Name: Holiday Crinkle Cookies
Yield: Makes about 40 cookies
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 cups granulated sugar; 1/2 cup vegetable oil; 4 eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup confectioner\'s sugar

Photo by James Ransom

Test Kitchen-Approved

Author Notes

This holiday cookie recipe is easy, delicious, cute and crinkly. —Regan Baroni

Test Kitchen Notes

These holiday crinkle cookies are old-school (in a good way). As my kitchen filled with the scent of baking chocolate, I remembered the cookies my grandmother used to make. Regan Baroni's recipe makes cookies with a slighty crisp edge and a fudgy middle. I refrigerated the dough overnight, resulting in perfect crinkles in the cookies. Beware the powdered sugar shower you get from each bite, a sign of a cookie well enjoyed! —FrozenFoodie

Makes about 40 cookies

Ingredients

In This Recipe

Tools

Set a Timer

Directions

In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil.
Beat in eggs one at a time and stir in vanilla.
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; then stir into the cocoa mixture.
Cover the dough and let cool in fridge for at least 4 hours. (This step is incredibly important to get the crinkles in the cookies)
Preheat oven to 350° F.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper and roll dough into 1-inch balls.
Coat each ball with confectioners sugar before placing on the baking sheet.
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Transfer cookies to wire rack to cool and enjoy!

Tags:

Contest Entries

Your Best Holiday Cookie from Anywhere in the World

See Reviews

See what other Food52ers are saying.

Sarah E.
Taylor Stanton
Shelley Tucker
Valérie Tralala
Regan Baroni

Review

Popular on Food52

79 Reviews

Sarah E. January 8, 2020

These turned out very well — I used 1.5 cups coconut sugar, and subbed the flour for Bob’s Red Mill 1-1 gluten free flour. Definitely sweet enough despite using less sugar. Otherwise I followed the recipe. I had the same experience as others with them not flattening on their own during baking - I had to squish them down a bit with a spatula. I tried mixing in walnuts in part of the batch but actually preferred them simple! Will make again :)

Taylor S. January 7, 2020

Love these! Chocolate crinkles were always a must during the holiday season growing up and I still make them every year! This is by far my favorite recipe; I probably will keep using this year after year.

Milan101 December 21, 2019

I loved these so much, we had a cookie sale thing at work that is why we made it. And then I was getting ready to leave, at work, we had a place where we put our cookies at, so at the end of the day, I left all of the cookies were gone! so I stool some of the other people at work cookies. They all had a few of there cookies left except mine, I was the only one if you sell them out, they will be a hit! Have a good time baking them!

akrain December 11, 2019

These are my fave holiday cookies and this recipe is perfect! Tried mixing ground up candy cane into the sugar and they were amazing!!! And so easy! Thank you!!

megan.oldenburger December 21, 2018

Hi- initially before refrigeration should the dough seem more like brownie batter? I followed directions exactly and that’s how it seems right now before refrigeration...any help would be appreciated!

Valérie T. December 26, 2018

Hi, merry Christmass!
Its should be firm, not sticky.
Just made some. Mmmm

Renee L. December 19, 2018

I'd like some thoughts on how to best store cookies for Christmas. Thank you!!

Author Comment

Regan B. December 20, 2018

Hi Renee! You can store them well wrapped at room temperature for several days, or you could even freeze them! Hope this helps! :) Enjoy!

Tobi H. December 19, 2018

I make these cookies every year around the holidays. My family loves them! I usually add mini chocolate chips, powdered espresso & double the recipe. Once baked, I store most of them in the freezer to take out as needed - ensures perfect texture retention every time!

Melinda January 21, 2018

These cookies looked great but, taste terrible. I probably won't try a cookie recipe again that uses oil rather than butter.

Author Comment

Regan B. December 20, 2018

Oh no! So sorry these didn't workout for you. I haven't had any problems with the taste. Some other readers suggested other things like adding walnuts or crushed peppermint candies. Maybe that might help? Happy Holidays!

Shelley T. January 13, 2018

I made these for Christmas and they were really good. I rolled half of them in crushed peppermint candies and half in confectioners sugar.

