Jolly Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Holiday Joy

Magical Christmas crinkle cookies have a way of sparkling brighter than festive lights on a cozy winter evening.

These delightful treats carry memories of childhood wonder and sweet moments shared around the kitchen counter.

Powdered sugar dusts each cookie like freshly fallen snow, creating a whimsical visual that promises delicious joy.

Soft chocolate centers peek through crisp white edges, tempting you with their irresistible charm.

Simple ingredients transform into something truly special when mixed with a dash of holiday spirit.

Every bite connects you to cherished traditions and warm family gatherings.

Baking these cookies promises to fill your home with warmth and create delectable memories you’ll treasure forever.

Tips For Soft And Crinkly Christmas Crinkle Cookies

• Chill for Success: Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and help maintain the cookies' crinkle texture during baking.
• Color Creatively: Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red and green hues without altering the dough's consistency or moisture.
• Powdered Sugar Pro Tip: Roll cookies generously in powdered sugar just before baking to create those classic crinkle cookie cracks and festive white patterns.
• Soft Texture Secret: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked to ensure a tender, chewy finish.
• Storage Savvy: Store cooled Christmas crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

How To Store Christmas Crinkle Cookies Without Drying Them Out

• Refrigerate: Store cooled Christmas crinkle cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Layer cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months to preserve their soft texture and festive colors.
• Room Temperature: Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 23 days, ensuring they stay away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
• Reheat: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 510 seconds or let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to restore their original soft and chewy texture.

Tasty Matches For Christmas Crinkle Cookies

• Pair with Festive Cocoa: Whip up a rich hot chocolate with marshmallows and a hint of peppermint to complement the Christmas crinkle cookies' sweet and colorful nature.
• Match with Spiced Eggnog: Serve alongside creamy, nutmeg-infused eggnog that echoes the holiday spirit and provides a smooth contrast to the cookie's crisp exterior.
• Create a Dessert Wine Moment: Pour a small glass of sweet dessert wine like Moscato or Port, which will enhance the cookies' sugary notes and add a sophisticated touch to your holiday treat.
• Brew Cinnamon Tea: Steep a warming cinnamon tea that brings out the festive flavors and provides a comforting beverage to enjoy with these colorful Christmas cookies.

Fun Twists On Classic Christmas Crinkle Cookies

• Holiday Color Swap: Replace red and green with blue and white for a winter wonderland theme, perfect for Hanukkah or New Year's celebrations.
• Festive Flavor Boost: Incorporate peppermint extract and crushed candy canes into the dough for an extra holiday punch that'll make taste buds dance.
• Chocolate Lover's Dream: Mix cocoa powder into the base dough and roll in dark chocolate powdered sugar for a rich, decadent version of the classic cookie.
• Nutty Celebration: Fold in finely chopped pecans or almonds to the dough, adding a crunchy texture and warm, toasty undertones that complement the sweet crinkle exterior.

Answers To Your Christmas Crinkle Cookies Questions

• Why do I need to chill the dough before baking?

Chilling helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to develop. It also makes the dough easier to handle and roll into balls, ensuring a more uniform shape for your Christmas crinkle cookies.

• Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel food coloring?

While liquid food coloring can work, gel food coloring is recommended because it provides more vibrant colors without adding extra moisture to the dough. Liquid food coloring might alter the cookie texture and make the dough too wet.

• How do I get the perfect crinkle effect on my cookies?

The key is rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar before baking. The sugar creates those classic crackled lines as the cookies expand in the oven. Make sure to generously coat each dough ball and bake at the right temperature to achieve the signature crinkle look.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 3 days before baking. You can also freeze the dough balls (before rolling in powdered sugar) for up to 2 months, making these cookies a great make-ahead holiday treat.

