There is a specific kind of exhaustion that comes with the holidays. I remember those Decembers at the hospital the long hours, the flickering lights, and the walk home through the cold. You want to create magic for your family, but your own house can feel
like a place that asks for too much when you’re running on empty. I used to stand in my kitchen, staring at a bag of flour, and realize I just didn’t have the mental energy for “from-scratch” measurements.
That is why Stuffani and I perfected these chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix treats. This is the best chocolate crinkle cookies recipe for those moments when you need a “win” without the work. They are a simple Christmas cookie recipe that looks like fallen snow on a fudgy landscape, but they are secretly a quick 3-ingredient dessert idea base that we’ve elevated. It’s a family-friendly baking idea that restores the joy of the season without stealing your rest
- Prep Time 10 mins
- Cook Time 10 mins
- Total Time 20 mins
- Yield 24 cookies
- Category Dessert
- Method Baking
- Cuisine American
Ingredients (Ingredients + Substitutes)
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix: Our “Strategic Base.” It removes the need for measuring dry goods. Substitute: Any chocolate variety, or check out our gluten-free chocolate cake mix recipes.
Vegetable Oil: Creates the soft and chewy cookie recipe texture. Substitute: Melted butter for a richer, shortbread-like finish.
2 Large Eggs: The essential binder. Substitute: ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce per egg for a softer, more cake-like feel.
Vanilla Extract: My “Nurse’s Secret” to mask the “box” flavor. Substitute: Peppermint extract for a festive Christmas cookie idea.
Powdered Sugar: Creates the signature “crinkle” look. Substitute: Granulated sugar first, then powdered sugar for a more defined crack
How to Make chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix
Step 1:
The One-Bowl Triage Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oil, eggs, and vanilla. This is a one-bowl dessert recipe for beginners that keeps your counter clear and your mind calm. Mix until a thick, heavy dough forms.
Step 2:
The Chill Strategy If your hands are warm or the house is busy, chill the dough for 30 minutes. This is one of my top chocolate cookie dough tips to make the rolling process effortless.
Step 3:
The Surgical Roll Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and roll them until they are heavily coated. This ensures they become fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies with high-contrast patterns.
Step 4:
The Golden Bake Bake for 9-11 minutes. This is a 15-minute homemade cookie recipe (minus chill time) where you wait for the “cracks” to appear. Let them rest for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool.
Tips
- Generous Sugar Coating: Don’t be shy; the dough “drinks” the sugar. A heavy coat ensures the best crinkle.
- Chilling is Triage: Chilled dough spreads less, giving you a thicker, chewy chocolate cookie recipe.
- Parchment Protocol: Always use parchment paper. It’s a low-effort baking idea for parties that saves you from scrubbing pans.
- Uniform Scaling: Use a small scoop so every cookie is a “standardized dose” of sweetness.
- Oven Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer. Too hot, and the sugar burns; too cool, and they won’t crack.
- Sugar Sifting: Sift your powdered sugar to remove lumps for a smoother homemade chocolate crinkles look.
- The Cooling Phase: Let them firm up on the tray. Moving them too early is the #1 cause of broken cookies.
- Dough Texture: If the dough is too soft, add 1 tablespoon of flour. It’s a common cake mix baking hack.
Variations and The Fix-It Table
Variations You’ll Love
Peanut Butter Crinkles: Add a dollop of peanut butter to the center, inspired by our chocolate peanut butter cake mix treats.
Double Chocolate: Fold in mini chocolate chips for double chocolate chip cookies in every bite.
Butterfinger Crunch: Roll in crushed candy instead of sugar for a butterfinger caramel crunch cookies twist.
Coffee Infusion: Add 1 tsp of espresso powder to the dough for a deep, caramel chocolate coffee cheesecake flavor.
Common Problems & Fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No crinkles appeared | Oven temperature too low | Check oven temp; preheat longer |
| Sugar vanished | Dough was too wet | Chill dough and coat twice in sugar |
| Cookies are flat | Warm dough or too much oil | Chill dough for 30+ minutes |
| Dry or tough texture | Baked too long | Reduce bake time by 1-2 minutes |
| Sticky dough | Large eggs added moisture | Add 1 tbsp of all-purpose flour |
| Burnt bottoms | Dark baking sheet used | Use parchment or a light-colored pan |
| Sugar falling off | Sugar was too lumpy | Sift sugar before rolling |
| Oily texture | Oil wasn’t emulsified | Mix dough until fully combined |
How to Store and Reheat
Make-Ahead: These are delicious make-ahead holiday treats. You can freeze the rolled balls (before baking) for up to 3 months.
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
Reheat: 8 seconds in the microwave to make them feel like fudgy chocolate crinkle cookies fresh from the oven.
