Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Introduction
These Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, and coated in a snowy layer of confectioners’ sugar that cracks beautifully during baking. Perfect for chocolate lovers craving a chewy, soft-centered treat with a slightly crisp edge.

Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons (51g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (180g) mini or regular size semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 Tablespoons (35g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, for rolling
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until fluffy and light in color, about 2–3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Beat on low until just combined, then fold in the chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and very sticky. Cover tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory for this dough.
- Step 3: Remove dough from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes if chilled 3 hours; if chilled longer, let sit about 20 minutes to soften slightly for easier scooping.
- Step 4: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Step 5: Scoop and roll dough into 1.5 tablespoon-sized balls. Roll each ball lightly in granulated sugar, then generously in confectioners’ sugar. Space cookies 3 inches apart on baking sheets.
- Step 6: Bake for 11–12 minutes or until edges are set and centers still look soft. If cookies aren’t spreading by minute 9, carefully remove baking sheet and gently bang it 2–3 times on the counter to encourage spreading, then return to oven to finish baking.
- Step 7: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Cookies will slightly deflate as they cool.
- Step 8: Store cookies covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Tips & Variations
- Using a medium cookie scoop ensures uniform cookie size and even baking.
- For extra fudgy cookies, substitute half the butter with browned butter for a nutty flavor.
- If you prefer bittersweet intensity, swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips.
- Rolling dough balls in confectioners’ sugar twice can deepen the classic crinkle effect.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container. They reheat well by warming in a low oven for a few minutes or briefly microwaving to regain softness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, cookie dough can be scooped into balls and frozen on a baking sheet, then transferred to a sealed container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling firms up the sticky dough, making it easier to handle and helps develop flavors. It also prevents cookies from spreading too much while baking, ensuring the perfect crinkle texture.
Print
Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 3 hours 27 minutes
- Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
Description
These Double Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, and delightfully crackled on the outside with a soft, chewy center. Perfect for chocolate lovers, these cookies are rolled in powdered sugar to create a beautiful crinkled effect as they bake. Easy to make and sure to impress, they are a decadent treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
- 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons (51g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 Tablespoons (35g) granulated sugar (for rolling)
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, for rolling
Add-ins
- 1 cup (180g) mini or regular size semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium-high speed until fluffy and light in color, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then beat on high speed until combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix: In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together until combined. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour into the wet ingredients. Beat on low until combined and then beat in the chocolate chips. The cookie dough will be thick and very sticky. Cover dough tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days. Chilling is mandatory for this sticky cookie dough.
- Warm Dough Slightly: Remove cookie dough from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. If the cookie dough chilled longer than 3 hours, let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to make scooping and rolling easier.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside.
- Scoop and Roll Dough Balls: Scoop and roll dough into balls, about 1.5 tablespoons of dough each. Roll each ball very lightly in granulated sugar, then generously in confectioners’ sugar. Place 3 inches apart on the baking sheets.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes or until the edges appear set and the centers still look soft. If the cookies aren’t spreading by minute 9, remove the baking sheet and lightly bang it on the counter 2-3 times to help initiate spreading. Return to oven to finish baking.
- Cool Cookies: Cool cookies for 5 minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. The cookies will slightly deflate as they cool.
- Store Properly: Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential to manage the sticky consistency and to achieve the crinkle effect.
- Rolling the cookie dough first in granulated sugar and then in confectioners’ sugar creates the signature crackled look.
- If cookies aren’t spreading well, gently banging the baking sheet helps promote spreading.
- Use parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking and help with even baking.
- The dough can be chilled for up to 3 days ahead of baking to save time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Double Chocolate Cookies, Crinkle Cookies, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, Fudgy Chocolate Cookies, Holiday Cookies