Eunice December 26, 2017

I just made these during my holiday baking extravaganza & I must say that these are definitely a new favorite! I bake for joy and to give away, but rarely eat the finish product other than 1 or 2. These cookies I wanted to keep the whole batch for myself!

I followed the recipe exactly, with 2 changes: I added candied ginger bc I had some (& it went amazing with the chocolate!) & I refrigerated the dough overnight, bc I didn't have time to bake that day. I let my dough sit at room temperature out the fridge for about 30ish minutes before using a 1inch cookie scoop and portioning out the dough and then rolling them into perfect balls. My dough was not sticky whatsoever and kept their from perfectly. I baked for 10 minutes and slight flattened the cookies with my spatula after baking before transferring them to the cooling rack.

The cookies fresh out of the oven have the most wonderful outside crunch with a warm cake/brownie like inside texture. Safe to say, its amazing & the 1 inch portions make it easy to just have one sweet snack, if you have the self control!

Shelley T. January 13, 2018

I also refrigerated the dough overnight and I had no problem. I’m going to have to try candied ginger. Brilliant idea!

mraerb December 20, 2017

Pretty fool proof recipe. Would add finely chopped walnuts next time.

Maddie December 18, 2017

Wonderful recipe. Followed recipe perfectly, except the chilling time. I was on a time crunch so I refrigerated the dough for 3 hours, not 4. They came out delicious & with perfect crinkles!

Pamela December 17, 2017

So trying to make cookies today and it seems like dough is powdery and doesn’t form one ball. Is that the way it’s supposed to be? Also going to bake in high altitude tomorrow

Brenna December 21, 2019

I make these cookies every holiday season to give to family and friends. Always a hit. This year I really had to muscle the DO a bit, needing with my hands to come together. But the final result was the same and delicious!

Bentley December 17, 2017

Such a good, classic and easy recipe! The only thing I would keep in mind for next time since I haven't made these before is to not shake off the powdered sugar before putting on the cookie sheet. It's super tempting to do so, but definitely let it happen :)

Teresa December 13, 2017

I want to make this recipe but I'm new to high altitude baking. Has anyone made these at over 4,000 feet, and if so with what modifications? Thank you!

lizs December 13, 2017

I made these yesterday for a potluck, and they are *so* good! And easy!

I forgot to get powdered sugar, so I coated them in cocoa instead, which helped cut the sweetness. And I sprinkled them with just a little bit of Maldon sea salt as soon as I took them out of the oven.

Thanks!

Author Comment

Regan B. December 13, 2017

Hi Lizs! The addition of Maldon sea salt is going to be my next tweak! Great idea! Thanks for your feedback!

Kim December 19, 2017

What kind of cocoa did you use? I made these and though very good I just find them a tad too sweet with the powdered sugar.. thanks!

lizs December 20, 2017

I just used Hershey's. The salt on top also helped! :)

brigitte December 13, 2017

I made these cookies yesterday exactly as directed, left in fridge overnight. Perfect results. Delicious cookie, plan on making again. Thanks so much!

Author Comment

Regan B. December 13, 2017

I'm so glad you loved the recipe, Brigitte! Thanks for your feedback!

Liz December 12, 2017

These are wonderful! Tonight, I am adding a little pulverized candy cane to the powdered sugar. Thanks!

Author Comment

Regan B. December 13, 2017

Hi Liz! Ohhhhh... that sounds really really good. Thanks for the idea! :)

Valérie T. December 12, 2017

Oh my! Way to good. Made second bath and added some chilli for a little kick. Both delish. Thank you so much deff will make more.

Author Comment

Regan B. December 13, 2017

Ok, I LOVE the idea of adding chili powder for a little kick... spicy/chocolate combo. Great insight! Thank you for your comment!

Valérie T. December 18, 2017

Next time I will quarter the recipe and play with the amount of chilli as I do not want to put to much if you get my drift :-). Love your recipe, Ta.

Valérie T. December 12, 2017

Oh my! Way to good. Made second bath and added some chilli for a little kick. Both delish. Thank you so much deff will make more.