Soft fudgy chocolate cookies

Featured in: Weekend Warm Recipes

These soft, fudgy chocolate treats feature a rich cocoa flavor and a distinctive crackled powdered sugar coating. Made by chilling a sticky dough before baking, they remain tender inside with a delicate crisp exterior. Perfect for festive occasions or casual snacking, the easy method involves simple ingredients like cocoa, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Rolling dough balls in sugar creates the signature crackled appearance once baked, ensuring every bite offers a delightful contrast of textures.

Updated on Wed, 26 Nov 2025 14:44:47 GMT
Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with crackled tops, dusted in powdered sugar, ready to eat. Pin It
Fudgy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with crackled tops, dusted in powdered sugar, ready to eat. | plumbrine.com

Soft, fudgy chocolate cookies with a crackled powdered sugar coating—perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie trays.

This recipe has always been a hit at our family celebrations and is easy to prepare with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

  • Dry Ingredients: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup (60 g) unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Wet Ingredients: 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Coating: 1/2 cup (60 g) powdered sugar

Instructions

Step 1:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, beat the granulated sugar and oil until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating until smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract.
Step 3:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. The dough will be sticky.
Step 4:
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until firm enough to handle.
Step 5:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 6:
Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball generously in the powdered sugar to coat.
Step 7:
Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
Step 8:
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are puffed and crackled but still soft in the center.
Step 9:
Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Warm, freshly-baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are pictured, perfect for holiday cookie trays. Pin It
Warm, freshly-baked Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are pictured, perfect for holiday cookie trays. | plumbrine.com

These cookies bring warmth to our kitchen and always spark joy when shared with loved ones.

Required Tools

Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, measuring cups and spoons, rubber spatula, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack

Allergen Information

Contains: Eggs, wheat (gluten). May contain: Traces of nuts, dairy if ingredients are processed in shared facilities. Always check labels for possible allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 80 per cookie, Total Fat: 3 g, Carbohydrates: 13 g, Protein: 1 g

A plate of delicious Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, soft inside, coated in a snowy powdered sugar layer. Pin It
A plate of delicious Chocolate Crinkle Cookies, soft inside, coated in a snowy powdered sugar layer. | plumbrine.com

Enjoy baking these delightful cookies and share the love they bring at every bite.

Recipe FAQs

What gives the crackled appearance on these chocolate treats?

Rolling the dough balls generously in powdered sugar before baking creates the signature crackled coating as the dough expands and cracks in the oven.

How can I achieve a fudgy texture in these chocolate cookies?

Chilling the sticky dough before baking helps maintain moisture, resulting in a tender, fudgy center once baked.

Can I add extra chocolate flavor to the batter?

Yes, folding in chocolate chips before chilling enhances the chocolate intensity and adds delightful melty pockets.

What is the best way to cool these treats after baking?

Allow them to cool on baking sheets briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely without becoming soggy.

Are these chocolate treats suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, they contain no meat products and use common vegetarian-friendly ingredients like eggs and dairy alternatives.

Soft fudgy chocolate cookies

Soft, fudgy chocolate treats with crackled powdered sugar coating, perfect for sharing.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
10 min
Total Duration
30 min
Recipe Creator Harper Quinn


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Output 24 Number of Servings

Dietary Details Meat-Free, Dairy-Free

What You’ll Need

Dry Ingredients

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 1 teaspoon baking powder
04 1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup granulated sugar
02 1/4 cup vegetable oil
03 2 large eggs
04 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Coating

01 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Directions

Step 01

Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly mixed.

Step 02

Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat granulated sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl until fully integrated. Add eggs one at a time, beating until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract.

Step 03

Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually fold dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Dough will be sticky.

Step 04

Chill Dough: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes until dough firms up sufficiently for handling.

Step 05

Prepare for Baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 06

Shape and Coat Cookies: Place powdered sugar in a shallow dish. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll into balls, then coat thoroughly with powdered sugar.

Step 07

Arrange on Baking Sheets: Space dough balls about 2 inches apart on prepared sheets.

Step 08

Bake: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cookies puff and crackle on top but remain soft inside.

Step 09

Cool: Allow cookies to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Essential Tools

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer or whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Baking sheets
  • Parchment paper
  • Wire rack

Allergy Info

Go through every ingredient for possible allergens. If you’re unsure, please speak with a healthcare professional.
  • Contains eggs and wheat (gluten)
  • May contain traces of nuts and dairy due to shared processing facilities

Nutrition Details (per serving)

Nutritional content is for general reference—it's not a substitute for medical advice.
  • Calories: 80
  • Total Fat: 3 g
  • Total Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Protein: 1 g