Chewy Chocolate Crinkle Cookie Recipe for Perfect Holiday Cookies

These homemade chocolate crinkle cookies are rich, dark, fudgy, and hard to resist. This recipe is ideal for any Christmas or holiday cookie tray.

Cookies that taste like brownies

If you haven’t tried chocolate crinkle cookies before, you’re in for a treat. These classic holiday cookies have the fudgy, rich flavor of a brownie but the convenient shape of a cookie, with a soft, tender texture.

To make the signature crinkle appearance, roll unbaked dough balls in powdered sugar, bake, and watch the surface crack into a beautiful pattern as the cookies spread and rise.

This is an excellent chocolate crinkle cookie recipe. Fresh from the oven they’re elegant and delicious — perfect for holiday gatherings or a special treat any time of year.

Also try these Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookie flavor ideas

Peppermint: Add 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract with the vanilla. Sprinkle crushed peppermint or candy cane pieces on top after baking.

Cinnamon Sugar: Roll cookies in a mix of 1/2 cup sugar and 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon instead of powdered sugar.

Red Velvet: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon red food coloring with the liquid ingredients for red velvet, or 1/4 teaspoon for pink. For a natural option, use freeze-dried strawberry powder or substitute an equal amount of beet juice for part of the milk.

Mocha: Add 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee granules to the dry ingredients, or replace 4 tablespoons of the milk with brewed espresso.

Vanilla Bean: Replace the vanilla extract with the seeds from one vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste.

Double Chocolate Chip: Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (dark, semi-sweet, white, or milk) with the dry ingredients.

Chocolate Orange: Add the zest of one orange and 1 tablespoon orange juice; use a small egg or reduce the milk to 3 tablespoons if needed.

Caramel: After rolling dough into balls, press a soft caramel or piece of chopped date into the center of each cookie before baking.

Rainbow: Add 1/4 teaspoon pure almond extract to the liquids and roll baked cookies in rainbow sprinkles.

For a lemon alternative try Lemon Pixie Cookies

Easy chocolate crinkle cookie ingredients

This recipe uses flour, cocoa powder, sugar (or coconut sugar), baking soda, salt, salted butter or vegan alternative, milk or egg, pure vanilla extract, and powdered sugar for coating.

Use regular unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed) and, if possible, choose a high-quality cocoa for the best chocolate flavor. Spelt, oat, or all-purpose white flour work well; avoid substituting whole wheat, almond, or coconut flour without testing adjustments.

For a dairy-free and vegan version use salted vegan butter and replace the egg with 4 tablespoons of plant milk. Any plant-based milk should work. The dough can also be sweetened with unrefined coconut sugar if preferred.

This recipe doesn’t require a cake mix and delivers superior results when made from scratch.

Holiday cookie recipe video

Watch the step-by-step crinkle cookie recipe video above

Chocolate crinkles, also called chocolate pixie cookies, are a holiday favorite. This recipe is adapted from a traditional family recipe and produces reliably fudgy, tender cookies that are perfect for sharing.

How to make chocolate crinkle cookies

Gather your ingredients and a baking sheet. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar, breaking up any clumps.

Add the liquid ingredients and mix until a cohesive dough forms. For the best fudgy, chewy texture, cover and chill the dough in the refrigerator overnight or freeze until firm; this step improves texture but can be skipped if you’re short on time.

Roll chilled dough into balls using a cookie scoop or clean hands. Preheat the oven to 300°F and pour powdered sugar into a bowl. Generously coat each dough ball in powdered sugar and place spaced on a baking sheet.

Bake on the center rack for about 12 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underbaked when removed — that’s correct; they firm up as they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for at least 10 minutes before transferring to a rack.

Storing chocolate crinkle cookies

Once cooled and firm, move cookies to a cooling rack or serving tray, or enjoy them straight from the baking sheet.

Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. For longer storage, freeze in a covered container for two to three months.

For softer cookies, store in a plastic container. For chewier, slightly crisper cookies, a glass container helps maintain texture.

Baking tips and tricks for best results

Follow the recipe exactly the first time so you know the intended result, then experiment with flours, sweeteners, or flavor additions in future batches.

To get the classic crinkle finish, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. Avoid opening the oven while the cookies bake, and allow them to cool on the baking sheet so they finish setting.

These festive cookies don’t require refrigeration and make great gifts, cookie exchange contributions, or desserts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Valentine’s Day.

More Holiday Cookie Ideas

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cinnamon Sugar Pillow Cookies

Keto Peanut Butter Cookies

Oreo Cupcakes

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Tahini Cookies

Vegan Sugar Cookies

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Balls