Name: Festive Crinkle Cookies - Easy Chocolate Treats for the Holidays
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon sea salt; 2 cups all-purpose flour; ½ cup powdered sugar (for dusting); ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

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Introduction

Delightful and visually appealing, Festive Crinkle Cookies are a holiday favorite that brings joy to any dessert table. As the name suggests, these cookies feature a beautiful crinkled surface dusted with powdered sugar, giving them a festive appearance. Ideal for family gatherings or seasonal celebrations, these cookies are simple to prepare while delivering rich flavor in every bite. Their soft, chewy texture combined with the deep chocolatey flavor makes them irresistible to both kids and adults alike.

Perfectly suited for cookie exchanges or as a sweet ending to a holiday meal, these crinkle cookies also invite creativity when it comes to plating. You can serve them as a part of a dessert platter, showcasing their visual charm alongside other treats, enhancing the overall holiday atmosphere. Each bite of these cookies is like a warm hug, making them a go-to recipe for anyone looking to spread joy during the festive season.

Recipe Overview

– Prep Time: 30 minutes

– Cook Time: 12 minutes

– Total Time: 1 hour

– Course: Dessert

– Cuisine: American

– Servings: 24 cookies

– Calories: Approximately 150 per cookie

Festive Crinkle Cookies embody the spirit of American desserts with their soft, chewy texture and chocolatey goodness. The process is straightforward, making them suitable for both new and experienced bakers. With a total time of just one hour, including chilling, these delightful treats yield 24 delicious cookies at approximately 150 calories each.

Ingredients

– Granulated sugar: 1 cup

– Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup

– Large eggs: 2

– Pure vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon

– Baking powder: 2 teaspoons

– Sea salt: 1/2 teaspoon

– All-purpose flour: 2 cups

– Powdered sugar (for dusting): 1/2 cup

– Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/2 cup

Instructions

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and vegetable oil. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

3. Crack the eggs into the bowl one at a time, ensuring to mix thoroughly after each addition. Then, add the pure vanilla extract and mix until fully incorporated.

4. In a separate bowl, sift together the baking powder, sea salt, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour. This will help to eliminate any lumps and ensure even distribution of the dry ingredients.

5. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few flour streaks are perfectly fine.

6. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough will make it easier to handle and help the cookies maintain their shape.

7. After chilling, remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using your hands, roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball in powdered sugar until completely coated.

8. Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spaced about 2 inches apart for even baking.

9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. They are ready when the tops have formed a crinkled texture and are set but still soft to the touch.

10. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

11. For an extra festive touch, dust the cookies with additional powdered sugar just before serving.

Prepping the Oven

Before you even start mixing your ingredients, it’s essential to prepare your oven. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). A properly heated oven is critical for achieving the right texture and bake of the cookies. Additionally, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures that the cookies won’t stick to the sheet, making cleanup a breeze.

Mixing the Wet Ingredients

When it comes to creating the perfect base for your cookies, start by mixing your wet ingredients. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and vegetable oil. It’s vital to stir these until the mixture is completely smooth and well-blended, as this will set the foundation for the soft and chewy texture of your cookies. Once that is achieved, crack the eggs into the mixture one at a time. Mixing thoroughly after each addition is important to ensure even distribution. After you have fully incorporated the eggs, add the pure vanilla extract. This ingredient not only enhances the flavor profile but also contributes to the delightful aroma that will fill your kitchen.

Combining the Dry Ingredients

Next, you’ll prepare the dry ingredients, which are just as critical as the wet ones. In a separate bowl, take the time to sift together the baking powder, sea salt, cocoa powder, and all-purpose flour. Sifting is often overlooked, but this step is crucial as it helps to break up any lumps that may have formed and ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients throughout the cookie dough. Understanding the significance of this process will empower you to achieve a more uniform texture in your cookies.

Forming the Dough

The transition from mixing to forming the dough is where things start to come together. Gradually add the sifted dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until everything is just combined. It is essential to avoid overmixing at this stage; a few small flour streaks are perfectly acceptable and may improve the final texture of the cookies. Once combined, cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period is not just a waiting game; it’s a critical step that helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle and ensuring that your cookies maintain their shape during baking.

Shaping the Cookies

After the dough has chilled adequately, it’s time to get hands-on and start shaping your cookies. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll it into 1-inch balls with your hands. This step is not only fun but also incredibly satisfying. Once rolled, coat each dough ball thoroughly in powdered sugar. This coating will create that signature crinkled appearance as the cookies bake, ensuring they stand out on any dessert table.

Baking the Cookies

When it comes to the baking portion, make sure you have a well-arranged setup for the dough balls. Place them on your prepared baking sheet, ensuring that they are spaced about 2 inches apart. This is crucial for even baking, as the cookies will spread as they cook. When baking in your preheated oven, keep a close eye on them. They are done when they have developed a lovely crinkled texture on top, appearing set but still soft to the touch. Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack, where they will finish cooling completely.

As you prepare these Festive Crinkle Cookies, the sweet aroma of chocolate will fill your space, signaling that the holiday spirit is just around the corner. Each step taken in this process is a step closer to a cookie that not only looks delightful but also brings a smile to every face that takes a bite.

holiday gatherings or family celebrations, these cookies offer a delightful addition to any festive occasion. With their chewy interior and a delightful dusting of powdered sugar, they are sure to please cookie lovers of all ages.