This recipe for Chocolate Christmas Crinkle Cookies is a festive twist on a traditional treat.
These cookies are great for getting the kids involved in holiday baking. Serve these alongside my Homemade Oreo Christmas Cookies and Chocolate Christmas Smash Cake for the perfect Holiday party sweet spread!
These Chocolate Christmas Crinkle Cookies are like crisp little brownie cookies. These luxurious cookies are perfect when only chocolate will do.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Rolling the cookies in the sprinkles gives these colorful cookies a festive twist.
- Using melted chocolate instead of just cocoa powder gives the recipe a rich chocolate taste.
- It’s a fun way to get kids helping in the kitchen.
I created these cookies entirely by accident. I was attempting to create my own recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies which are traditionally rolled in powdered sugar before baking. Giving them a lovely, snowy white surface.
I created this recipe, coated them in the sugar, but when I baked them, they ended up being coated in more of an icing. I’m guessing my recipe is too buttery to work with sugar, but these cookies were way too good not to share. So, I had to think outside the box.
Seeing my frustration, my son tried telling me it wasn’t an epic fail because they were crinkled. He was right. They cracked in all the right places, so I thought why not roll them in something else.
I went to my box of baking decorations and knew it had to be Christmas cookies.
My son loved the idea and as soon as he saw me rolling the dough in the sprinkles, he just had to get involved! We had a really good time baking together and he was so excited when our experiment worked!
Needless to say, we were both very happy with the results!
Other Cookie Recipes You’ll Love
Baking Tips For the Best Crinkle:
- Some larger sized sprinkles cause the cookies to flatten and ruin the cookies. For best results, use small size sprinkles (as pictured).
- Be sure to start with room temperature ingredients so the butter and egg mix together easier.
- Cream the butter and sugar well. Be sure to cream the butter and sugar long enough. Cream until light and fluffy. That said, over creaming will also affect the bake resulting in a cookie that can collapse.
- Check the date on your Baking Powder. Make sure you’re using baking powder that’s not too old. This can affect how well the cookies rise and bake.
- Be careful not to over mix. Over mixing the cookie dough once the flour is added will also affect the end result of the bake. Only mix until the flour is combined on a lower speed (when in doubt mix by hand).
- Be sure to thoroughly chill the cookies before baking. The cookie dough will need to chill for several hours before it can be baked. This keeps the cookies from spreading and allows the dough to firm up so that it doesn’t stick to your hands (although it will still be slightly sticky when you go to roll it)
- Don’t be shy with the sprinkles. Make sure each cookie is coated well before baking.
- Don’t flatten the dough balls once coated and placed onto the baking sheet. They will naturally bake into cookies.
- Start with a hot oven. If you don’t preheat the oven, the cookies won’t crinkle or bake correctly
- Bake one batch at a time on the middle rack. You’ll get the best possible results when doing so. If you absolutely need to bake more than one batch at a time, not only turn the pans but rotate the baking sheets from the top rack to bottom rack halfway through the baking process to encourage even baking.
How to Make Chocolate Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Start with melting the chocolate.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars.
Add the chocolate.
Followed by the flour mixture mix to combine. Super simple!
Chill well (at least 2 hours). Place 1/2 cup of the sprinkles onto a plate. Roll the dough between your palms into 1 inch balls and roll into the sprinkles and place onto a prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart
Bake 12-14 minutes and let cool on the pan five minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
They make a wonderful holiday gift!
FAQs
How do you store crinkle cookies? These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
Can you freeze the dough? Yes, This dough can be frozen well wrapped for up to three months.
Can you freeze the baked cookies? With proper storage, these cookies can be kept in the freezer for up to three months. To freeze, wrap well or place in an airtight container.
Where Do I get the sprinkles you use? I lived in the UK when I made this post (you can get them at most supermarkets there). In the US, I’ve seen similar on Amazon (As an Amazon Associate, a small commission is made from qualifying purchases).
Stay Updated
Receive new recipes & dinner ideas straight to your inbox!
Let's Make
Chocolate Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted to remove lumps
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 egg lightly beaten
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Christmas sprinkles to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F/170CPrepare 2 cookie sheets with baking paper
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips on medium power in 30-second intervals until just melted.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until creamy. Add melted chocolate and mix until combined. Add egg and vanilla extract and mix to combine well.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until blended.
- Chill 20 minutes to 1 day (the longer you chill, the better the crinkle effect.
- Place ½ cup of the sprinkles onto a plate. Roll the dough between your palms into 1 inch balls and roll into the sprinkles and place onto a prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake for 12-14 minutes.
- Cool on the pan for 5 minutes before placing on a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips + Notes
FAQs Where Do I get the sprinkles you use? I lived in the UK when I made this post (you can get them at most supermarkets there). In the US, I've seen similar on Amazon. Baker's Tips
- Some larger sized sprinkles cause the cookies to flatten and ruin the cookies. For best results, use small size sprinkles (as pictured).
- Be sure to start with room temperature ingredients so the butter and egg mix together easier.
- Cream the butter and sugar well. Be sure to cream the butter and sugar long enough. Cream until light and fluffy. That said, over creaming will also affect the bake resulting in a cookie that can collapse.
- Check the date on your Baking Powder. Make sure you're using baking powder that's not too old. This can affect how well the cookies rise and bake.
- Be careful not to over mix. Over mixing the cookie dough once the flour is added will also affect the end result of the bake. Only mix until the flour is combined on a lower speed (when in doubt mix by hand).
- Be sure to thoroughly chill the cookies before baking. The cookie dough will need to chill for several hours before it can be baked. This keeps the cookies from spreading and allows the dough to firm up so that it doesn’t stick to your hands (although it will still be slightly sticky when you go to roll it)
- Don’t be shy with the sprinkles. Make sure each cookie is coated well before baking.
- Don’t flatten the dough balls once coated and placed onto the baking sheet. They will naturally bake into cookies.
- Start with a hot oven. If you don't preheat the oven, the cookies won't crinkle or bake correctly
- Bake one batch at a time on the middle rack. You'll get the best possible results when doing so. If you absolutely need to bake more than one batch at a time, not only turn the pans but rotate the baking sheets from the top rack to bottom rack halfway through the baking process to encourage even baking.
JUST A HEADS UP – THE AMAZON LINK ABOVE IS AN AFFILIATE LINK, WHICH MEANS I MAKE A SMALL COMMISSION IF YOU MAKE A PURCHASE.
Nutrition Information:
Update Notes: This recipe was originally posted in 2016, but was published again in 2018 to include step by step directions, nutritional information, new photos, and a video.
Cheryl Hull says
Nice cookies. Although I chilled the dough overnight, it was hard and unmanageable. Had to thaw it a little in the microwave first. Didn’t use sprinkles in them either.
Erren's Kitchen says
Hi Cheryl, I’m glad it worked out for you in the end. It’s always good to know how a recipe goes! Thank you
Michelle says
my favorite
Erren Hart says
So great to hear, Michelle