Decadent Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Irresistible Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies: Enhanced with Coffee & Cinnamon

Prepare to be enchanted by these truly irresistible **Chocolate Crinkle Cookies**. Each bite delivers a rich, intensely fudgy chocolate experience, elevated by a subtle yet profound hint of coffee and cinnamon. This unique flavor combination doesn’t create a mocha or spiced cookie; instead, it masterfully deepens and amplifies the pure chocolate essence, making these crinkles absolutely captivating and utterly unforgettable. They are destined to become a staple in your baking repertoire, whether for holiday gatherings or simply to satisfy a serious chocolate craving.

Rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies with a hint of coffee and cinnamon that makes them intensely chocolaty and completely irresistible!

This delightful recipe is proudly sponsored by Go Bold with Butter, celebrating the joy and richness that real butter brings to every baking adventure.

The arrival of the holidays always signals the start of my favorite time of year: cookie season! There’s an undeniable magic in the air, often accompanied by the warm, comforting aromas of freshly baked cookies. From festive peppermint-filled delights to whimsical snowball-shaped treats, and classics infused with rich molasses or aromatic spices – I adore them all. This year, these exceptional chocolate crinkle cookies have taken center stage, and I couldn’t be happier to share their charm.

What makes these **fudgy chocolate crinkles** stand out? They are incredibly thick, boasting perfectly crisp edges that give way to wonderfully soft and gooey fudgy centers. The foundation of their extraordinary flavor comes from rich, high-quality butter. The addition of a touch of instant espresso powder and ground cinnamon works wonders, intensifying the natural depth of the chocolate without ever overpowering it. These aren’t just good; they’re fiercely chocolaty, leaving you with a deep, satisfying cocoa experience that lingers deliciously on the palate. They embody everything you love about classic chocolate crinkles, perfected with a secret twist.

These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies have a hint of coffee and cinnamon that sets them apart. They're simply irresistible!

How to Master Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Despite their sophisticated appearance, these striking **chocolate crinkle cookies** are surprisingly straightforward to prepare. They require only one additional step compared to many standard cookie recipes, and the best part? The dough needs absolutely no chilling! This means you can whip up a batch and satisfy your cookie cravings in record time. Let’s walk through the simple steps to achieve these magnificent treats:

  1. Prepare the Dough with Precision: The journey to perfect crinkle cookies begins with the classic creaming method. This essential technique, which we’ll delve into in detail below, is key to achieving that ideal texture.
  2. Portion and Roll for Uniformity: Once your dough is ready, divide it into equal portions. For consistent size and even baking, I highly recommend using a reliable cookie scoop. After scooping, gently roll each portion into a smooth ball.
  3. Double Coat for the Perfect Crinkle: This is the special step that gives crinkle cookies their signature look. First, roll each dough ball thoroughly in granulated sugar. This initial coating acts as a barrier, preventing the powdered sugar from being completely absorbed into the cookie as it bakes. Immediately after, roll them generously in powdered sugar until they are completely covered.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Arrange your sugar-coated dough balls on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake them in a preheated oven until their surfaces beautifully crack open, revealing the rich chocolate beneath the snowy exterior.
  5. Cool and Set: Allow the cookies to cool on the hot sheet pan for a few minutes after removing them from the oven. This crucial step helps them set completely and prevents them from breaking. Once slightly firm, transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling, ensuring their fudgy centers remain intact.

Demystifying the Creaming Method: Your Key to Perfect Cookies

The “creaming method” is a fundamental technique in baking, laying the groundwork for many beloved recipes, including cookies, cakes, and muffins. It involves beating butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. But what exactly is happening during this process, and why is it so important for your **chocolate crinkle cookies**?

At its core, the creaming method is about incorporating air into your butter. As the sharp sugar granules are beaten with softened butter, they create tiny air pockets. These air pockets expand during baking, contributing to the cookie’s rise and overall texture. This aeration also softens the fat and increases its volume, resulting in a lighter, more tender crumb.

Properly creamed butter and sugar are pivotal for several reasons: they contribute to a desirable rise, help prevent cookies from spreading excessively thin, and most importantly, they impart that wonderfully chewy, tender texture we all crave in a perfectly baked cookie. Mastering this technique can truly elevate your baking. Let’s break down precisely **how to cream butter and sugar** the right way:

how to properly cream butter and sugar for perfect cookie texture

  1. Start with Room Temperature Butter and Sugar: The temperature of your butter is paramount. It should be soft enough that a gentle press with your finger leaves a clear indent, but not so soft that your finger sinks all the way through, indicating it’s melted or too warm. Butter that is too warm will result in flat, greasy cookies, as it can’t hold the incorporated air effectively. For best results, take your butter out of the fridge 30-60 minutes before you plan to bake. If you’re short on time, don’t despair! Check out these 4 clever ways to quickly bring butter to room temperature.
  2. Beat on Medium-High Speed: Place your softened butter and granulated sugar into the bowl of your mixer. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal for this task, as it provides consistent power and frees up your hands. However, a hand-held mixer works perfectly well, and for the truly dedicated, even a wooden spoon and a bit of “elbow grease” can get the job done. Begin beating the mixture on medium-high speed.
  3. Visual guide to properly cream butter and sugar

  4. Combine and Scrape: After just a minute or two, the butter and sugar will begin to combine. Don’t stop here – you’re not done yet! Continue mixing, and remember to pause your mixer occasionally (once or twice should suffice) to scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. This ensures all ingredients are evenly incorporated and no bits of butter or sugar are left untouched.
  5. Achieve Light, Pale, and Creamy: Continue beating for several more minutes. The exact time will vary depending on your mixer’s speed, its power, and the specific quantities in your recipe. You’re looking for a transformation: the mixture should become noticeably pale in color, significantly increase in volume, and develop a soft, creamy, almost whipped texture that lightly clings to the sides of the bowl. This process typically takes anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes to achieve the perfect consistency.

Once your butter and sugar have reached this beautifully creamed stage, you’ve successfully created the ideal base for your cookies. You can now confidently proceed with the rest of your recipe, knowing you’ve set the stage for perfectly textured and flavorful treats!

chocolate crinkle cookie dough, ready for rolling

Essential Tips for Perfect Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Baking is both an art and a science, and a few key tips can make all the difference in achieving consistently perfect results. Here are some invaluable insights to help you bake the best **chocolate crinkle cookies** every time:

  • Customize Your Flavor Profile: The hint of cinnamon and espresso powder adds a unique depth to these cookies. However, if you’re uncertain or prefer a simpler flavor, feel free to omit either or both of these ingredients. The cookies will still be wonderfully chocolaty!
  • No Chilling Required: Many **chocolate crinkle cookie recipes** traditionally call for chilling the dough, often for an hour or more. I’ve thoroughly tested this particular recipe both with and without chilling, and I’ve found that it’s completely unnecessary. This means you can enjoy these delicious cookies even faster!
  • The Double-Roll Technique is Key: Don’t skip the step of rolling the dough in granulated sugar *before* rolling it in powdered sugar. The granulated sugar creates a crucial barrier that prevents the powdered sugar from being absorbed into the cookie dough during baking. This ensures you get those beautiful, distinct white cracks that define a perfect crinkle cookie.
  • Parchment Paper is Your Friend: For easy cleanup and to prevent sticking, always line your baking sheets. These pre-cut parchment sheets are an absolute game-changer for cookie baking, saving you time and hassle.
  • Reshape While Warm: If any of your cookies bake up in a slightly irregular or non-round shape, don’t worry! Immediately after removing them from the oven, while they are still soft and malleable, use a flat edge (like the side of a spatula or a round cookie cutter slightly larger than the cookie) to gently push and reshape the cookie back into a perfect round.
  • Optimal Storage: To maintain their freshness and fudgy texture, store your baked **chocolate crinkle cookies** in an airtight container at room temperature. They will remain delicious for several days.
  • Prepare in Advance & Freeze: These cookies are excellent for making ahead! Both unbaked dough and baked cookies can be frozen for a month or even longer.
    • Freezing Dough: Portion the dough into rounds (but do not roll them in sugar yet). Place them on a lined sheet pan and freeze until solid. Once firm, transfer the frozen dough balls to a ziplock bag or airtight container for long-term storage. When ready to bake, roll the frozen dough in granulated sugar and then powdered sugar, and add an extra minute or two to the baking time.
    • Freezing Baked Cookies: Once completely cooled, arrange baked cookies in a sealed bag or airtight container with layers of parchment paper in between to prevent sticking. Thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Roll cookies in granulated sugar and powdered sugar to prevent powdered sugar from absorbing into cookie

Why These Crinkle Cookies Are a Must-Bake

These **chocolate crinkle cookies** truly shine as a versatile and delightful treat. They make a wonderfully festive addition to any holiday dessert spread, bringing joy with their contrasting colors and rich flavor. Beyond the holidays, they are also a simple yet elegant edible gift, perfect for sharing with friends and family for any occasion. But perhaps the most compelling reason to bake them is their sheer deliciousness and adaptability—they are absolutely perfect for enjoying any time of year, whenever a deep, fudgy chocolate craving strikes!

chocolate crinkle cookies, before and after baking

More Chocolate Cookie Recipes to Love and Explore

If you’re a devoted chocolate lover, there’s a world of delightful cookies waiting to be discovered beyond these incredible crinkles. Here are a few more chocolate-infused cookie recipes that are sure to win your heart and tantalize your taste buds:

  • Decadent Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
  • Rich Chocolate Hazelnut Cookies
  • Cool & Creamy Chocolate Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches
  • Hearty Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies have a hint of coffee and cinnamon that sets them apart. They're simply irresistible!

Shop Essential Tools for this Recipe

Having the right tools can make your baking experience smoother and more enjoyable. Here are some recommended essentials that will help you achieve perfect **chocolate crinkle cookies** every time:

These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies have a hint of coffee and cinnamon that sets them apart. They're simply irresistible!

5 from 4 reviews

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Servings: 20 cookies
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 32 minutes
These rich and fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies have a hint of coffee and cinnamon that makes them intensely chocolaty and completely irresistible!
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Ingredients

 

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 grams)
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (42 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ cup unsalted butter , softened to room temperature (113 grams, 1 stick)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cup granulated sugar , for rolling (66 grams)
  • ½ cup powdered sugar , for rolling (55 grams)
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Instructions

 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line sheet pan(s) with parchment paper.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, salt, instant espresso powder, and ground cinnamon. Set this dry mixture aside.
  • Using an electric mixer (stand mixer with paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer), beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on a medium-high speed. Continue beating until the mixture is visibly light and creamy, and it starts to cling to the sides of the bowl. This process typically takes about 3-4 minutes. Remember to stop the mixer and scrape down the sides of the bowl once or twice as needed to ensure even mixing.
  • Add the large egg to the creamed butter mixture and mix until just combined. Follow with the vanilla extract, mixing again until fully incorporated.
  • Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low speed until all ingredients are just combined and a uniform, soft chocolate cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
  • Portion the dough using a 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop (I recommend this cookie scoop for consistent sizing). Roll each portion into a smooth round ball.
  • Roll each dough ball first in the extra granulated sugar, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, roll it thoroughly in the powdered sugar until it’s completely covered, creating a thick white coating. Place the prepared dough balls onto your lined sheet pan, spacing them a couple of inches apart.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread, their surfaces have significantly cracked, and the edges are just set. They may still appear slightly soft in the center, which is perfect for a fudgy texture.
  • Allow the baked cookies to cool on the sheet pan for a few minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them firm up and prevents breakage.
  • Repeat the baking process with any remaining cookie dough. Store your cooled, baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for several days to maintain their freshness.
Calories: 136kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 20mg, Sodium: 34mg, Potassium: 64mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 154IU, Calcium: 15mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Annalise Sandberg
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.

Disclosure: This delicious recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies was lovingly created in partnership with Go Bold With Butter. We extend our sincere gratitude for supporting our collaborations with brands we genuinely love and trust, which are instrumental in making Completely Delicious possible. All opinions expressed are, as always, 100% our own. To learn more about Go Bold With Butter and their commitment to real butter, please visit their website. You can also connect with them and find more inspiring recipes on their social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.