Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe

The Ultimate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Chocolate Lovers

Crispy edges and a fudgy crinkle brownie center make these cookies an absolute game-changer for chocolate lovers.

Chocolate lovers dream about desserts like this irresistible treat.

Soft and decadent, each bite promises pure indulgence without complicated techniques.

Small bakeries and home kitchens alike celebrate these magical morsels.

Professional bakers have long recognized the delicate balance of textures in this recipe.

Pure cocoa magic happens when you mix simple ingredients with precision.

Sweet sensations await you in every crinkled, crackly bite of pure chocolate bliss.

Crinkle Cookies with Fudgy Mix-Ups

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Crumble Cookies: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring the same rich chocolate experience for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Chocolate Fudge Rounds: Substitute eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, use dairy-free dark chocolate, and swap butter with coconut oil for a plant-based version that maintains the classic crinkle texture.
  • Low-Sugar Cocoa Crackle Treats: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall sugar content while preserving the intense chocolate flavor and signature crinkle appearance.
  • Nutty Chocolate Crunch Cookies: Incorporate chopped walnuts or pecans into the dough, adding extra protein and creating a delightful crunch that complements the soft, fudgy interior.

FAQs

  • Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling helps the cookies develop a fudgy texture and create those signature crinkle tops. The cold dough prevents spreading and allows the powdered sugar coating to crack beautifully during baking.

  • Can I use different types of chocolate?

Absolutely! You can use dark, milk, or semi-sweet chocolate. Just ensure it’s good quality chocolate for the best flavor. Chopped chocolate works better than chocolate chips for melting smoothly.

  • What makes the cookies crackle on top?

The generous coating of powdered sugar and the contrast between the cold dough and hot oven creates those distinctive crinkle cracks. The sugar coating dries and breaks as the cookie expands during baking, giving the unique texture.

  • How do I know when the cookies are done?

Look for shiny, crackled tops with soft centers. The edges should be set but the middle should still look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to firm up as they cool, ensuring a fudgy, rich texture.

Brownie Crinkle Cookies With Fudgy Centers

  • Quick Weekend Delight: Prepared in under an hour of active time (excluding chilling), these cookies are ideal for spontaneous baking sessions and satisfying sudden chocolate cravings.
  • Family-Friendly Baking Adventure: Kids and adults can easily join the fun of rolling dough balls in powdered sugar, creating a playful and interactive cooking experience that brings everyone together in the kitchen.
  • Stunning Presentation Guaranteed: The signature crackled top and powdered sugar coating make these cookies visually impressive, perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or gifting to chocolate lovers.

Brownie Crinkle Cookies Ingredient Set

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Base for the cookie structure, providing texture and stability.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep brown color.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become light and airy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Chocolate: Create rich, decadent base with intense chocolate flavor, choose high-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate.
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create chewy texture, brown sugar adds moisture.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to soft, fudgy consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complements chocolate flavor.
Finishing Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crinkle effect and adds sweet exterior coating.
  • Chocolate Chips, Nuts (Optional): Provide extra texture and flavor variation, can be mixed into dough.

Step 1: Whisk Dry Ingredients

Create a magical flour mixture by combining cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.

Whisk everything together until perfectly blended and set aside.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Magic

Melt butter and chocolate together using a double boiler or microwave.

Heat gently, stirring frequently until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Allow the chocolate to cool slightly before next steps.

Step 3: Whip Sugary Goodness

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine:
  • Granulated sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Eggs

Whip these ingredients for 2-3 minutes until the mixture turns pale and becomes thick and creamy.

An electric mixer works perfectly for this task.

Step 4: Blend Chocolate Sensation

Stir the melted chocolate and vanilla extract into the sugar mixture.

Mix until everything is beautifully combined and looks rich and decadent.

Step 5: Marry Dry and Wet Ingredients

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

Use a spatula and mix just until everything is incorporated.

Optional: Toss in chocolate chips or nuts for extra excitement.

Step 6: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

This magical resting period helps develop those gorgeous crinkles and creates an ultra-fudgy texture.

Step 7: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Step 8: Shape Delightful Cookies

Scoop tablespoon-sized dough portions and roll into balls.

Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar, ensuring a complete and fabulous coating.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Place sugar-coated dough balls on baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart.

Bake for 10-12 minutes until tops are crackled and shiny.

The centers should remain soft and fudgy.

Step 10: Cool and Devour

Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

Get ready to experience cookie heaven!

  • Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content to enhance the rich, intense brownie flavor in your cookies.
  • Chill the dough thoroughly for at least 2 hours to make handling easier and ensure the classic crinkle cookie texture and appearance.
  • Generously coat cookie dough balls in powdered sugar, ensuring a thick, even layer for those beautiful, dramatic surface cracks.
  • Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked for that signature fudgy, brownie-like consistency.
  • Experiment with adding chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or a sprinkle of sea salt to personalize your brownie crinkle cookies and add extra flavor complexity.

Keep Brownie Crinkle Cookies Fresh

  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, keeping them flat. Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
  • Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness and bring back that fresh-from-the-oven gooey texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.
  • If cookies become slightly hard, place a slice of bread in the container overnight to help restore moisture and softness.

Sips That Match Brownie Crinkle Cookies

  • Chocolate Wine Pairing: Complement the rich, fudgy brownie crinkle cookies with a bold, full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Port. The wine's deep fruit notes and robust tannins perfectly balance the intense chocolate flavor.
  • Espresso Companion: Serve alongside a shot of freshly brewed espresso or a creamy cappuccino. The strong coffee cuts through the sweetness and enhances the cookies' deep chocolate undertones, creating a classic dessert experience.
  • Vanilla Ice Cream Contrast: Top warm cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The cold, creamy vanilla provides a delightful temperature and flavor contrast, melting slightly into the warm, crackly chocolate cookies for an indulgent treat.
  • Salted Caramel Drizzle: Elevate the cookies by adding a light drizzle of salted caramel sauce. The sweet-salty combination amplifies the chocolate's richness and adds a luxurious layer of complexity to each bite.
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Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe


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4.9 from 8 reviews

  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible brownie crinkle cookies blend rich chocolate intensity with delicate crisp edges that melt in your mouth. Sweet chocolate lovers will crave these magical morsels that promise pure indulgence in every delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (100 grams) brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (25 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins and Coating:

  • 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chunks
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (e.g., walnuts, pecans)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Craft a delectable dry ingredient mixture by whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl, then set aside for later integration.
  2. Create a luscious chocolate base by gently melting butter and chopped chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring until achieving a silky smooth consistency. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
  3. Develop a rich liquid foundation by vigorously whisking granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs for 2-3 minutes until the mixture transforms into a pale, thickened texture. Incorporate the melted chocolate and vanilla extract, blending thoroughly.
  4. Merge dry and wet components by gradually folding the reserved flour mixture into the chocolate blend. Stir until ingredients are just combined, optionally introducing chocolate chips or chopped nuts for enhanced texture.
  5. Enhance flavor development by chilling the dough: wrap the mixture in plastic and refrigerate for 1-2 hours until it firms up, which helps create signature fudgy consistency and dramatic crinkle effect.
  6. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining baking sheets with parchment paper for optimal cookie release.
  7. Form cookies by scooping tablespoon-sized portions and rolling into uniform balls. Generously coat each sphere in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage for signature crackled appearance.
  8. Bake the cookies precisely, positioning them two inches apart on prepared sheets. Cook for 10-12 minutes, watching for crackled, glossy tops while maintaining a soft, fudgy center.
  9. Complete the process by allowing cookies to rest on baking sheets for five minutes, then transferring to a wire rack for complete cooling. Serve and savor the decadent treats.

Notes

  • Ensure chocolate is fully melted and cooled to prevent egg scrambling when mixing, creating smooth chocolate integration.
  • Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar for maximum crinkle effect, covering completely for dramatic surface texture.
  • Chilling dough is crucial for preventing cookie spread and maintaining dense, fudgy interior, allowing flavors to meld intensely.
  • Transform recipe for dietary needs by substituting gluten-free flour blend, using dairy-free chocolate, or replacing eggs with flax eggs for vegan version.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 200
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 40 mg
James Walker

James Walker

Lead Recipe Developer & Culinary Educator

Expertise

Southern Cuisine & Farm-to-Table Cooking, Recipe Development & Testing, Culinary Education & Instruction​

Education

School: Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts and Operations

Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and farm-to-table practices. ​


James didn’t learn cooking from a TV show, he learned it from busy kitchens, family gatherings, and long afternoons spent testing recipes the hard way.
After training at the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, he brought his love for real, down-to-earth food to every dish he makes.
At Dining At Home, James loves building recipes that feel familiar but still have something special, like adding a twist to a classic or making a slow Sunday dinner feel brand new.
When he’s not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find him swapping garden tips at the farmers’ market or teaching his daughter how to flip pancakes without a mess (almost).

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