Name: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 42 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 2 egg yolks, at room temperature; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 cup mini or regular size semi-sweet chocolate chips; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 2/3 cup powdered sugar for rolling

There’s something almost magical about biting into a chocolate cookie all cracked and dusted with sugar. This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe delivers that perfect combination of fudgy softness and a delicate sugar crust that just melts in your mouth. Trust me, you’ll find it hard to stop at one.

A white plate is filled with many round chocolate cookies covered in a cracked layer of white powdered sugar, revealing dark brown chocolate beneath. Each cookie has a textured surface from the cracks, creating a unique pattern of white and dark brown. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with soft natural light highlighting the contrast on the cookies. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Over time, I’ve come to think of this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe as my go-to treat when I want something that feels homemade but turns out perfectly every single time. These cookies are reliably soft in the center, with those wonderfully crinkly tops that are just as fun to look at as they are to eat.

Beautiful Crinkly Texture: The contrast between the cracked, powdered sugar exterior and the chocolatey, tender inside is absolutely irresistible.
Simple Ingredients: No obscure pantry items here—just ingredients you probably already have, making it stress-free to whip up a batch anytime.
Flexible Make-Ahead Options: You can chill or freeze the dough, so it’s perfect for planning ahead or last-minute cravings.
Kid-Friendly and Shareable: These cookies are a hit with everyone from picky eaters to seasoned cookie connoisseurs.

A single dark brown chocolate crinkle cookie with a cracked surface revealing its soft interior is held on a gold spatula in the foreground. The top layer of the cookie is generously dusted with white powdered sugar, creating a contrast with the dark chocolate beneath it. In the blurred background, more cookies with the same cracked powdered sugar tops rest on a baking tray covered with light brown parchment paper. The scene is set against a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe plays a key role in creating that perfect fudgy texture with a crackled sugar topping. Let me walk you through why I love the choices here and offer tips on picking the best ones.

Flat lay of a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white ceramic bowl with light brown sugar, another small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar, a few sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature, two whole uncracked large brown eggs, two whole uncracked egg yolks still in shells, a small white ceramic bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of salt, a small white ceramic bowl with vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl filled with powdered sugar placed with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: The backbone of your cookies, it gives just enough structure without being too dense.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Use a high-quality, natural cocoa powder for deep chocolate flavor that really shines through.
Baking powder: This helps the cookies rise gently, forming those signature cracks on top.
Salt: Just a pinch balances all that sweetness and enhances the chocolate taste.
Granulated sugar: I always coat the dough balls in granulated sugar first to create a dry barrier before adding powdered sugar — it keeps that snow-white look longer.
Light brown sugar: Adds a subtle caramel note and keeps the cookies moist and tender.
Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter creamed in well gives you that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Eggs and egg yolks: The eggs bind everything, and the extra yolks make the cookies richer and chewier.
Vanilla extract: A little vanilla rounds out the chocolate, adding warmth and depth.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: These pockets of melty chocolate inside the cookie are a must-have for chocolate lovers.
Powdered sugar: The classic crinkle cookie finish, which contrasts perfectly with the dark chocolate dough.

📝

Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe depending on my mood or what I have on hand—because sometimes, a little personalization makes it feel even more special.

Variation: One of my favorite spins is swapping the semi-sweet chocolate chips for chunks of dark chocolate; it adds an intense richness that gets everyone’s attention.
Dietary tweak: You can substitute some or all of the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour blends; just be mindful that the texture might shift slightly.
Extra flavors: Sometimes I add a pinch of espresso powder to the cocoa mixture to amplify the chocolate flavor—don’t worry, it doesn’t make it taste like coffee!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Mix Your Dry Ingredients Carefully

Start by whisking together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. I like to do this in a medium bowl or a liquid measuring cup because it makes pouring easier later on. Getting this step right ensures that the chocolate flavor is even and the cookies rise just enough without getting too puffy.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars to Fluffy Perfection

In your mixer fitted with a paddle attachment—or with a hand mixer and a large bowl—beat the softened butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar on medium-high until fluffy, about 2 minutes. This is where your cookies get that soft texture, so trusting this step really pays off. Don’t forget to scrape the bowl sides to mix in everything evenly.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Yolks, and Vanilla

Next, beat in the eggs, extra yolks, and vanilla extract. I always make sure my eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better dough consistency. The yolks add a richness that elevates the texture beyond your classic cookie.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Chocolate Chips

On a low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet until just combined—the dough will be thick and sticky, which is perfect! Stir in the chocolate chips by hand if you want to avoid overmixing and keep pockets of melty chocolate in every bite.

