Print

Halloween Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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