These Chocolate Crinkles Are a Timeless Easy Cookie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the crinkle effect on cookies? ›

The part that makes this a 'crinkle' cookie is the generous coating of powdered sugar that the cookie dough ball gets before going into the oven. As it bakes and spreads on the baking sheet, cracks develop and are exposed, giving the perfect crackle cookie.

Why didn't my chocolate crinkle cookies crack? The most common reason for cookies that don't crack is either that the oven was not hot enough or the baking powder was expired.

There are several possible reasons: if your dough is too cold, the cookies won't spread as much in the oven. If you chilled dough overnight, try setting it out at room temperature 20-30 minutes before rolling your dough.

If the ratio of flour and sugar is off, the cookies won't spread correctly. Another culprit could be the temperature. While the majority of cookies bake well directly from the freezer, some cookie recipes won't spread enough if they're baked frozen.

To avoid this, try using as little flour as possible while preparing to roll your dough. Dry – “Dry” or “Crumbly” dough is a product of over-mixing or using too much of any ingredient during the mixing process. This can be reversed by adding one to two tablespoons of liquid (water, milk or softened butter) to your mix.

The Secret to a Good Sugar Top

The tip that sent me into the kitchen was to give the chilled dough a double coating of sugar. First roll the cookies in granulated sugar and then roll them in powdered (confectioners') sugar.

Add warm (not hot) tap water to a bowl then add eggs (still in their shells) for at least 20 minutes. Don't pack the flour. It is important that you measure the flour correctly because too much flour will result in denser, drier cookies.

A little history about these cookies: Chocolate crinkle cookies were invented by Helen Fredell in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the early half of the 20th Century. They were sold in our school canteen and they instantly became my favourite snack. I remember eating these cookies throughout my childhood.

How do you tell if Crinkle Cookies is bad? If your crinkle cookies have gone bad, they will typically feel overly hard and dry, not soft as they should be. When bitten into, they will lack flavor and the texture will be off. If you see visible signs of mold growth, discard them immediately.

You see, the only thing that you need to soften up a batch of day-old cookies is a slice of bread. This is a trick I learned from my mom after she saw me turn up my nose one too many times at a slightly crispy chocolate chipper (self-proclaimed gooey, chewy cookie fiend here!).

How do you make cookies thick and not flat? ›

A low proportion of sugar relative to flour reduces spread, keeping the cookies thick. A high proportion of mix-ins helps thicken the dough. Blending chocolate chip styles creates a more dynamic flavor. Overnight refrigeration hydrates the flour, again helping the cookies stay thick.

My cookies are too pale.

Use fresh baking soda which promotes browning (make sure there's some sort of acid in the dough, see above). Don't use an insulated baking sheet. Increase baking temperature and time slightly. Add a 1/4 cup additional sugar to the dough.

Overmixing can result in tough cookies.

Using too much flour will make your cookies too cakey, so try reducing the flour amount by two tablespoons. Avoid using cake flour instead; try a mix of all-purpose flour and bread flour for a more dense and chewy texture. Using too much baking powder.

Most cookies have top crusts that remain relatively soft and flexible as the cookies set during baking. However, if the top surface dries out before the cookie is finished spreading and rising, it hardens, cracks, and pulls apart, producing an attractive crinkly, cracked exterior.

To keep the crinkle look alive, twist the fabric in a rope once it's almost dry to emphasize the crinkle effect. The "rope" can be stored in your drawers with the rest of the clothes and can be untwisted when you are ready to wear the garment!

Butter contributes milk solids and water to a cookie, both of which soften it. Brown sugar contributes molasses – again, a softener. Using lower-moisture sugar (granulated) and fat (vegetable shortening), plus a longer, slower bake than normal, produces light, crunchy cookies.