Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a holiday fave, but they’re so delicious that you’ll bake them all year long.

Rolled in powdered sugar, these moist, cakey cookies crinkle open when they bake revealing a fudgy interior that melts in your mouth!

close up Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with a bite taken out of one
  • Crinkle cookies are easy to make but look beautiful.
  • These cookies look and taste like mini brownies with a powdered sugar coating.
  • Prep the dough in advance and chill for the perfect make ahead Christmas cookie.
sugar , salt , vanilla , brown sugar , flour , butter , mini chocolate chips , powdered sugar , cocoa , eggs and baking powder with labels to make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Cookie Dough – Using brown and granulated sugar ensures the cookies are chewy and adds extra moisture. Either light brown or dark brown sugar will work. Use unsweetened cocoa powder.

Chocolate Chips – Mini chocolate chips add an extra dose of chocolatey goodness and distribute more evenly than larger-sized chips.

Powdered Sugar – Don’t be shy when rolling them in the confectioners’ sugar or powdered sugar, ensure each cookie is well coated before baking for the maximum crinkle effect!

Extras – For an extra festive holiday cookie, add a teaspoon of peppermint extract with the vanilla in Step 3.

How to Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

  1. Cream together butter and sugar and then add eggs (per the recipe below). Mix in the dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
  2. Cover and chill the dough.
  3. Shape dough into balls and then roll them in powdered sugar.
  4. Bake and allow to cool on a rack before enjoying.
baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Cookie Tips & Tricks

  • When baking cookies (or any baked recipe, such as this yummy chocolate cake) is the baking powder, so be sure it’s fresh.
  • Parchment paper will make cleanup a breeze and can be used up to 5 times before discarding.
  • Be sure to chill the dough for several hours to prevent it from sticking to your hands, and cookies from spreading too much while baking.
  • For the best rise during baking, while the dough is chilling in the refrigerator, make space for the baking sheet as well.

Storage & Freezing

Yes, you can! Freeze chocolate crinkle cookie dough in a zippered bag for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator until ready for use. Baked cookies should be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days and can also be frozen in a zippered bag.

More Classic Cookies

More Classic Cookies Recipes

Did you make these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies? Be sure to leave a comment and rating below!

baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

4.97 from 28 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chewy rich chocolate crinkle cookies are dotted with mini chocolate chips to give them extra fudgy flavor, and covered in powdered sugar!

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Chill time 4 hours

Total Time 37 minutes

Servings 36 cookies

  • Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until light and fluffy.

  • Add eggs, one at a time, stirring until completely combined. Stir in vanilla extract.

  • In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.

  • Gradually add dry ingredients to wet until completely combined.

  • Stir in mini chocolate chips.

  • Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

  • After chilling, preheat oven to 350°F.

  • Roll dough into 1 ½ tablespoon-sized balls with your hands. Roll the cookie dough balls thoroughly in powdered sugar.

  • Transfer to baking sheet and bake on 350°F for 12 minutes.

  • Allow cookies to cool completely on baking sheet before enjoying.

  • Be sure not to use expired baking powder.
  • For easy cleanup, use parchment paper. It can be used up to 5 times before discarding.
  • The dough must be chilled for several hours. This prevents it from sticking to your hands and will keep cookies from spreading too much.
  • For the best rise, chill the baking sheet as well as the dough.
  • The serving size is 1 cookie.

4.97 from 28 votes

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 173 | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine American
close up of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with a bite taken out of one with a title
plated Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with writing
baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with a title
close up of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with writing
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies on a cooling rack and close up with a title