Step 5: Chill and Shape Your Dough Balls

Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap, pressing it directly on the dough’s surface to prevent a skin from forming. Freeze it for 45 minutes to an hour or chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours (or up to 3 days) — this is key for handling the sticky dough and getting that perfect crackle on top during baking.

Step 6: Roll in Sugar and Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F and prepare your baking sheets. Using a 1½ tablespoon scoop, portion the dough, then roll each ball first in granulated sugar, gently between your palms, then in powdered sugar, and again between your palms to compact the coating. This double sugar roll trick is what keeps your cookies bright white and snow-dusted. Bake 10–12 minutes until edges are set but centers stay soft. Let cool on the sheet before transferring to a wire rack.

Top Tip

After making these cookies dozens of times, I've found a few things that truly elevate the final results and make the process easier. These tips helped me avoid crumbly edges and fading powdered sugar that just didn’t look as festive.

Double Sugar Roll: Always roll your dough balls in granulated sugar first, then powdered sugar, to keep that vibrant snowy look longer.
Chill Your Dough: Don’t skip chilling the dough; it tames the stickiness and creates those perfect cracks during baking.
Room Temperature Eggs: Using room temp eggs means smoother mixing and a more consistent dough texture.
Bake Time Matters: Watch for soft centers with set edges — baking a minute too long will make them too dry.

How to Serve Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

chocolate crinkle cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep these cozy cookies simple, but sprinkling a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving makes them feel extra festive—perfect for holiday gatherings or just brightening your afternoon tea. Sometimes I add a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top before baking for a surprising sweet-salty contrast that really pops.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair beautifully with a glass of cold milk, a cup of coffee, or a mug of hot cocoa. I've also served them alongside fresh berries and whipped cream for a light dessert twist that guests loved.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holiday parties, I like presenting these cookies stacked on a tiered plate or nestled in a festive tin lined with parchment paper and red ribbon. Wrapped in clear cellophane bags tied with twine, they make charming homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The best way I’ve found to keep leftover cookies fresh is storing them at room temperature in an airtight container. They mostly hold up well for about 5 days—if they last that long around my house!

Freezing

I always freeze extra dough balls without the powdered sugar coating, freezing them solid on a baking sheet before transferring to bags. When I’m ready for fresh cookies, I thaw them briefly, roll them in sugars, and bake as usual. This always saves me when I’m short on time!

Reheating

To warm up leftover cookies, I pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften them while keeping their fudgy centers intact. This always makes them taste freshly baked again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do Chocolate Crinkle Cookies crack on top?

The cracking happens because the cookie dough expands in the oven and the powdered sugar coating dries out the surface, causing it to split and form those signature cracks. Chilling the dough beforehand also helps develop this effect.

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, but make sure it includes xanthan gum for structure. Expect a slightly different texture, but the classic crinkle appearance and flavor remain great.

How do I keep the powdered sugar coating from melting?

To prevent the powdered sugar from melting and turning translucent, first roll the dough balls in granulated sugar, which acts as a moisture barrier, then in powdered sugar. Avoid storing the baked cookies in humid or warm places. Alternatively, use non-melting powdered sugar like 'Snow Sugar.'

Can I prepare the dough in advance?

Absolutely! The dough can be made ahead and chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or frozen in pre-rolled balls for up to 3 months. Just thaw and roll in sugars before baking when you're ready.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe has been my little joyful ritual during the holidays and rough days alike — it’s like wrapping yourself in a cozy chocolate hug. I hope you find as much comfort and delight in baking and sharing these as I do. Remember, the cracks and imperfections make them uniquely yours, so have fun with the process and savor every bite!