Pairings: Serve with hot cocoa or alongside our white chocolate cranberry pistachio truffles.
Sauce Variations And Cooking Methods
Toppings to Elevate Your chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix
Peppermint Ganache: A drizzle of melted chocolate and crushed mint. “It smells like a winter morning.”
Marshmallow Center: Stuff a mini-marshmallow inside the dough ball for a “hot cocoa” surprise.
Sea Salt Drizzle: A light caramel drizzle to balance the powdered sugar cookie recipe sweetness.
Alternate Baking Methods
Air Fryer: 320°F for 7 minutes. It’s the easiest chocolate dessert ever for a quick craving.
Toaster Oven: 340°F for small batches. Perfect for when the big oven feels like too much work.
Convection Oven: Reduce heat by 25°F to ensure the crinkles set without burning the sugar.
Real swaps that feel like home / Easy touches
No Chocolate Mix? Use a vanilla mix and add ¼ cup cocoa powder. It’s a great chocolate cake mix cookie recipe pivot.
Festive Flare: Use colored sanding sugar instead of powdered sugar for a jewel-toned look.
Softness Hack: Place a piece of bread in the cookie jar to keep your soft chocolate cookies from cake mix moist for a week.
Timing & Texture
- Minute 0–5: Mixing the dough the “shift change” from busy to baking.
- Minute 5–35: The Chill (Optional but recommended).
- Minute 35–45: Rolling and Sugaring an easy dessert kids can help bake.
- Minute 45–55: The Bake and the “Nurse’s Rest.”
Dietary Adaptations
Gluten-Free: Follow our guide for gluten-free chocolate cake mix recipes and ensure your sugar is certified GF.
Vegan: Swap eggs for ¼ cup carbonated water and use a dairy-free cake mix.
Low-Fat: Substitute oil with applesauce or pumpkin puree for a more soft and chewy cookie recipe feel.
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FAQ About chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix
-
Why didn’t my cookies crack?
Usually, the oven isn’t hot enough or the dough was too dry. Ensure your measurements are precise.
-
Can I use melted butter?
Yes, it makes them taste like german chocolate pecan brownies.
-
Do I have to chill the dough?
It’s not mandatory, but it’s a chocolate cookie dough tip that makes rolling much cleaner.
-
How do I get the white sugar to stay white?
Roll in granulated sugar first, THEN powdered sugar. It creates a barrier.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix- quick
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix style are the perfect easy holiday dessert for busy moms. With a fudgy, brownie-like center and a high-contrast powdered sugar finish, they are the best chocolate crinkle cookies recipe for those who need a quick dessert to impress guests with zero stress.
Ingredients
▢ 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
▢ ⅓ cup vegetable oil
▢ 2 large eggs
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
▢ ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
Triage your kitchen: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and prevent the sugar from sticking.
Build the base (Mix the dough): In a large mixing bowl, combine the 1 box chocolate cake mix, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 2 eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla. Stir for 2 to 3 minutes until a thick, stiff dough forms. No mixer required for this one-bowl dessert recipe for beginners.
The Surgical Prep (Rolling): Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and roll it into a 1-inch ball. Place ½ cup powdered sugar in a small bowl and roll each ball until it is generously and heavily coated.
The Golden Bake: Place the balls 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 9–11 minutes. The edges should look set, but the center will still look slightly soft—this is where the fudgy magic happens.
Recovery and Rest: Let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes. This is the “vital sign” that allows the crinkle pattern to set before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Substitutions:
Vegetable Oil → Melted butter for a richer, more decadent easy chocolate cookie recipe.
Chocolate Mix → Swap for devil’s food or fudge mix; or try our lazy chocolate chip cookie bars if you prefer a pan bake.
Eggs → Flax egg or applesauce for a quick 3-ingredient dessert idea adaptation.
Powdered Sugar → Use granulated sugar first for a more defined “old-fashioned” crackle.
Tips:
Build the base – Stir the mix and oil until no dry streaks remain. A consistent base prevents the cookies from spreading too thin.
Bloom the flavor – Add a pinch of espresso powder to the dough to make it taste like a homemade chocolate crinkle.
Press firmly – If you want flatter cookies, press the balls slightly after rolling, but for classic crinkles, leave them round.
The “Nurse’s Cut” – Let the pan sit! Moving these while warm will smudge the beautiful sugar pattern.
Storage – Store in an airtight container for up to 7 days. These are the perfect delicious make-ahead holiday treats.
Variation – Try our 6-ingredients easy no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars for another no-fail holiday option.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 155kcal
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 190mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: chocolate crinkle cookies cake mix, chocolate crinkles, holiday cookies, cake mix recipes, easy baking
