Skip to Content

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

A fudgy and chewy cookie with rich, chocolate flavor covered in a crinkle-texture look, our gluten free and dairy free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a classic cookie to be baked and enjoyed year-round.

These cookies almost taste similar to our fudgy brownie cookies with a bonus sugary coating on the exterior. It is the sugary coating that gives these cookies their iconic look and name.

Like magic, these cookies transform from round balls into baked cookies with small crevices formed throughout the cookies where the chocolate peeks through, giving them a snowflake appearance.

Dark chocolate cookies with powdered sugar over them arranged in a red and white polka dotted Christmas tin.

If you have a work party, extended family gathering, or upcoming friends game night, plan on baking a batch of these fudgy cookies to take with you. Where there is a crowd, there should always be cookies!

Kids and adults are attracted to these cookies with a snowflake-like appearance.

And check out these Chocolate Crinkle Cookie ingredients below. Chances are you already have everything on hand and ready to go. There are no hard to find or tricky ingredients.

chocolate crinkle cookie ingredients

  • unsweetened cocoa powder-- or you can take this chocolate cookie flavor to the next level by using Rodelle Dutch processes gourmet baking cocoa powder. You will find more details about their manufacturing statement in this post.
  • granulated sugar
  • dairy free butter-- we prefer to use Earth Balance Buttery Sticks at room temperature for 20 minutes
  • large eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • kosher salt
  • baking powder-- did you know this loses its potency after the container has been opened for 6 months? We suggest labeling a new container with the date when you open it to help you keep track.
  • gluten free all-purpose flour-- always use the spoon and level method. Not sure what this is? Keep scrolling below. And we bake with Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Mix. We buy it here in bulk to save money. This contain does xanthan gum in the blend.
  • xanthan gum-- omit if your gluten free all-purpose flour contains this or guar gum in the blend
  • powdered sugar
4 dark chocolate cookies with powdered sugar over them stacked on top of each other.

kitchen essentials for this recipe

frequently asked questions

what add-ins can we use in this chocolate crinkle cookie recipe

These cookies are wonderful as they are-- truly a crowd favorite.

If you are looking to add color or extra flavor, consider adding in crushed gluten free pretzels to the top of the batter or peppermint candies. Another idea is stirring in mini marshmallows to the cookie batter. Also consider adding a few sprinkles to the top of each cookie before it goes into the oven or a homemade chocolate kiss to the top of each cookie after it comes out of the oven.

why did my crinkle cookies not crinkle

Did you chill the dough for at least 4 hours before baking the cookies? Chilling the dough prevents the dough from spreading too much while the cookies are baking.

And oftentimes we will prepare the dough the night before, refrigerate it, and in the morning bake the cookies.

what is the spoon and level method mentioned

This method is so important to follow when using flour in any recipe. Flour must be accurately measured for recipes to turn out. However, many have been measuring flour inaccurately (including us for a time!)

For instance, if a recipe calls for one cup of flour, and you scoop the flour out of the bag with the measuring cup, you could end up with 1.25 times as much flour instead!

By scooping the flour directly out of the bag, one is essentially packing extra flour into the measuring cup.

This can make a huge difference in the taste and appearance of recipes.

Instead “spoon†the flour out by a large spoon and level the top of the measuring cup by scraping a knife across the top.

can these cookies be baked ahead of time

Yes, you can bake these gluten and dairy free cookies 1-2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container.

We adapted this as a gluten and dairy free Chocolate Crinkle Cookie recipe from a traditional recipe found on the Rasa Malaysia website.

more delicious cookie recipes you want to try

  • oatmeal chocolate chip cookies-- this classic year-round recipe is loaded with oats and semi-sweet chocolate chips. You’ll enjoy this soft and chewy cookie with crispy edges so much.
  • soft chocolate chip cookies-- here is a recipe that will will satisfy your sweet tooth. You'll wanna eat these warm straight off the cookie sheet.
  • peanut butter blossom cookies-- peanut butter and chocolate are always a winning combination! And you will not be able to help yourself from eating several of these delicious, soft cookies with dairy free kisses on top.
  • caramel apple cookies-- are full of flavor with warm apple pie spice, shredded fresh apple, and sweet apple juice. And they’re topped with a thick, brown sugar frosting that tastes just like caramel and topped with roasted pecans for the ultimate indulgence
  • no bake cookies-- made with ingredients you already have on hand, these are full of delicious bits of chocolate peanut butter-covered oats formed into round-shaped cookies everyone loves
A white place full of dark chocolate cookies with powdered sugar over them .

lastly

These classic Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are always a wonderful family tradition to make every year. You'll find this is a no-fail holiday cookie recipe the entire family will look forward to.

Plus as a bonus these cookies can be baked a day ahead of time!

And eating Gluten Free and Dairy Free can still mean lots of delicious Christmas baking and sampling.

We have shared so many dinner, appetizer, and dessert recipes just perfect for the month of December. Go ahead and start looking here at our Christmas Desserts Roundup after you have pinned and printed this recipe.

Then work your way through our easy, dinner recipes.

Be sure to follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Like and comment often to keep seeing our posts in your feed.

We don't want you to miss the very best of Eating Gluten and Dairy Free.

Lastly we would love for you to leave a review below and let us know how you liked these cookies.

Eat well and feel well,

Jill

4 dark chocolate cookies with powdered sugar over them stacked on top of each other.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These classic gluten free and dairy free cookies are rich, fudgy and so wonderful to enjoy.
No ratings yet
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Prep Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 day 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings: 4 dozen

Ingredients

  • 1 c unsweetened cocoa powder or use Rodelle Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 2 c granulated sugar
  • ½ c dairy free butter room temperature for 20 minutes
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 c gluten free all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your gf all-purpose blend contains this or guar gum
  • ½ c powdered sugar place in a small bowl

Instructions

  • In the large bowl of a stand mixer or with a handheld mixer, combine the cocoa, sugar, and butter on medium speed.
  • Add in 1 egg at a time just until mixed, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
  • Then add in the remaining ingredients as listed, except for the powdered sugar.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • Roll the cookie dough in 1-inch balls, then roll around in the bowl of powdered sugar. The dough will become sticky, this is expected. If needed put the dough back into the refrigerator for a bit.
  • Note-- the more coated the balls are in powdered sugar the more striking they will look after baking.
  • Place the balls 2 inches apart on the cookie sheets; we fit 12 cookies on a standard cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 minutes. Allow cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to a cooling rack.
  • Allow cookies to cool completely before stacking.
  • Serve cookies or transfer to an airtight container on the countertop up to 3 days.
  • These chocolate crinkle cookies hold up well in tins for gift giving as well.

Nutritional Disclaimer

These Nutritional Facts are ESTIMATED. Your actual nutritional info with this recipe may vary depending on the brands you choose. “Eating Gluten and Dairy Free” is not a registered dietician or nutritionist. The provided nutritional info above is based on a generic calculator, if you want more accurate info, use your nutritional calculator of choice where you can choose brands and get more info that way.

Keep scrolling to sign up for our exclusive emails below.

Share for others and save for later!

Recipe Rating