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The Ultimate Soft & Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Classic Recipe with Perfect Crinkles

A close-up, appetizing shot of a fudgy chocolate crinkle cookie heavily dusted with white powdered sugar.
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Make the best chocolate crinkle cookies that are soft, fudgy, and have a beautiful powdered sugar crackle top. This easy recipe yields rich cocoa cookies perfect for holiday baking or any time you crave a decadent chocolate dessert.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, plus 1 cup for rolling
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional, for double chocolate flavor)

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1 3/4 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. If using, stir in the chocolate chips.
  5. Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough helps create the best crackle effect.
  6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Pour the remaining 1 cup of granulated sugar into a shallow dish.
  8. Scoop rounded tablespoons of chilled dough and roll them into balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in the plain granulated sugar.
  9. Place the sugared dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  10. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. The cookies will look slightly underdone in the center and the sugar will have cracked. Do not overbake for fudgy results.
  11. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For the best, most defined crackles, ensure your dough is well-chilled before rolling in sugar and baking.
  • If you want a deeper chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder or add 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
  • These cookies store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, making them great make ahead holiday cookies.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbycarla.com/chocolate-crinkle-cookies-fudgy-soft-recipe/