Chef Mitchell preparing Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies
👨‍🍳 Professional Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 10+ Years Experience ⏰ 1000+ Recipes Created 🍽️ Culinary Graduate

❤️ My Recipe Story

"I discovered the joy of making crinkle cookies during a holiday baking session with my grandmother. Over the years, I've perfected this recipe, ensuring a balance of flavor and texture that reminds me of those cherished memories. Every batch brings a sense of nostalgia and joy. These cookies have become a staple in my holiday traditions, loved by friends and family alike."

Chef Mitchell specializes in American cuisine, with an emphasis on home-style desserts and comfort foods. With over a decade of culinary experience, he has crafted numerous recipes that reflect his love for baking. His passion lies in creating desserts that evoke happiness and warmth.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
A plate of freshly baked Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies dusted with powdered sugar, ready to be enjoyed.

Why This Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies Recipe Works

These Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies are special because they offer a wonderful blend of rich chocolate flavor with a soft, chewy texture. The technique of chilling the dough ensures that the cookies maintain their shape while baking, creating those signature crinkles. Using both granulated and brown sugar adds depth to the sweetness, enhancing the overall taste of each cookie.

The flavor profile is a delightful mix of chocolatey richness with a hint of vanilla, complemented by the sugary coating. The baking method used helps achieve a perfect balance between a crispy outer layer and a soft, fudgy center, making each bite an irresistible treat.

💡 Professional Tip

For the best results, make sure to chill your dough thoroughly before baking. This will help prevent the cookies from spreading too much and ensure they retain their beautiful crinkle shape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days. Just make sure to let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before scooping and baking.

You can use melted coconut oil or unsalted butter as a substitute for vegetable oil. Both options will provide a similar texture and flavor to the cookies.

Baking in a preheated oven is the best method for making these cookies. It ensures even cooking and helps achieve the desired texture. Avoid using a convection oven as it could cause uneven baking.

To prevent spreading, ensure that your dough is properly chilled before baking. Additionally, avoid over-mixing the dough once the dry ingredients are added, as this can lead to a flatter cookie.

The cookies should be slightly puffy and set around the edges but still soft in the center. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheets.

These cookies pair wonderfully with a glass of milk or a cup of hot cocoa. They can also be served alongside other holiday treats for a festive dessert platter.

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum for the best texture. Adjust baking time as needed.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to three months; just make sure to layer them between parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Cookies Turned Out Flat

Problem: If your cookies spread too much and turned out flat, it may be due to warm dough.

Solution: Always chill your dough before baking to firm it up. Additionally, ensure your baking powder is fresh to provide proper leavening.

✅

Crinkles Didn't Form

Problem: If the cookies didn't develop the signature crinkle appearance, they may have been overmixed.

Solution: Mix the dough just until combined after adding the dry ingredients. This will help maintain the integrity of the dough, allowing for crinkles.

✅

Cookies are Too Sweet

Problem: If the cookies taste overly sweet, it may be due to excess sugar.

Prevention: Consider reducing the sugar by a couple of tablespoons in your next batch, or balance with a sprinkle of sea salt before baking.

✅

Dry and Crumbly Cookies

Problem: Dry cookies result when too much flour is added or not enough fat is used.

Recovery: Ensure that you measure flour correctly, using the spoon and level method. Adding a tablespoon of oil can help achieve the right consistency.

✅

Burnt Bottoms

Problem: Cookies can burn on the bottom if baked too long or if the oven temperature is too high.

Prevention: Check your oven's calibration and reduce baking time as needed. Use parchment paper to protect the bottoms from direct heat.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: If the cookies are too sweet, you can add a pinch of salt to the dough to balance the flavors.

Too Salty: If the cookies are too salty, try adding a bit more sugar to counteract the saltiness.

Bland: If the cookies taste bland, consider adding a splash of espresso or a dash of cinnamon to enhance the chocolate flavor.

Selection of ingredients for Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies, including cocoa powder, sugar, and flour.

Choosing the Best Ingredients for Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies

Selecting high-quality ingredients is crucial for the best flavor in your cookies. Use fresh eggs, premium cocoa powder, and unbleached all-purpose flour for optimal results. The combination of granulated and brown sugar adds complexity to the sweetness and texture.

When preparing your ingredients, make sure to sift the cocoa powder to avoid lumps and measure your flour accurately to prevent dryness. These small details can make a big difference in the final outcome of your cookies.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Cocoa Powder: Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor. Look for brands that are Dutch-processed for a smoother taste.
  • Granulated Sugar: Granulated sugar helps give structure to the cookies and contributes to the sweet flavor. Use it in combination with brown sugar for depth.
  • Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is essential for the signature snowy finish of crinkle cookies. Ensure it is fresh for the best coating effect.
Baking sheet filled with freshly shaped dough balls ready for the oven to create Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies.

Mastering the Cooking Technique

The key to mastering the cooking technique for Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies is to ensure the right balance of mixing and chilling. Properly mix the wet and dry ingredients to avoid tough cookies. Chilling the dough helps maintain the shape and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

Pay attention to the baking time and visual cues. Watch for the edges to set, while the centers should still look slightly underbaked. This will result in the perfect chewy texture once the cookies cool.

The Secret to Perfect Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies

The secret lies in the chilling process and the right mixing technique. Chilling the dough not only prevents excessive spreading but also enhances the flavor, making each bite a festive delight.

Festive Holiday Crinkle Cookies

Prep 20 min
Cook 12 min
Serves 24 cookies servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

Sauce

  • 1 cup granulated sugar
    For sweetness and structure
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
    Adds moisture and depth of flavor
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    Essential for chocolate flavor
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
    Provides moisture and richness
  • 2 large eggs
    For binding and moisture
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Enhances flavor

Main Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
    Base of the cookie
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    Leavening agent for fluffiness
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    Balances sweetness and flavor
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling
    For the signature crinkle finish

Instructions

  1. Mix Wet Ingredients

    In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and vegetable oil until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

  2. Combine Dry Ingredients

    In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

  3. Chill the Dough

    Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm it up.

  4. Preheat the Oven

    While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  5. Shape the Cookies

    Scoop tablespoon-sized amounts of dough and roll them into balls. Then, roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.

  6. Bake the Cookies

    Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until slightly puffy.

  7. Cool and Serve

    Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

  8. Enjoy the Cookies

    Once cooled, enjoy your festive holiday crinkle cookies with family and friends!

Recipe Notes & Tips

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can prepare the dough a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these cookies on a festive platter alongside milk or hot cocoa for a delightful treat. They also pair well with other holiday desserts.

Recipe Variations

Feel free to add chocolate chips or nuts for extra texture and flavor. You can also experiment with different types of cocoa powder for varied chocolate intensity.