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Chocolate crinkle cookies are soft, fudgy cocoa cookies rolled in powdered sugar before baking, so the tops crack into a white “crinkle” pattern in the oven. The dough is made with cocoa powder and oil, chilled until firm, rolled into balls, coated in sugar and baked at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
They are one of the most-baked Christmas cookies in America, a favorite for cookie trays and exchanges, and the dough can be made days ahead.
What do you need for chocolate crinkle cookies?
Makes: about 24 cookies · Prep: 15 minutes · Chill: 4 hours or overnight · Bake: 10 to 12 minutes
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (43 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (60 ml) neutral oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp fine salt
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar, for rolling
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar, for rolling
How do you make chocolate crinkle cookies with cocoa powder?
- Mix the base. Whisk the sugar and cocoa together, then whisk in the oil until it looks like wet sand.
- Add the eggs and vanilla, one egg at a time, whisking until smooth and glossy.
- Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt just until no flour shows. The dough will be soft and sticky.
- Chill the covered dough for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until firm enough to roll.
- Roll and coat. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll 1-tablespoon balls, coat them first in granulated sugar, then generously in powdered sugar.
- Bake 2 inches apart on lined sheets for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops have cracked and the edges are set. Cool on the sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a rack.
How do you get the best crinkle?
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Powdered sugar melts and looks gray | Roll in granulated sugar first; it creates a dry layer that keeps the powdered sugar white |
| Cookies spread flat | Chill the dough longer, and put the rolled balls back in the fridge for 10 minutes on a warm day |
| Few cracks | Use a thick coat of powdered sugar and check that your baking powder is fresh |
| Dry cookies | Take them out when the centers still look soft; they firm up as they cool |
Which cocoa powder works best?
This dough rises with baking powder, so natural or Dutch-process cocoa both work. Natural cocoa gives a brighter chocolate flavor and a warm brown cookie; Dutch-process cocoa gives a darker cookie with an even stronger contrast against the white sugar. The leavening rule is explained in baking with cocoa powder.
Grevista is a one-ingredient natural cocoa powder from Vietnamese Trinitario cacao; one batch uses about 43 g. Compare sizes on the Grevista cocoa powder page.
How do you make them for a Christmas cookie tray?
- Peppermint crinkles: add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract with the vanilla, and serve with peppermint hot chocolate.
- Cookie exchange: the recipe doubles easily; chill the dough in two batches.
- Gift tins: pack them in layers with parchment, next to a jar of homemade hot cocoa mix.
- More holiday baking: try our hot cocoa cookies, cocoa powder fudge and no bake cookies. For a showpiece dessert, see our chocolate yule log.
How long do crinkle cookies keep?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; the powdered sugar may soften a little over time. The dough keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, and rolled, uncoated balls freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge, then coat in sugar and bake.
If you are deciding which tin to buy for recipes like this one, see our guide to the best cacao powder, which compares options by flavor, processing and published lab testing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is crinkle cookie dough so sticky?
It is made with oil and has little flour, which keeps the cookies fudgy. Chilling firms it enough to roll; lightly oiled hands help too.
Can I skip the chilling?
Not really. Warm dough spreads before the tops can crack, so the cookies bake flat and the sugar melts in.
Can I use butter instead of oil?
Yes. Use ¼ cup (57 g) melted butter. The cookies will taste richer and be slightly less soft.
Written by the Grevista Editorial Team. Last updated October 29, 2026. How we check facts: Editorial Policy.