Jolly Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Sweet Holiday Joy

Festive baking takes on a magical twist with these delightful Christmas crinkle cookies that melt in your mouth.

Powdered sugar creates a stunning winter landscape across each dark chocolate cookie.

The contrast between the crisp exterior and soft center makes these treats absolutely irresistible.

Dusted with a snowy white coating, these cookies bring joy to every holiday gathering.

Rich chocolate and delicate sugar combine to create a classic dessert that sparks sweet memories.

You’ll love how simple these cookies are to prepare with just a few basic ingredients.

Deck your holiday table with these beautiful, crackly delights that promise to delight both kids and adults.

Why Christmas Crinkle Cookies Shine Bright

• Reasons to Love These Christmas Crinkle Cookies
• Create stunning red and green cookies that instantly spark holiday cheer and make your kitchen feel like a winter wonderland.
• Use simple cake mix as the base, making this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from newbies to seasoned pros.
• Mix, chill, roll, and bake with minimal ingredients and steps, allowing you to spend more time enjoying the holidays with loved ones.
• These soft, powdery cookies deliver a delightful combination of sweet taste and playful texture that appeals to both kids and adults at holiday gatherings.

Must-Have Ingredients for Crinkle Cookies

• White Cake Mix: The primary foundation of the cookie that provides structure and sweetness.
• Eggs: Essential binding agent that helps hold the cookie dough together.
• Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture and ensures a soft, tender cookie texture.
• Vanilla: Provides a warm, classic flavor enhancement to the cookies.

• Red Food Coloring: Creates a festive red hue for the Christmas-themed cookies.
• Green Food Coloring: Adds a complementary green color to the cookie batch.

• Powdered Sugar, Flour: Help manage dough consistency and provide a classic crinkle cookie exterior coating.

How to Whip Up Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Environment

Set the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.

This creates the perfect surface for your festive cookies to bake beautifully.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

• White cake mix
• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Vegetable oil

Stir the ingredients until they form a smooth, thick mixture.

The dough should look slightly sticky and well-blended.

Step 3: Add Festive Colors

Divide the prepared dough into two equal portions in separate bowls.

Add red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other.

Mix thoroughly until the colors are completely integrated.

Pro tip: Wear disposable gloves to keep your hands stain-free.

Step 4: Chill Cookie Dough

Refrigerate both colored dough bowls for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Chilling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to handle and ensures your cookies will have a perfect texture.

Step 5: Shape and Coat Cookies

Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion the dough.

Roll each portion into a ball, then generously coat in powdered sugar.

If the dough feels too sticky, gradually knead in small amounts of flour until it becomes more manageable.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9-11 minutes.

The cookies should appear set but remain soft in the center.

Avoid overbaking to maintain their delightful texture.

Step 7: Cool and Enjoy

Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

The cookies will develop their signature crackled appearance as they cool, creating a stunning holiday treat.

Crinkle Cookie Baking Pointers

• Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and ensure a perfect crinkle texture during baking.
• Roll each cookie ball completely in powdered sugar for that classic crinkle look and sweet, delicate exterior.
• Add flour one tablespoon at a time if the dough feels too sticky, making it easier to roll into perfect balls.
• Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are set but centers remain soft, typically between 9-11 minutes.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant red and green hues that won't thin out the cookie dough's consistency.

Keep Christmas Crinkle Cookies Fresh Longer

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing crumbling.
• Carefully place cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months, maintaining their soft texture and festive colors.
• Keep cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain soft and crinkly. Avoid humid areas to prevent moisture buildup.
• Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to restore their just-baked softness and revive the powdered sugar coating.

Tasty Pairings for Crinkle Cookies

• Festive Wine Companion: Pair these colorful Christmas crinkle cookies with a sweet dessert wine like Moscato d'Asti, which complements the sugary texture and adds a light, bubbly holiday cheer.
• Creamy Coffee Match: Serve alongside a rich, smooth cappuccino or latte, allowing the warm beverage to contrast with the powdery sugar coating and bring out the cookies' vanilla undertones.
• Holiday Milk Delight: Classic whole milk provides a traditional, comforting backdrop that highlights the cookies' sweetness, making each bite feel like a nostalgic Christmas morning treat.
• Spiced Chai Partner: A warm, spicy chai tea with hints of cinnamon and cardamom creates a delightful flavor harmony that enhances the festive red and green cookie experience.

Crinkle Cookie Twists and Adjustments

• Gluten-Free Holiday Crinkle Cookies: Replace white cake mix with a gluten-free cake mix and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Christmas Crinkle Cookies: Substitute eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg), use vegetable oil, and select a vegan cake mix to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Crinkle Cookies: Use a sugar-free cake mix, replace powdered sugar coating with monk fruit sweetener or erythritol, and reduce overall sugar content for diabetic-friendly or low-carb diets.
• Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies: Add cocoa powder to the cake mix, incorporate peppermint extract instead of vanilla, and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a festive winter flavor profile.

FAQs

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

Chilling helps solidify the fat in the dough, preventing cookies from spreading too much during baking. It also makes the dough easier to handle and roll into balls, ensuring a better texture and appearance.

• Can I use a different type of cake mix?

While white cake mix works best, you can experiment with yellow or vanilla cake mixes. Just ensure they’re similar in consistency to maintain the cookie’s structure and taste.

• How do I get the perfect crinkle effect?

Roll the dough balls completely in powdered sugar before baking. The sugar creates those signature crackled edges when the cookies expand in the oven, giving them their classic crinkle look.

• Is it necessary to wear gloves when mixing colored dough?

While not mandatory, gloves prevent food coloring from staining your hands. If you don’t mind temporary colored fingers, you can mix without them, but gloves make the process cleaner and easier.

Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Festive Christmas crinkle cookies bring holiday cheer with their powdered sugar-dusted chocolatey goodness. Bakers delight in creating these classic treats that melt in your mouth and spread winter magic at family gatherings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 box white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup (79 ml) vegetable oil

Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla

Decorative Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup (40 g) powdered sugar
• red food coloring gel
• green food coloring gel

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment at 375°F, positioning a rack in the center and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure uniform baking.
2. Create a uniform base by whisking together white cake mix, eggs, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes a cohesive, thick dough.
3. Divide the prepared dough into two equal portions, strategically separating them into distinct containers for color application.
4. Incorporate vibrant holiday colors by adding red food coloring to one portion and green to the other, thoroughly mixing until the pigments are evenly distributed throughout each dough section.
5. Refrigerate both colored dough portions for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the mixture to firm up and become more manageable for shaping.
6. Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion out small rounds of dough and roll them into smooth spheres, then generously coat each ball with powdered sugar to create the signature crinkle effect.
7. If the dough proves too sticky, gradually incorporate additional flour, one tablespoon at a time, to achieve the ideal rolling consistency.
8. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, maintaining approximately 2 inches of space between each cookie to prevent merging during baking.
9. Bake for 9-11 minutes, watching for a set exterior while maintaining a soft, slightly tender center—avoid over-baking to preserve the cookies’ delicate texture.
10. Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for a brief 2-3 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack, enabling them to set and develop their characteristic crackled appearance.

Notes

• Swap regular cake mix with gluten-free alternatives for those with dietary restrictions, ensuring everyone can enjoy these festive treats.
• Control color intensity by gradually adding food coloring, allowing precise customization of red and green hues for a personalized holiday look.
• Prevent dough stickiness by chilling longer or adding extra flour, which helps maintain cookie shape and makes rolling easier.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain softness and prevent cracking for several days.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg