Chocolate crinkle cookies are known for their rich chocolate flavor and beautiful powdered sugar cracks on top. This easy version uses a boxed chocolate cake mix, which keeps the ingredient list short while still producing soft, fudgy cookies that look like they came from a bakery.
The secret to dramatic crinkles is rolling the dough in granulated sugar first and then powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies spread in the oven, the sugar coating creates those classic crackled tops.
If you enjoy simple desserts made with cake mix, you might also like my Lemon Crinkle Cookies and 3-Ingredient Banana Muffins. Both are quick baking recipes that rely on pantry ingredients.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Recipe
These chocolate crinkle cookies with cake mix are incredibly easy to make with just a few pantry ingredients.
The double sugar coating helps create the classic crinkle appearance with bold white cracks and deep chocolate color.
Using cake mix makes this recipe beginner friendly while still producing soft, fudgy cookies with great chocolate flavor.
The dough chills for only 20 minutes, which helps the cookies hold their shape and creates better crinkles when baked.
These cookies are perfect for holiday baking, cookie trays, or any time you want an easy chocolate dessert.
Ingredients
Chocolate cake mix - A boxed chocolate cake mix forms the base of this recipe and provides the flour, cocoa, sugar, and leavening needed for soft chocolate cookies. It keeps the recipe simple and consistent.
Eggs - Eggs help bind the dough together and give the cookies structure so they bake into soft, brownie-like centers.
Vegetable oil - Oil keeps the cookies moist and tender while helping create the soft texture that chocolate crinkle cookies are known for.
Granulated sugar - Rolling the dough in granulated sugar first helps prevent the powdered sugar coating from melting into the cookie during baking.
Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar creates the classic crinkle appearance. As the cookies spread in the oven, the sugar coating cracks open to reveal the rich chocolate cookie underneath.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chocolate cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil.
Mix until a thick dough forms and all ingredients are fully incorporated.
Step 2
Cover the bowl and chill the dough in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much and creates better crinkles.
Step 3
Place granulated sugar in one small bowl and powdered sugar in another.
Step 4
Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball.
Step 5
Roll the dough ball first in granulated sugar, then roll it generously inpowdered sugar until completely coated. Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
Step 6
Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the tops are cracked and the edges are set but the centers still look slightly soft.
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
This recipe makes about 18 cookies.
Tips for Perfect Crinkle Cookies
Rolling the dough first in granulated sugar helps keep the powdered sugar from melting during baking.
Chilling the dough for about 20 minutes helps create thicker cookies with more dramatic cracks.
For the best crinkle effect, coat the dough balls generously with powdered sugar before baking.
Do not overbake the cookies. The centers should still look slightly soft when you remove them from the oven.
Can I Skip Chilling the Dough?
Yes, but chilling helps the cookies keep their shape and creates more defined cracks on top.
If you skip chilling, the dough may be stickier to handle and the cookies may spread more while baking.
Storage Tips
Store chocolate crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Other Delicious Cake Mix Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix - Easy 4 Ingredient Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until a thick dough forms.
- Cover and refrigerate dough for 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place granulated sugar in one bowl and powdered sugar in another.
- Scoop about 1½ tablespoons dough and roll into balls.
- Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar.
- Place cookies on baking sheet about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 9–11 minutes until tops are cracked and edges are set.
- Cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
Notes
Nutrition (estimate)
Leave a Reply