This classic Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe is fun to make, super delicious, and perfect for the holidays!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Of course, our week of classic holiday cookie recipes here on the blog would not be complete without these famous crinkles.

Who wants some Chocolate Crinkle Cookies??

Whether you’re baking up a batch for a cookie exchange, pulling them warm outta the oven for a holiday party, or leave them out with a note for Santa, I promise that these chocolate crinkle cookies are always a hit! And this specific recipe has served me well for years. The cookie batter itself is very straightforward, and quick and easy to whip up. Then once you’ve rolled the dough balls in powdered sugar, channel those Great British Baking Show vibes and plant yourself in front of the oven to watch the cookies rise and crinkle. So fun! (Especially with kiddos!)

Here’s how to make them!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies | 1-Minute Video

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Dough

Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Ingredients:

There’s a good chance you may already have these ingredients in your pantry! You will need:

  • Flour: I typically use all-purpose, but white whole wheat flour would work too.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder: Because…chocolate.
  • Baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract: Because…cookies.
  • Oil: I grew up making these with vegetable oil, but any mild-flavored oil will do.
  • Powdered sugar: For rolling the cookie dough.

Stack of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

How To Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies:

To make crinkle cookies, simply…

  1. Whisk together your dry ingredients. Flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
  2. Prep your dough. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the sugar and oil. Followed by adding in the eggs and vanilla, followed by the dry ingredients.
  3. Chill the dough. Sorry, you really can’t skip this step with chocolate crinkle cookies! Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until completely chilled.
  4. Prep your dough balls. Form the dough into 1-inch balls, and roll them in powdered sugar until completely coated. Place them on a parchment-covered baking sheet.
  5. Bake. Then bake then at 350°F for about 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a bit afterwards. Then…
  6. Enjoy! I highly recommend eating these warm out of the oven. But they also store well for up to 5 days, or freeze well for up to 3 months.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Milk

Possible Variations:

Looking to mix things up? Feel free to:

  • Add chocolate chips. I really love mixing 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips into this batter for that extra-gooey chocolate touch.
  • Place a Hershey’s kiss on top. Just poke the kisses right into the tops of the cookies immediately after they come out of the oven.
  • Hide a caramel inside the cookie. Once your dough ball is ready to go, poke half of a soft caramel inside the dough, and wrap/roll the dough around the caramel so that it is completely enclosed. The caramel will melt while baking, making for an extra delicious surprise inside.
  • Add ground cinnamon and cayenne. For a Mexican chocolate twist, try adding 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dough. (Just whisk them into the dry ingredient mixture.)

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies on Plates

More Favorite Cookie Recipes:

Looking for more delicious cookie inspiration? Feel free to check out our full collection of cookie recipes, or any of these other favorite classic cookies:

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

4.71 from 94 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Makes: 20 -22 cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
This classic Chocolate Crinkle Cookies recipe is fun to make, super delicious, and perfect for the holidays!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup mild-flavored oil (such as vegetable oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc.)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, for coating the cookies

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt until combined.  Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the granulated sugar and oil. Beat on medium-high speed for 2 minutes, or until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Add in the eggs and vanilla, beating on medium-low speed until combined.  Then gradually fold in the flour mixture, and beat on medium-low speed until combined.
  • Form the dough into a large ball, and place it on a large sheet of plastic wrap.  Wrap the plastic around it so that it is sealed tightly.  Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) until the dough is chilled completely through.
  • Once you’re ready to bake the cookies, preheat the oven to 350°F.  Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Fill a small bowl with the powdered sugar.
  • Remove and unwrap the dough.  Then form the dough into 1-inch round balls.  Dip each dough ball in the powdered sugar until it is completely covered on all sides, and then place them least 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.  Then remove the baking sheet from the oven, and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes.  Transfer the cookies to a wire rack, and let them cool until they reach room temperature.
  • Serve immediately, or store in a sealed container for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Slightly adapted from AllRecipes.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Did you make this?Let me know how it turned out in the comments below!

About Ali

Hi, I'm Ali Martin! I created this site in 2009 to celebrate good food and gathering around the table. I live in Kansas City with my husband and two young boys and love creating simple, reliable, delicious recipes that anyone can make!

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4.71 from 94 votes

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217 Comments

  1. chelsea says:

    I almost never comment but this time I couldnt help it. Ive been looking for the perfect crinkle cookie recipe and you just delivered it to me on a “cookie” palate. Such kismet! thanks!

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Yay, we’re so happy to hear that Chelsea, thanks for sharing! :D

  2. Julie says:

    Thank you! I have been pondering all week about cookies to make for my exchange party on Sunday. I love these and love that the recipe will be safe for my son with multiple food allergies just as its written! Merry Christmas!

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      You’re welcome Julie, we hope you and your kiddo enjoy these! Merry Christmas to you as well! :D

  3. Kaela says:

    Would using flax eggs work the same in this to make them vegan?

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Hi Kaela, we haven’t tried this recipe with flax eggs, so we can’t say how it would work, but we think it’s worth trying. Using the flax eggs would definitely make them vegan (as long as you use dairy-free chocolate chips as well). We hope you enjoy – definitely let us know how these turn out if you try the flax eggs! :)

  4. Lucy says:

    I love this! They look super festive and yummy, thanks for sharing the recipe :)
    Lucy xoxo

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Thanks Lucy, we hope you enjoy them! :)

  5. Heather @Bostongirlbakes says:

    ooh I love crinkle cookies! And great idea of using half powdered sugar and half cocoa powder! I never thought of that..I mean can you have too much chocolate? I think not…

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Thanks Heather, we hope you enjoy these! And nope, we’re pretty certain you can never have too much chocolate. ;D

  6. Dani Mendocha | Styled Variety says:

    These cookies look so perfect and fluffy!  Chocolate crinkles are one of my holiday favorites :)

    Dani | www.styledvariety.com

  7. Amy says:

    These cookies always look as nice as they taste. Love them.

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Thanks Amy, we’re happy you enjoy them! :)

  8. Ali's Mom says:

    These look fabulous – any leftovers?

  9. Medeja says:

    These cookies look like total treats indeed!

    1. Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven says:

      Thanks Medeja, we hope you enjoy them!

  10. Tom ~ Raise Your Garden says:

    Well, these cookies are brand spanking new to me. Hosting an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party next week (actually the wifer is) but I’m sending her this link because I know she’ll want to include them on her dessert appetizer platter. And we’re giving away the same $200 appetizer mahogany or cherry platter on our blog right now.

    Great recipe. Should be fun to make. Maybe the winner of the sweater contest gets a batch of these to take home?!?