Why Christmas Crinkle Cookies Are The Cutest Holiday Treat

• Festive Color Explosion: Create stunning red and green cookies that instantly capture the Christmas spirit, making your holiday baking both delicious and visually spectacular.
• Effortless Holiday Charm: These crinkle cookies are super simple to make, requiring basic ingredients and minimal baking skills, perfect for both newbie and experienced bakers wanting a stress-free treat.
• Texture Sensation: Experience the delightful contrast between the soft, chewy cookie interior and the crisp, sugary crackled exterior that creates an irresistible melt-in-your-mouth sensation with every bite.
• Quick Gift-Worthy Delight: Whip up a batch in under an hour, making these cookies an ideal last-minute gift or addition to your holiday cookie platter that looks professionally made but takes minimal effort.

What You’ll Need For Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Primary Ingredients:

Flour: The base of the cookie, provides structure and texture. All-purpose flour is best, with a consistent protein content.

Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create a tender crumb. Softened, high-quality unsalted butter recommended.

Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps with cookie browning. Granulated white sugar works perfectly.

Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to cookie structure. Fresh, room temperature eggs ideal.

Flavoring and Coloring:

Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall cookie flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.

Food Coloring: Creates festive red and green holiday colors. Gel food coloring provides more vibrant results.

Coating and Finishing:

Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crinkle effect and adds sweet exterior. Fresh, sifted powdered sugar ensures smooth coating.

Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, light texture. Fresh baking powder ensures proper leavening.

Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor. Fine table salt works best.

How To Make Christmas Crinkle Cookies At Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grab two baking sheets and line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Magic Cookie Base

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

Blend until the mixture looks fluffy and light as a cloud. Add eggs one by one, then splash in vanilla extract for extra flavor.

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until everything just comes together.

Step 3: Divide And Color The Dough

Split the dough into two equal portions. Add a few drops of vibrant red food coloring to one section and festive green to the other. Swirl and mix until colors are completely blended.

Step 4: Chill And Relax

Wrap each colored dough portion in plastic wrap. Slide into the refrigerator for a cool 30-minute rest. This helps the dough become firm and easier to handle.

Step 5: Roll And Coat With Sweetness

Scoop out small portions of dough and roll into perfect little balls. Give each ball a luxurious bath in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage. Place these sugary gems on baking sheets, leaving space between each cookie.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the baking sheets into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies puff up and develop those signature crinkly sugar cracks. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking – you want soft, chewy centers.

Step 7: Cool And Share The Joy

Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These colorful treats are perfect for holiday parties, gift giving, or enjoying by the fireplace with hot cocoa.

Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 2 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive Christmas crinkle cookies blend powdered sugar’s snowy charm with rich chocolate’s deep warmth. Delightful holiday treats bring sweet memories and cheer right to your cookie plate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
• 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, softened

Fat and Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Decorative Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• Red food coloring
• Green food coloring

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the baking workspace by lining two baking sheets with parchment paper and heating the oven to 350F (175C).
2. Create a creamy base by whipping softened butter and granulated sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract to enhance the flavor profile.
4. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl, whisking to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just incorporated to maintain a tender cookie texture.
6. Separate the dough into two equal portions, preparing for festive color transformation.
7. Introduce vibrant holiday colors by mixing red food coloring into one portion and green food coloring into the other, ensuring complete and even color distribution.
8. Wrap the colored dough portions in plastic and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to solidify and ease handling.
9. Portion out tablespoon-sized dough balls, rolling them smoothly between palms.
10. Generously coat each dough ball in powdered sugar, creating a complete white exterior.
11. Arrange the sugar-covered dough balls on prepared baking sheets, maintaining approximately 2 inches of separation between cookies.
12. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, watching for characteristic crinkle formation and soft, puffy appearance.
13. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes to stabilize, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
14. Arrange the festive cookies on a holiday serving platter or package them as delightful edible gifts for friends and family.

Notes

• Softened butter is crucial for achieving a smooth, creamy texture in the cookie dough, so let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing.
• Use gel food coloring for more vibrant Christmas colors that won’t affect the dough’s consistency.
• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure those signature crinkle cookie cracks during baking.
• For gluten-free variations, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the same measurements.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 124
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg