Christmas Cookies

Chocolate crinkle cookies are the ultimate holiday indulgence, boasting a rich, fudgy, brownie-like center and a stunning, snow-dusted exterior. These iconic treats, known for their distinctive cracked powdered sugar coating, aren't just a feast for the eyes; they promise the delightful taste of rich chocolate flavor in every bite.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe

Fudgy & Delicious: Every bite is packed with rich chocolate flavor.
Beautiful Presentation: The powdered sugar coating creates an iconic, festive look.
Perfect for Holidays: A staple for Christmas cookie platters, potlucks, and gifts.
Freezer-Friendly: Dough and baked cookies can be frozen for later enjoyment.

Let's get baking!

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Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
1¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature (this helps with emulsification)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (up to 2 teaspoons)
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed for a darker color and milder flavor, or natural for a more intense chocolatey tang)
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt (more with unsalted butter)
½ cup powdered sugar, for rolling (plus extra if needed)

Instructions

Yields: Approximately 3-4 dozen cookies
Prep time: 20 minutes (plus 4+ hours chilling)
Bake time: 10-12 minutes

Melt Butter & Combine with Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Tip: Ensure your butter isn't sizzling hot when you add the sugar; let it cool slightly for a minute or two after melting.
Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should become glossy and slightly thickened.
- Tip: Using room temperature eggs helps them combine more smoothly with the butter and sugar, creating a better emulsion and a more uniform cookie texture.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Whisk well to ensure there are no lumps and the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
Gradually Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed with an electric mixer or by hand (with a sturdy spoon or spatula) until just combined. A thick, sticky dough will form. Do not overmix! Overmixing can lead to tough cookies.
Chill Dough (Crucial Step!): Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight (up to 24 hours). This step is non-negotiable for successful crinkle cookies. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to handle and preventing the cookies from spreading too much, ensuring those beautiful crinkles develop.
Preheat Oven & Prepare for Baking: When you're ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats if you're using them. Place the ½ cup of powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
- Tip: Have a little extra powdered sugar on hand in case you need to replenish the bowl.
Roll Cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough (a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop works perfectly) and roll them into smooth balls, about 1 inch in diameter.
- Tip: If the dough is too sticky, lightly flour your hands or dampen them with water to make rolling easier. Don't press too hard, just gently form the ball.
Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball generously and thoroughly in the powdered sugar, ensuring it's completely coated. You want a thick, visible layer of powdered sugar. This heavy coating is absolutely essential for creating the signature crinkle effect. Place the coated dough balls 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheets.
- Tip: Don't skimp on the powdered sugar! The more liberally you coat them, the more pronounced the crinkles will be. Try rolling in granulated sugar first, then again in powdered sugar for the best crinkle cookies.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will spread, and the powdered sugar will beautifully crack, creating the signature "crinkle" look. The centers should still appear slightly soft and fudgy.
- Tip: Watch them carefully! Overbaking will result in drier, cakier cookies instead of fudgy ones.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. They will firm up as they cool.

Square image showing coating crinkle cookies in powdered sugar.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Don't Rush the Chill: Seriously, this is the most important tip! A well-chilled dough is key to preventing excessive spreading and achieving those gorgeous crinkles.
Be Generous with Powdered Sugar: The more powdered sugar, the better the crinkle. Don't be shy!
Room Temperature Eggs: This helps create a smooth, emulsified dough.
Measure Flour & Cocoa Accurately: Use the "spoon and level" method (spoon flour into measuring cup, then level off with a straight edge) to avoid overly dense cookies.
Don't Overbake: These cookies are best when slightly soft and fudgy in the center. They will continue to set as they cool.
Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5-7 days.

White plate piled high with Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe FAQs

Can I use natural cocoa powder instead of Dutch-processed?

Yes, you can! Natural cocoa powder will give your cookies a slightly lighter color and a more intense, almost tangy chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa powder results in a darker cookie with a milder, less acidic chocolate taste. Both work wonderfully!

My cookies didn't crinkle! What went wrong?

The most common reasons for a lack of crinkle are not chilling the dough long enough (or at all), or not coating the dough balls generously enough in powdered sugar.
Also, make sure your oven temperature is accurate - use an oven thermometer to double check the temperature.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, absolutely! This is a great dough for freezing in advance of holiday baking. You can form the dough into balls, coat them in powdered sugar, and then freeze them on a baking sheet until solid.
Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two to the baking time.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! The dough can be made and chilled for up to 2 days in the refrigerator. Baked cookies also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.

Creative Recipe Ideas

Want to try a twist on the classic?

Mint Chocolate Crinkles: Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract along with the vanilla.
Espresso Crinkles: Add 1-2 teaspoons of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Holiday Spice: A pinch of cinnamon or a tiny dash of cayenne pepper can add a warming note (yes, you can bake with cayenne! it's exceptional with ginger).

