Description
These fudgy, crackly chocolate crinkle cookies are made with pantry staples like cake mix and cocoa powder. They are easy to make, affordable, and perfect for busy weeknights or bake sales.
Ingredients
Scale
- 15.25 oz box yellow cake mix
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix and unsweetened cocoa powder until no lumps remain.
- Add the vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until the dough comes together. If using, fold in chocolate chips.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into 1.5-inch balls using a tablespoon or cookie scoop.
- Fill a small bowl with powdered sugar and roll each dough ball until completely coated, shaking off excess.
- Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between them.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges look set but the centers are still soft.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Do not overbake; the cookies should look slightly underdone when removed from the oven as they firm up while cooling. Chilling the dough is crucial for creating the crinkle effect. You can freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months and bake from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to the bake time. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: chocolate crinkle cookies, cake mix cookies, budget friendly dessert, easy cookies, fudgy cookies, kid friendly treats