These chocolate crinkle cookies have rich, fudgy centers, slightly crisp edges and that classic snowy powdered sugar coating that makes them perfect for Christmas. They look impressive on a holiday cookie tray, but the dough is simple and easy to make.

Chilling the dough is the secret here. It makes the cookies easier to roll and helps create those deep chocolate cracks as they bake. A generous double coating of sugar gives them that pretty crinkled finish.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Bake Time: 10–12 minutes
Yield: About 24 cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar, for rolling
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar, for rolling

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar until light and creamy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla.
4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined.
5. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to scoop and roll.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Place the remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar and powdered sugar in two separate shallow bowls.
8. Scoop about 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball. Roll first in granulated sugar, then generously in powdered sugar. Don’t shake off the excess.
9. Arrange the dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
10. Bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies have spread and cracked but the centers still look slightly soft.
11. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Good to Know

Don’t skip the granulated sugar layer. Rolling the dough in granulated sugar before the powdered sugar creates a little barrier that helps keep the powdered sugar bright white instead of disappearing into the chocolate dough.

And really coat them in powdered sugar. This is not the moment for restraint. 😂

Estimated Nutrition (Per Cookie)

Calories: ~145
Protein: ~2 g
Net Carbs: ~23 g
Fat: ~5 g
Fiber: ~1 g