Jolly Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe: A Sweet Holiday Treat

Soft, pillowy christmas crinkle cookies dance with a delightful winter magic that captures holiday cheer.

These powdered sugar-dusted treats bring a nostalgic warmth to every festive gathering.

White chocolate and peppermint swirl through the rich chocolate base, creating an irresistible seasonal delight.

Dark cocoa powder gives the cookies their signature deep color and intense flavor.

Rolling each dough ball in confectioners’ sugar creates those beloved crackled edges that look like freshly fallen snow.

Simple ingredients transform into a classic Christmas dessert that celebrates sweet moments.

You’ll love how these cookies melt in your mouth and spread pure holiday happiness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 130 kcal

Servings: 24

Ingredients in Christmas Crinkle Cookies You’ll Love

• Butter: Creamy foundation that adds rich, smooth texture to cookies, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create golden, crisp edges on cookies, select pure white sugar for consistent results.
• Eggs: Binding agent that provides structure and moisture, use fresh room-temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile, opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial versions for deeper taste.

• Flour: Structural backbone of cookies, use all-purpose flour and measure precisely for consistent texture.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for maximum effectiveness.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor, use fine table salt for even distribution.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crinkle effect and adds delicate sweetness, sift before use to prevent clumping.
• Red Food Coloring: Transforms dough into festive red hue, use gel-based coloring for vibrant, concentrated color.
• Green Food Coloring: Provides holiday-themed green tone, choose professional-grade food coloring for bright results.

Tools to Make Christmas Crinkle Cookies Shine

• Mixing bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for combining ingredients.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating eggs.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements for dry and wet ingredients.
• Baking sheets: Two lined with parchment paper for even cookie baking.
• Spatula: Helps mix and scrape ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: For combining dry ingredients evenly.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Plastic wrap: Covers dough during chilling.

Step-by-Step Baking for Christmas Crinkle Cookies

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper for a smooth cookie adventure.

• Whip Together the Dough Base

Blend butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Crack in eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla for extra. Gently fold in flour mixture until everything just comes together.

• Create Festive Color Swirls

Split the dough into two playful portions. Splash red into one half and green into the other, mixing until colors dance throughout.

• Chill and Prepare

Wrap the colorful dough and let it hang out in the fridge for a quick 30-minute cooldown. This helps make shaping easier and flavors more intense.

• Roll and Dust

Scoop small dough balls and roll them generously in powdered sugar. Each cookie gets a beautiful snowy coating that’ll crackle in the oven.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes. Look for puffy edges and crackled sugar surfaces – that’s when you know they’re done.

• Cool and Celebrate

Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. These festive treats are ready to spread holiday cheer on cookie platters or as sweet gifts.

Tips for Getting the Perfect Crinkle Look

• Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies for an extra holiday touch, creating a beautiful snow-like effect that makes these treats look even moreal.
• Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, or freeze the raw dough balls for up to 2 months to have fresh cookies ready anytime.
• Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising the soft, chewy texture.
• Experiment with different extracts like peppermint or almond instead of vanilla to create unique holiday flavor profiles that will surprise and delight your family and friends.
• Reduce granulated sugar by 25% and use a sugar substitute like stevia or monk fruit sweetener for a lighter version that's still deliciously festive and satisfying.

Serving Christmas Crinkle Cookies With Cheer

• Festive Cookie Platter: Arrange the red and green crinkle cookies on a decorative holiday tray with sprigs of fresh holly or pine for a stunning visual display.
• Cocoa Companion: Pair these soft, powdery cookies with a warm mug of rich hot chocolate topped with marshmallows for a cozy Christmas treat.
• Gift of Sweet Memories: Package the cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or family friends.
• Holiday Party Showstopper: Create a cookie tower by stacking the crinkle cookies in alternating red and green colors, perfect for holiday gatherings and dessert tables.

Smart Storage for Your Christmas Crinkle Cookies

• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating red and green layers with parchment paper to maintain color integrity.
• Wrap cookie dough balls individually in plastic wrap, store in freezer bags for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.
• Stack cookies between wax paper sheets in festive tins or clear cellophane bags. Add decorative ribbons for a charming holiday presentation that showcases the colorful crinkle design.
• Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking, storing wrapped portions in refrigerator. This strategy allows for stress-free holiday baking and ensures maximum flavor development.

FAQs

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance. Keep it wrapped tightly in plastic and refrigerated. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 2 months before baking.

• Why do the cookies crack on top?

The cracking happens when the powdered sugar coating splits during baking, creating the signature crinkle effect. This occurs as the cookies rise and spread in the hot oven, revealing the darker dough underneath.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these cookies?

No special equipment is needed. You’ll just require basic baking tools like mixing bowls, a whisk, baking sheets, and parchment paper. A standard electric mixer or even a hand whisk will work perfectly.

• How can I tell if the cookies are done baking?

The cookies are ready when the edges look set and the powdered sugar has formed distinctive crackles. They should be slightly puffy and look soft in the center. Remember not to overbake, as you want a chewy texture.

Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Festive Christmas crinkle cookies bring joy to holiday gatherings with their powdered sugar-dusted chocolate charm. Rich cocoa and delicate sugar coating create a delightful treat you’ll savor during seasonal celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g / 7.8 oz) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (60 g / 2 oz) powdered sugar
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 350°F. Protect baking sheets with parchment paper for effortless cookie removal.
2. Dough Foundation: Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Integrate eggs individually, ensuring smooth incorporation. Infuse mixture with vanilla extract for heightened flavor complexity.
3. Dry Ingredient Integration: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently fold dry components into wet mixture, maintaining delicate consistency.
4. Color Transformation: Divide dough into two segments. Infuse one portion with red food coloring, the other with green, ensuring uniform color distribution.
5. Chilling Process: Encase each colored dough in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to stabilize texture and prevent excessive spreading during baking.
6. Shaping and Coating: Roll chilled dough into uniform spheres. Generously enrobe each ball with powdered sugar, creating a pristine white exterior.
7. Baking Technique: Arrange sugar-coated balls on prepared sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake 10-12 minutes until surfaces develop signature crinkled appearance and centers remain tender.
8. Cooling and Presentation: Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling, preparing these festive treats for serving or gifting.

Notes

Prevent Color Bleeding: Chill colored doughs separately to maintain distinct red and green hues without muddying or blending unintentionally.

Manage Sugar Coating: Roll dough balls generously in powdered sugar just before baking, creating that signature crackled look with crisp white edges.

Control Moisture Level: Don’t overmix dough to keep cookies tender; stop stirring the moment ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense texture.

Optimize Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during final minutes; remove when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft for perfectly moist Christmas crinkle cookies.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg