Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Winter Warmth

Chocolate crinkle cookies dance with delightful complexity on the culinary stage, promising pure indulgence in every crisp, powdery bite.

Snowfall-like sugar coatings create dramatic contrast against deep cocoa landscapes.

Dark and rich interiors surprise you with unexpected softness that melts effortlessly.

Elegant yet playful, these treats connect childhood memories with sophisticated baking techniques.

Delicate cracks reveal inner richness, beckoning sweet-toothed adventurers to explore their irresistible charm.

Each cookie whispers stories of comfort and creativity from grandma’s kitchen.

Bake these gems and watch magic unfold before your eyes.

Pair Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Milk or Espresso

  • Complement the deep cocoa flavor of these crinkle cookies with a cold, creamy chocolate milk that enhances the dessert's sweetness and provides a smooth, indulgent drinking experience.
  • Create a decadent dessert combination by topping a warm crinkle cookie with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, which offers a cool, creamy contrast to the cookie's rich chocolate texture.
  • Brew a small shot of strong espresso that cuts through the cookie's sweetness and provides a sophisticated, bitter undertone that elevates the overall chocolate experience.
  • Add a bright, tangy raspberry sorbet alongside the cookies to introduce a fresh, fruity element that cleanses the palate and balances the intense chocolate flavor.

Add New Flavors to Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Replace regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
  • Vegan Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Swap eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and ensure all ingredients are plant-based for a vegan-friendly version.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Substitute granulated and brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining delicious flavor.
  • Nutty Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough for added crunch and nutty depth, creating a more complex texture and taste profile.

Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Rich Cocoa Texture

  • Experience the ultimate cookie satisfaction with soft, chewy centers and delightfully crackled powdered sugar exteriors that create an Instagram-worthy dessert.
  • Even novice bakers can confidently create these foolproof cookies using simple ingredients and straightforward mixing techniques that guarantee delicious results every single time.
  • Perfect for holiday gatherings, school bake sales, afternoon snack breaks, or midnight sweet tooth moments with minimal preparation and maximum flavor impact.

Gather These Items for Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: The base for the cookie's structure, providing a tender and soft texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Gives deep chocolate flavor and rich dark color to the cookies.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a chewy texture.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps cookies moist and soft, creating a tender crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add richness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, complex flavor depth.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates the classic crackled white coating and beautiful visual effect.
  • Chocolate Chips (Optional): Adds extra chocolate burst and rich melty pockets.

Make Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies in Simple Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two baking sheets and cover them with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

In a medium bowl, sift together:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Mix thoroughly to eliminate any cocoa powder chunks.

Step 3: Whip Up Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, blend:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Vegetable oil

Crack eggs one by one, whisking after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and mix until smooth.

Step 4: Marry Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir until just combined. The dough will feel thick and clingy. Optional: Fold in chocolate chips for extra decadence.

Step 5: Shape Cookie Magic

Scoop dough and roll into 1-inch balls. Generously coat each ball in powdered sugar. This creates the signature crackled exterior.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared sheets, leaving 2 inches between each. Slide into the oven and bake 10-12 minutes. Edges should look set while centers remain soft.

Step 7: Cool and Devour

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Serve immediately or store in airtight container for up to a week.

Tips for Fudgy Centers in Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  • Prep Like a Pro: Sift dry ingredients thoroughly to eliminate cocoa powder lumps for a smoother cookie texture.
  • Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes before rolling to prevent spreading and enhance cookie shape.
  • Sugar Coating Trick: Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar for that classic crinkle cookie crackled appearance.
  • Moisture Magic: Don't overbake cookies- they'll continue firming up while cooling, ensuring a chewy, soft center.
  • Customize with Confidence: Swap vegetable oil with melted butter for a richer flavor or add mini chocolate chips for extra decadence.

Best Ways to Store Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  • Store cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking, keeping them fresh for up to 5-7 days.
  • Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Cookies will maintain quality for 2-3 months.
  • Remove frozen cookies and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving, restoring their soft and chewy texture.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to refresh their just-baked warmth and softness.
Print
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Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Rich chocolate crinkle cookies offer a delightful dance of fudgy texture and powdered sugar coating. Crackly exteriors hide irresistibly moist centers, promising a sweet adventure with each delectable bite you’ll savor.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Coating Ingredient:

  • ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent cookie adhesion.
  2. Sift dry ingredients including flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, ensuring uniform mixture and eliminating potential cocoa powder clusters.
  3. In a separate large bowl, vigorously whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil until thoroughly integrated.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into the sugar mixture, thoroughly blending after each addition, then introduce vanilla extract to create a smooth, homogeneous liquid base.
  5. Gradually fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring until just combined, creating a dense, slightly tacky dough consistency.
  6. Optional: Gently integrate chocolate chips into the dough for enhanced richness and texture.
  7. Craft uniform dough balls approximately one inch in diameter, meticulously coating each sphere with powdered sugar to achieve the characteristic crackled exterior.
  8. Arrange sugar-encrusted dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining two-inch spacing to allow proper expansion during baking.
  9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, monitoring until cookie edges stabilize while centers remain delicately soft, understanding the cookies will continue firming during cooling.
  10. Remove from oven and let cookies rest on baking sheet for five minutes, facilitating initial setting before transferring to wire rack for complete cooling.
  11. Serve immediately for optimal taste and texture, or store in sealed container for up to one week to preserve freshness.

Notes

  • Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to help prevent spreading and create more defined crinkles during baking.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
  • For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain the cookie’s soft texture.
  • Adjust powdered sugar coating thickness for varied crinkle effects – a heavier coat creates more dramatic cracks and a dramatic visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 24
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 50 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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