Halloween Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Introduction

These Halloween Crinkle Cookies are a festive twist on a classic treat, perfect for spooky celebrations. Rich in chocolate and vibrant with seasonal colors, they offer a soft, crackly texture that’s irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (orange, purple, or black)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, beat the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Add gel food coloring to achieve your desired Halloween shade and mix well.
3. Step 3: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
4. Step 4: Cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour, or place in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill thoroughly.
5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Step 6: Roll the chilled dough into 1-tablespoon-sized balls. Generously coat each ball in powdered sugar, ensuring a thick layer for the crinkle effect.
7. Step 7: Arrange the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
8. Step 8: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookies are cracked on the surface but still soft in the center.
9. Step 9: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the dough.
• Chilling the dough is essential for easy handling and achieving the perfect crinkle texture.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or espresso powder to the dry ingredients.
• Try rolling some cookies in colored sanding sugar instead of powdered sugar for a sparkly effect.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, refrigerate up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently in the microwave for a few seconds to soften before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Regular food coloring can be used, but it may affect the dough’s consistency, making it a bit thinner. Gel food coloring is preferred as it provides vibrant color without changing the texture.

Why do I need to chill the dough?

Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll into balls and helps control spreading during baking. It also helps develop the signature crinkled surface on the cookies.

Halloween Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 102 reviews

Delightfully festive Halloween Crinkle Cookies that are soft, fudgy, and coated in powdered sugar to create a cracked, colorful exterior perfect for the spooky season. These easy-to-make cookies are tinted with vibrant gel food coloring and offer a chewy cocoa-rich center, making them an irresistible treat for Halloween celebrations.

• Author: Marco
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free blend)
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
• 2 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (orange, purple, or black)

Coating

• ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Instructions

1. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add your choice of gel food coloring to achieve a vibrant orange, purple, or black color and mix thoroughly.
3. Combine wet and dry: Gently stir the dry ingredient mixture into the wet mixture just until combined, avoiding overmixing to keep the cookies tender.
4. Chill the dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow it to firm up, or speed up the process by chilling it in the freezer for 30 minutes.
5. Prepare for baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
6. Shape the cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-tablespoon sized balls. Generously coat each ball in powdered sugar to create the classic crinkle effect.
7. Bake: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the cookies crack on the surface but remain soft in the center.
8. Cool: Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Use room temperature eggs to help the wet ingredients combine smoothly.
• Gel food coloring works best to achieve vibrant, rich hues without affecting dough consistency.
• Do not skip chilling the dough, as it helps control spreading and enhances the cookie texture.
• Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days for optimum freshness.

Keywords: Halloween cookies, crinkle cookies, chocolate cookies, festive cookies, fall baking, colorful cookies, cocoa cookies