Chocolate Crinkle Soft Chewy

Featured in: Sweet Maple Treats

These chocolate crinkle delights combine unsweetened cocoa and all-purpose flour with sugar and vanilla for a fudgy, soft texture. After chilling, the dough is coated in powdered sugar and baked until crackled on top but tender inside. Perfectly suited for holidays or everyday indulgence, these treats offer a rich chocolate experience with a distinctive crackled sugar coating. Tips include slight underbaking for extra softness and optional espresso powder to enhance flavor. Enjoy fresh or store up to five days in airtight conditions.

Updated on Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:38:02 GMT
Warm chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled and coated in powdered sugar, ready to savor. Save to Pinterest
Warm chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled and coated in powdered sugar, ready to savor. | maplefrost.com

Indulge in the irresistible delight of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies—rich, fudgy treats that boast a perfectly crackled powdered sugar coating. These cookies strike the ideal balance: soft and chewy on the inside with a delicate, crinkly exterior, making them the perfect holiday dessert or anytime chocolate lover’s pleasure.

Warm chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled and coated in powdered sugar, ready to savor. Save to Pinterest
Warm chocolate crinkle cookies, crackled and coated in powdered sugar, ready to savor. | maplefrost.com

These cookies require just a few hours of chilling time, making them easy to prepare ahead. Their dense, chocolate-packed interiors paired with a delicate sugary crust are incomparable, satisfying both texture and flavor cravings in every bite.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients
    • 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup (50 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Wet Ingredients
    • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
    • 2 large eggs, room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Coating
    • 1/2 cup (60 g) confectioners (powdered) sugar

Instructions

1.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
2.
In a large mixing bowl, beat the sugar and oil until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
3.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated. The dough will be sticky.
4.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until the dough is firm enough to handle.
5.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
6.
Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar, coating generously.
7.
Arrange on prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart.
8.
Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until the tops are crackled and the cookies are just set but still soft in the center.
9.
Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

To achieve extra fudgy cookies, slightly underbake them to keep the centers delightfully soft. Ensuring the dough is well chilled also helps develop the signature crackled top. For best results, use room temperature eggs to ensure the dough mixes evenly.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Add a pinch of espresso powder to intensify the deep chocolate flavor, or for a festive twist, fold in mini chocolate chips or a dash of orange zest. These simple additions can elevate the cookies to a gourmet treat.

Serviervorschläge

Serve these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with a glass of cold milk, hot coffee, or even alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience. They’re also perfect packaged in a decorative box for gift-giving.

Close-up of freshly baked chocolate crinkle cookies with a perfectly cracked, sugary top. Save to Pinterest
Close-up of freshly baked chocolate crinkle cookies with a perfectly cracked, sugary top. | maplefrost.com

With a simple preparation and satisfying flavor, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are sure to become a beloved staple in your baking repertoire. Enjoy the cozy richness and festive charm, bite after bite.

Recipe FAQs

What gives the cookies their crackled appearance?

Rolling the chilled dough balls in powdered sugar before baking creates a distinctive crackled surface as the cookies expand and bake.

How can I make the cookies more fudgy?

Underbaking slightly keeps the centers soft and fudgy, enhancing the overall texture of the cookies.

Can I add extra flavors to these treats?

Adding a pinch of espresso powder intensifies the chocolate flavor, while mini chocolate chips or orange zest offer festive variations.

How long should I chill the dough before baking?

Chilling the dough for at least two hours firms it up, making it easier to handle and helps develop the cookies' texture.

What is the best way to store these chocolate crinkles?

Store the cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to five days.

Chocolate Crinkle Soft Chewy

Rich, fudgy chocolate crinkles coated in crackled powdered sugar with a soft, chewy texture for all chocolate lovers.

Prep time
20 minutes
Time to cook
12 minutes
Overall time
32 minutes
Created by Hannah Marlowe


Level Easy

Cuisine type American

Makes 24 Portions

Diet preferences Meat-free, No dairy

What You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup granulated sugar
02 1/4 cup vegetable oil
03 2 large eggs, room temperature
04 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Coating

01 1/2 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar

Directions

Step 01

Combine dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 02

Mix wet ingredients: Beat sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl until combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 03

Incorporate dry into wet: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Dough will be sticky.

Step 04

Chill dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm enough to handle.

Step 05

Prepare oven and baking sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 06

Form coated dough balls: Place powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized dough portions, roll into balls, and coat thoroughly in powdered sugar.

Step 07

Arrange for baking: Place coated dough balls on prepared sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

Step 08

Bake until crackled: Bake for 11 to 13 minutes until tops are crackled and cookies are set but soft in the center.

Step 09

Cool cookies: Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Equipment you’ll need

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy details

Be sure to review ingredient lists for allergens and reach out to your healthcare provider if uncertain.
  • Contains eggs and wheat (gluten).
  • May contain traces of nuts or soy depending on ingredient sources.

Nutrition info (per portion)

All nutrition info is just for reference and can’t replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 90
  • Total fat: 3.5 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 14 grams
  • Proteins: 1 grams