If you have a serious sweet tooth and love that perfect balance of fudgy and chewy, you’re in for a treat with this Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe. These cookies capture the essence of a rich chocolate brownie but with a fun, crinkly powdered sugar exterior that makes each bite irresistibly delightful. They’re soft in the middle with just the right amount of chewiness, making them a cozy treat for any day. Plus, they come together with just a handful of pantry staples—what’s not to love?
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting the ingredients right is the secret to these scrumptious cookies. Each one plays a vital role, whether it’s adding fudgy richness, tender chewiness, or that classic chocolate flavor that makes your taste buds sing.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour: Provides structure and a soft crumb texture.
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor and a beautiful deep color.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and a subtle slight crunch that contrasts with the chewy center.
- ½ cup brown sugar: Infuses moisture and a hint of caramel flavor for extra depth.
- 1 teaspoon baking powder: Gives the cookies a gentle lift so they don’t become too dense.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the chocolate notes.
- 2 large eggs: Bind everything together while contributing to the chewy texture.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Brightens the flavors and adds a warm aroma.
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil: Keeps the cookies tender and moist, helping achieve that chewy feel.
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling): Creates the signature crackled look and adds a sweet outer layer.
How to Make Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Baking Space
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly ready when your dough is mixed. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Combine Your Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This dry blend is what packs all that intense chocolate flavor and ensures your cookies have the right texture from the inside out.
Step 3: Mix Sugars, Eggs, and Vanilla
In a separate large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This helps dissolve the sugars and create that luscious base for your dough.
Step 4: Add the Oil for Moisture
Gradually whisk in the vegetable oil. This addition might seem simple but it’s the key to guaranteeing your cookies stay soft and chewy long after baking.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until a thick, sticky dough forms. This is where you’ll notice the dough’s fudgy and dense consistency—exactly what you want for chewy brownie cookies.
Step 6: Roll in Powdered Sugar
Scoop dough into approximately 1 ½-inch balls, then roll each generously in powdered sugar. This not only gives the cookies their classic crackled look but adds a touch of sweetness to the outside.
Step 7: Arrange on Baking Sheet
Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. This gives them room to spread slightly without sticking together.
Step 8: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes. You want the tops to be crackled and the edges set, but the centers should remain soft and tender. This is what makes the chewy texture shine through perfectly.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting period lets them set up just right before you transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. That chewy, chocolaty magic is ready to be savored!
How to Serve Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are absolutely delicious on their own, you can sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top just before serving for an elegant touch. You might also drizzle a bit of melted white chocolate for a contrasting sweetness and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
Pair your chewy chocolate brownie crinkle cookies with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of freshly brewed coffee to balance their rich chocolate intensity. For a cozy dessert, try serving alongside vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gift-giving, stack the cookies between layers of parchment paper in a decorative tin or box. They also make fantastic sandwich cookies—spread some chocolate ganache or peanut butter between two cookies for an indulgent treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Keeping them sealed helps maintain their chewy texture and prevents them from drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze baked cookies by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transferring them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep well for up to 3 months, making it easy to enjoy your Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe whenever the craving hits.
Reheating
To enjoy your cookies warm, gently reheat them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This will revive that fresh-from-the-oven softness and gooey charm.
FAQs
Can I use butter instead of vegetable oil?
Yes, butter can be substituted for vegetable oil, but it might alter the texture slightly. Butter tends to create a richer flavor but can make the cookies more cake-like rather than chewy.
Why do my brownie crinkle cookies flatten out too much?
Make sure your dough isn’t too warm when shaping; chilling it briefly can help. Also, be careful with the amount of oil used, as too much can cause excessive spreading.
Can I add chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Stirring in chocolate chips or chopped nuts adds wonderful texture and extra bursts of flavor, making these cookies even more irresistible.
How do I get the perfect crackled top every time?
Rolling the dough balls thoroughly in powdered sugar ensures that classic crinkle appearance. Don’t skip this step!
Are these cookies gluten-free?
This recipe calls for all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free as written. However, you can try using a gluten-free flour blend to adapt the recipe for gluten sensitivities.
Final Thoughts
Making the Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe is like capturing a little piece of chocolate heaven in your kitchen. With their fudgy centers and crackled sugar tops, these cookies never fail to bring joy and satisfy cravings. Give them a try—you’ll quickly see why they become an instant favorite for every chocolate lover!
Print
Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies are rich, fudgy, and irresistibly soft in the center with crackled, powdered sugar-coated tops. Perfect as a decadent treat for chocolate lovers, these cookies combine the deep flavor of cocoa with a chewy brownie-like texture in an easy-to-make recipe.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
For Coating
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until uniformly combined.
- Combine Sugars and Eggs: In a separate large bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
- Add Oil: Gradually incorporate the vegetable oil into the wet ingredients, mixing until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients and stir until a thick, sticky dough forms; be careful not to overmix.
- Form Dough Balls and Coat: Scoop the dough into approximately 1.5-inch balls. Roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar until well-coated, which will create the signature crinkle effect during baking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced at least 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes. The tops should develop crackles, and the edges will be set, while the centers remain soft and chewy.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake; cookies will look slightly underdone in the center but will set as they cool.
- You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a hint of coconut flavor.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For extra fudginess, chill the dough for 30 minutes before rolling and baking.
- Using parchment paper helps prevent the cookies from sticking and ensures even baking.
