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

There’s something truly magical about biting into a cookie that’s soft, fudgy, and beautifully cracked on the outside. That’s exactly what this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe delivers—an irresistible combo of rich cocoa flavor and that snowy powdered sugar finish that just makes every bite feel like a treat.

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

I’ve made this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe countless times, and honestly, every batch turns out just like you hope homemade cookies will—soft in the center and with that stunning snowy top that cracks perfectly. It’s the kind of recipe that feels fancy but is seriously easy to pull together.

Perfect texture: Soft, fudgy centers with gently crisp edges that keep you coming back for more.
Easy prep: A straightforward mixing process with a dough chill that makes rolling and baking effortless.
Beautiful appearance: The signature powdered sugar crackle gives a festive, snowy look that's hard to beat.
Flexible timing: Make the dough ahead or freeze cookie balls, giving you freedom to bake whenever cravings hit.

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

The combination of ingredients here is key to nailing that signature chewy-yet-soft texture and deep chocolate flavor. Each element plays a role—from the cocoa powder to the eggs for richness and structure. Here’s why I trust these ingredients every time.

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 the cookie, providing structure without heaviness.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor without adding moisture, which is important for texture.
Baking powder: Gives a little lift so the cookies stay tender and rise just enough to crack on top.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes.
Granulated sugar: Adds crunch and sweetness; using it before the powdered sugar helps keep that signature look.
Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle molasses flavor that deepens complexity.
Unsalted butter: Softened to room temp for easy creaming, it enriches the dough with buttery flavor and chewiness.
Eggs & egg yolks: Add moisture, richness, and help bind everything together while keeping soft centers.
Vanilla extract: Brings warmth and rounds out the chocolate perfectly.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate for an extra indulgence inside each cookie.
Granulated sugar & powdered sugar for rolling: This two-step coating locks in moisture and creates the iconic crackled snowy effect.

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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

One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. Whether you want to add some nuts or swap in different chocolate chips, it’s super customizable without losing its classic charm.

Variation: I once added a handful of chopped walnuts to the dough—it gave a fantastic crunch contrast to the fudgy centers.
Dietary tweak: To make a dairy-free version, you can substitute the butter with a vegan butter alternative and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Seasonal twist: Try adding a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder for a little warm spice kick that's unexpected but incredible.

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

Step 1: Whisk together your dry ingredients with care

Start by mixing the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. I like using a liquid measuring cup here so it's easier to pour the mixture evenly into the batter later. This step ensures your dry ingredients are consistent and helps the dough mix smoothly without clumps.

Step 2: Cream butter and sugars until fluffy

Using a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or a hand mixer with a large bowl), beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy—usually about 2 minutes. This step traps air and sets the tone for soft cookies. Scrape down your bowl halfway through to make sure everything gets mixed evenly.

Step 3: Incorporate eggs and flavor

Add the two eggs, the extra two egg yolks, and vanilla extract to your creamed sugar and butter. Beat them in thoroughly, scraping the sides again as needed. Using extra yolks makes the dough richer and helps the cookies stay tender inside.

Step 4: Fold in dry ingredients and chocolate chips

Lower your mixer speed and gradually add the flour-cocoa mixture just until combined. Overmixing at this stage can toughen the cookies, so stop as soon as the last streak of flour disappears. Then fold in the chocolate chips by hand or mix at low speed. The dough will feel thick and sticky—that’s exactly how it should be.

Step 5: Chill the dough for best results

Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap directly on its surface to prevent drying, then chill in the fridge for at least 3 hours—or freeze for about 45 minutes to an hour if you’re short on time. This chilling step keeps the dough firm and makes rolling easier, plus it helps those crackled tops form when baked.

Step 6: Roll, coat, and bake your cookies

Scoop 1 ½ tablespoon portions of dough, roll them into balls, then first coat in granulated sugar, rolling gently between your palms, then coat in powdered sugar the same way. This two-step sugar coating is my secret for that iconic white cracked texture. Keep your dough chilled between batches because it softens quickly.

Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and the tops crack but centers look soft. Resist the urge to overbake—these cookies need that tender center to shine. Let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving to a wire rack.

Top Tip

After making this Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe many times, I picked up a few tricks that really make the difference between “good” and “wow.” These little tips helped me avoid soggy cookies and keep the beautiful snowy look intact.

Sugar coating method: Rolling first in granulated sugar creates a moisture barrier so the powdered sugar doesn’t melt and disappear as the cookies bake.
Don’t skip chilling: Chilling the dough is essential for managing sticky dough and achieving that signature crackled top.
Room temperature eggs and butter: This helps everything blend perfectly without overmixing.
Watch your oven closely: Ten minutes can make all the difference, so start checking at 10 minutes to nail the perfect soft center.

How to Serve Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually enjoy these cookies just as they are—they’re beautifully simple and need no extras. But if I want to jazz them up, a dusting of extra powdered sugar just before serving adds a fresh snowy effect. Sometimes, I pair with a few fresh raspberries on the side to cut through the richness.

Side Dishes

The perfect pairing for these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies is a tall glass of cold milk or a warm mug of coffee or hot cocoa. They also go wonderfully alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert treat.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or holiday gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on a tiered platter sprinkled with edible gold dust or festive sprinkles. Wrapping individual cookies in parchment tied with ribbon makes charming homemade gifts, too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they stay soft and delicious for up to five days. If I notice any moisture building up, I add a sheet of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.

Freezing

I always freeze leftover dough balls without the powdered sugar coating—just rolled in granulated sugar—spread on a parchment-lined tray. Once frozen solid, I transfer them to zip-top bags for up to three months. When I’m ready for a batch, I thaw for about 30-60 minutes, roll in the sugars, and bake fresh cookies. It’s a game-changer for convenience!

Reheating

To revive frozen or stored cookies, I let them come to room temperature and then microwave for about 10-15 seconds. This brings back that freshly baked warmth and melty chocolate goodness, just like they came out of the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this recipe?

Yes! Dutch-processed cocoa has a smoother flavor and less acidity, so it works great here. Just make sure you use baking powder (not baking soda) to help the cookies rise properly.

Why do the cookies crack on top?

The dough's high sugar content and chilling step cause the tops to dry out slightly in the oven while the centers continue to expand, resulting in that classic crackled appearance loved in crinkle cookies.

Can I make this dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough can be made and chilled in the fridge for up to 3 days, making it perfect for planning ahead. Just let it soften a bit before rolling into balls.

Why do I roll the dough balls first in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar?

Rolling first in granulated sugar creates a moisture barrier that helps keep the powdered sugar coating snowy white and prevents it from melting too quickly during baking.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe is one of those timeless treats that always brings a smile to my face. Whether you're baking for a crowd or just yourself, the rich chocolate flavor and tender texture make these cookies feel like a little moment of happiness in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try them—you might even find yourself keeping the dough chilled in the fridge, ready to bake fresh cookies anytime the craving strikes!