy texture. Their striking appearance and delightful taste make them a fantastic addition to any dessert table, especially during the holidays. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply indulging in a sweet treat, these cookies are sure to impress!
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
These Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, and irresistibly soft on the inside with a beautiful powdered sugar coating that cracks as they bake. A holiday classic and perfect for any chocolate lover, these cookies are easy to make with simple pantry staples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: ~5 hours (including chilling & multiple batches)
- Yield: About 72 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- White sugar – 2 cups
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – 1 cup
- Vegetable oil – ½ cup
- Eggs – 4 large
- Vanilla extract – 2 teaspoons
- All-purpose flour – 2 cups
- Baking powder – 2 teaspoons
- Salt – ½ teaspoon
- Confectioners’ sugar – ½ cup
Instructions
1️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients – In a medium bowl, whisk together white sugar, cocoa powder, and vegetable oil.
2️⃣ Add Eggs and Vanilla – Beat in eggs one at a time until fully incorporated, then stir in vanilla extract.
3️⃣ Incorporate Flour Mixture – In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the cocoa mixture, stirring until combined.
4️⃣ Chill the Dough – Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
5️⃣ Preheat Oven – Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6️⃣ Form and Coat Cookies – Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough, roll into balls, and coat generously in confectioners’ sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
7️⃣ Bake – Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are set but soft in the center.
8️⃣ Cool and Enjoy – Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
✅ Add-ins – Mix in chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for added texture.
✅ Flavor Enhancements – Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor.
✅ Peppermint Twist – Stir in 1 teaspoon peppermint extract for a festive variation.
