As the holiday season fills the air with twinkling lights and cozy warmth, baking traditions begin to take center stage. Christmas Crinkle Cookies stand out as one of the most nostalgic and crowd-pleasing treats of the season. Their signature crackled tops, sugary coating, and fudgy centers make them irresistible to cookie lovers of all ages. Whether you’re preparing a dessert platter for a holiday gathering or baking with family on a quiet winter evening, these cookies bring joy, comfort, and a touch of Christmas magic to every bite.
To help you master this beloved classic, this guide walks you through everything—from precise ingredients and step-by-step instructions to helpful tips, variations, and smart storage methods. Let’s dive into the sweet world of Christmas Crinkle Cookies and create a festive treat you’ll return to year after year.
Ingredients
Gather these ingredients before you start baking to keep the process smooth and enjoyable.
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Coating
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
Instructions
1. Mix the Wet Ingredients
Start by whisking the granulated sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl until the mixture turns smooth and glossy. Add the eggs one at a time and mix vigorously after each addition. The batter thickens as you blend the eggs in, setting the perfect base for the cocoa flavor to shine. Stir in the vanilla extract to round out the aroma and deepen the flavor.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the cocoa distributes evenly throughout the dough. It also prevents clumps and gives your cookies a consistent and balanced chocolate flavor.
3. Form the Dough
Pour the dry mixture into the wet mixture gradually. Stir with a spatula until the dough becomes thick and sticky. The dough may look soft, but resist the urge to add extra flour. It firms up beautifully during chilling and gives the cookies their trademark fudgy texture.
4. Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best results. The chilling step helps the dough firm up, making it easier to shape. It also slows down the spreading during baking, giving you thick, crackly cookies instead of flat ones.
5. Preheat and Prepare
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
6. Shape and Coat the Cookies
Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball with your hands. Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then generously coat it in powdered sugar. The granulated sugar forms a base layer that helps the powdered sugar stick and intensify the crinkle effect during baking.
7. Bake
Place the coated dough balls onto the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie. Bake for 10–12 minutes. The cookies spread, puff up, and develop their iconic snowy cracks. Remove them while the centers still feel slightly soft—they firm up as they cool.
8. Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This cooling period helps the cookies set without losing moisture.
Conservation and Storage
Christmas Crinkle Cookies store beautifully, making them a perfect make-ahead holiday treat.
Room Temperature
Place cooled cookies in an airtight container. They stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days. Layer the cookies with parchment paper to protect the powdered sugar coating.
Refrigeration
If you want them to last longer, refrigerate the cookies for up to 10 days, though this may slightly change the texture.
Freezing Baked Cookies
Freeze baked crinkle cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Freezing the Dough
You can also freeze the dough after rolling it into balls. Freeze the uncoated dough balls first on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer bag. Coat them in sugars just before baking.
Variations
The classic version tastes amazing, but you can easily customize Christmas Crinkle Cookies to suit your holiday mood.
1. Peppermint Crinkle Cookies
Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough. Press a chocolate mint candy into the warm cookies right after baking for extra flavor.
2. Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies
Add red gel food coloring and use only ¼ cup cocoa powder. The result: festive red cookies with a slight cocoa taste.
3. White Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Swap the cocoa powder for more flour and fold 1 cup of white chocolate chips into the dough.
4. Spiced Crinkle Cookies
Stir in ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg to give your cookies a cozy, winter-spiced twist.
Serving Suggestions
Christmas Crinkle Cookies shine on their own, but the right pairing elevates them even more.
- Serve with Hot Chocolate: The fudgy texture pairs beautifully with creamy hot cocoa.
- Add to Holiday Dessert Platters: Their snowy tops add a festive look to cookie trays.
- Gift Them: Pack them in a decorative tin with parchment layers for the perfect homemade holiday gift.
- Pair with Coffee or Espresso: Their rich chocolate flavor balances well with bold coffee.
- Warm Them Slightly: Microwave for 8–10 seconds for a gooey, brownie-like center.
Conclusion
Christmas Crinkle Cookies bring together everything people love about holiday baking—rich flavors, nostalgic textures, and irresistible sweetness. Their crackled sugar coating captures the charm of fresh winter snow, while the soft and fudgy center delivers a comforting bite. With simple ingredients, easy steps, and endless variation options, these cookies adapt beautifully to any festive gathering. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or gift them to loved ones, Christmas Crinkle Cookies always deliver warmth, joy, and a delicious taste of the holiday season.
Print
Christmas Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Treat Everyone Loves
- Total Time: 3 hours 12 minutes
- Yield: 18–22 cookies (depending on size) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, fudgy, and beautifully coated in snowy powdered sugar, these Christmas Crinkle Cookies deliver classic holiday flavor in every bite. Their crackled tops and brownie-like centers make them a festive favorite for parties, cookie boxes, and cozy winter nights.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
½ cup (50g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
Coating
½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
Instructions
Mix the Wet Ingredients
Whisk the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Form the Dough
Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture gradually. Mix until a thick, sticky dough forms.
Chill the Dough
Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or overnight for best results.
Preheat the Oven
Preheat to 350°F (180°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Shape and Coat
Scoop 1 tbsp of dough, roll into balls, coat in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar.
Bake
Place on the baking sheet with 2 inches between cookies. Bake for 10–12 minutes until crackled and set around the edges.
Cool
Rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Chilling is essential for the perfect crinkle effect.
Do not overbake; slightly soft centers create a fudgy result.
Roll generously in powdered sugar for brighter, more dramatic cracks.
- Prep Time: 3 hours (including chilling)
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 28mg
- Fat: 3.5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 14mg
Keywords: Christmas Crinkle Cookies, holiday cookies, chocolate crinkle cookies