No matter how you enjoy them, these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are sure to become a cherished part of your baking repertoire. Give them a try and watch them disappear!

Angela

Christmas Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These classic holiday cookies are known for their fudgy, brownie-like center and beautiful crinkled, powdered sugar coating, reminiscent of snow-covered treats.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Chill time 4

Total Time 4 25

Servings: 4 dozen

Course: Cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

1 cup butter 2 sticks - melted
1¾ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt use ½ teaspoon with unsalted butter
½ cup powdered sugar for rolling

Equipment

Mixing bowls
Electric mixer (handheld or stand)
Baking sheets
Wire rack

Method

Melt Butter and Combine with Sugar: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter and granulated sugar. Whisk together until smooth.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be glossy.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed with an electric mixer or by hand until just combined and a thick, sticky dough forms. Do not overmix.
Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling is crucial for the dough to firm up and for the cookies to hold their shape and crinkle beautifully.
Preheat Oven and Prepare Powdered Sugar: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
Roll Cookies: Scoop rounded tablespoons of the chilled dough and roll them into balls, about 1 inch in diameter. This is easier if your hands are lightly floured or slightly damp.
Coat in Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar, ensuring it's completely coated. This heavy coating is what creates the beautiful crinkle effect. Place the coated balls 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will spread and the powdered sugar will crack, creating the signature "crinkle" look. The centers should still be slightly soft.
Cool: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Christmas Day, December 25^th, has been a United States federal holiday since 1870, but how did it begin, what is being celebrated, and what do people do to celebrate it?

For centuries, cultures worldwide have held celebrations and ceremonies in the middle of winter to find relief and joy during the coldest and darkest time of the year.

A timeless tradition scroll written about the history of Christmas.

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Many celebratory traditions, particularly in northern Europe, included burning wood for light and drinking beer and wine. This was when the alcohol had finished fermenting and eating abundant fresh meat.

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Roman History

Rome, however, celebrated two unique holidays, Saturnalia, which celebrated Saturn, the god of agriculture, and Juvenalia, a feast in honor of Rome's children. Rome's wealthy class also celebrated a third holiday on December 25^th, known as Mithra's birthday, after the god of the unconquerable sun.

For many Romans, this holiday was the most important, sacred day of the year. Mithra was believed to be an infant of God, born from rock.

In the earliest years of Christianity, Easter was the most holy day of the year, and Jesus's birth wasn't even celebrated until the 4^th century, when church leaders decided to declare a holiday for the birth of Jesus.

While the bible doesn't specify when Jesus was born, Pope Julius I declared it would be celebrated December 25^th, likely as an effort to diminish the pagan Saturnalia festivities.

Christmas Celebrations Spreading

Christmas, first called the Feast of the Nativity, spread to Egypt in the 4^th century before adopted in England by the end of the 6^th century.

Church leaders wanted to celebrate Christmas at the same time as winter solstice celebrations were occurring, because it would lead to its adoption and popularity. However, this meant that people had freedom in how it was celebrated.

Early traditions included families attending church and then having lively, boisterous, carnival-like parties where much alcohol was consumed.

A tradition called the "lord of misrule" started, and poor, lower-class citizens would go to the rich, upper-class homes, begging and demanding to be given their best food and drink, as if repaying a debt. If a family did not share, the patrons would mischievously terrorize them.

It was during the Middle Ages that Christianity surpassed pagan religion.

Puritan Christmas

When Oliver Cromwell and the puritans ruled England in the late 1600s, Christmas was temporarily cancelled until Charles II ruled. However, it was during this religious reform that the pilgrims came to America.

The pilgrims were even more orthodox than the puritans in England, therefore, at this time, Christmas was not a holiday, and was even illegal to celebrate in Boston from 1659-1681, punishable by a five shilling fine, although settlers in the South, particularly at the Jamestown settlement, celebrated Christmas without reprimand.

Christmas Evolves

Christmas as we know it still has a long way to go. After the American Revolution, Christmas was almost completely forgotten until June 26, 1870, when it was granted a holiday by the federal government and despite this federal recognition, it wasn't fully embraced until the 19^th century.

It was at this time that traditions changed from being a rowdy celebration full of alcohol and games to being a family-centered holiday, focused on peace and nostalgia.

The 1800s were hard on many families. Unemployment and poverty were high, and many families did not believe that it was appropriate to take delight in children. During this time, Charles Dickens wrote the classic holiday story, A Christmas Carol. This showcased Christmas as a time to help others, centering charity and good will as integral to the celebration.

Leading To Our Familiar Traditions

This powerful message engaged powerful members of American and British society, which allowed Christmas to finally be fully embraced, and for children to be celebrated, without the idea that they were being "spoiled."

Jolly Saint Nick eating Christmas cookies

This holiday became celebrated as a family holiday and incorporated many foreign cultural traditions, such as decorating trees, sending cards, baking cookies, and giving gifts, which are still many of the Christmas traditions we have today.