For as long as I can remember, I've equated these chocolate crinkle cookies with Christmas. My mom baked dozens upon dozens of Christmas cookies each holiday season, but chocolate crinkles were the cookie I looked forward to the most.
Fresh from the oven with a crispy, crackled outside and a chewy, rich and chocolatey inside or days later with a cold glass of milk, they're guaranteed to please!
The chocolate crinkle cookie recipe is super simple to make, but as with all simple recipes, it's important to use top quality ingredients for the best results whenever you can. Real vanilla extract and Scharffen Berger Chocolate are pantry staples for me, but if nothing else, simply use the best quality you can afford.
Outside of the ingredients, the most important step in making chocolate crinkles is to make sure your dough is thoroughly chilled. When it's first mixed up, it will still be fairly runny, but after a few hours in the refrigerator it will be the perfect consistency to form into balls for baking. Be sure to chill the dough in between batches for consistent results.
By the way, you can even freeze this cookie dough to bake it later! If you're curious, read this post on how to freeze cookie dough...
Printable Recipe ↓
Classic Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking bar - melted
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup confectioners sugar
Instructions
- Mix together the vegetable oil, melted chocolate, and granulated sugar. Add egg one at a time until blended well. Add vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add to chocolate mixture until thoroughly mixed, and chill overnight (or for at least 2 hours).
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Form dough into teaspoon size balls and roll in confectioners’ sugar. Place balls on a greased cookie sheet, about 2” apart, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
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PRO TIP: I love using Silpat non-stick mats to line my baking pans rather than greasing them. My cookies are guaranteed not to stick, and they make cleanup a breeze!
Raye says
My sister and I still make these with our mom every Christmas. We've started getting our kids involved now. And I agree with Tara - they're the best cookies ever!
Lisa M says
I make these every year for Christmas. I have a friend who asks me to make a batch just for her eash year as a gift! Can't imagine a Christmas without them!
Simple says
Thanks, I bet my son would love these!
Kymberly says
These are some of my favorite cookies from childhood also, but I never knew what to call them to look up the recipe as an adult. Thank you I will be adding this to my Christmas cookie platters for this year. Maybe even a double batch!
Chris L. says
Yum! Can't wait to try these! Thanks.
Gwendolyn says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this recipe. My mom used to make these and I was just thinking of these but have no idea where to find them in my mom's recipes. I thought I had all her recipes however since she is not longer with me, there are so many I am lacking! So excited to get to put these on my list to bake this year!!!
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hope they're every bit as good as your mom's recipe!
Abby Mansing says
Wow those cookies look great. Thank you for the recipe they'll make a perfect desert this Christmas.
Cindy says
This is Tara's mom, and yes, those are really her favorite!! I use to actually have to hide them so there would be some left for Christmas!! A tip that I have is I after the dough is chilled, I cut it in fourths and bring 1/4 out of the refrigerator at a time to keep the dough nice and chilled. The cookies look great Tara! Yum! That picture is making me hungry for them!!