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A small stack of fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies tied with twine, highlighting their soft, brownie-like texture inside.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: The Ultimate Fudgy Holiday Treat

This easy-to-follow recipe for classic Chocolate Crinkle Cookies delivers a perfectly fudgy, brownie-like interior with the signature cracked, powdered sugar top. The ultimate guide to achieving the perfect crinkle every time, perfect for holiday baking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 150

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar plus more for rolling
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Equipment

  • 2 Baking sheets
  • 2 Mixing bowls
  • 1 Cookie Scoop

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of granulated sugar and the vegetable oil. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each, then stir in the vanilla extract.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or by hand until a soft, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
  4. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Place extra granulated sugar and the powdered sugar in two separate shallow bowls.
  6. Use a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to form balls of chilled dough. Roll each ball first in the granulated sugar, then coat it generously in powdered sugar.
  7. Place the coated cookie balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set and the tops are crinkled. The centers will still be soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

Do not skip the chilling step; it is critical for preventing the cookies from spreading too much.
For an extra festive touch, you can add a pinch of peppermint extract to the dough.