Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Crinkle cookies are soft, chewy treats with a delightful cracked surface coated in powdered sugar. Their vibrant color and tender texture make them a fun and delicious choice for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Few drops red or pink food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Step 2: In another bowl, whisk the melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully incorporated and creamy.
4. Step 4: Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to achieve your desired shade, mixing thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; avoid overmixing.
6. Step 6: Chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up.
7. Step 7: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Step 8: Roll the dough into small balls, then coat each ball first in granulated sugar and then in powdered sugar.
9. Step 9: Place the coated dough balls on a baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the cookies are cracked and set at the edges.
10. Step 10: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For a different flavor, try adding a teaspoon of almond or orange extract instead of vanilla.
• If you don’t have food coloring, natural alternatives like beet juice can give a lovely pink hue.
• Rolling the dough balls generously in powdered sugar helps create the signature crinkle effect.
• Chilling the dough is important to prevent spreading and to help the cookies maintain their shape.

Storage

Store crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container to absorb moisture. Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds if you prefer a warm treat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies gluten-free?

Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately to maintain the texture.

How can I make my crinkle cookies more colorful?

Use gel or paste food coloring instead of liquid for more vibrant colors without altering the dough consistency too much.

Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 75 reviews

These delightful Crinkle Cookies feature a soft, chewy interior with a beautifully cracked, powdered sugar-coated exterior. Perfectly sweet and slightly chewy, these cookies are easy to make and ideal for any occasion, adding a pop of color and a burst of vanilla flavor in every bite.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 57 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Few drops red or pink food coloring

For Coating

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar for rolling

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until well combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents.
2. Create Wet Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter and granulated sugar until smooth and slightly creamy to incorporate air and dissolve the sugar.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until the mixture is creamy and homogeneous.
4. Incorporate Food Coloring: Add a few drops of red or pink food coloring to the wet mixture, mixing well to achieve the desired shade and an even color throughout the dough.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixing bowl until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
6. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up, which makes it easier to roll and helps control spreading during baking.
7. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
8. Shape and Coat: Roll the chilled dough into small balls, about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. First coat the balls in granulated sugar, then roll them gently in powdered sugar to create the classic crinkle look.
9. Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies have set edges and exhibit a characteristic cracked surface.
10. Cool and Serve: Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy once cooled.

Notes

• For uniform cookie size, use a cookie scoop when rolling dough balls.
• Ensure dough is chilled well before baking to prevent excessive spreading.
• These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• Feel free to adjust food coloring quantities for more vibrant or subtle shades.
• Powdered sugar coating adds to the cookie’s texture and signature crackled appearance.

Keywords: crinkle cookies, powdered sugar cookies, soft cookies, vanilla cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe