Halloween Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate Halloween with these fun and festive Halloween Crinkle Cookies. Rich, chocolatey, and brightly colored with gel food coloring, these cookies crackle beautifully and are perfect for any spooky gathering.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (orange, purple, or black)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, beat the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth. Stir in gel food coloring until vibrant and evenly mixed.
3. Step 3: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. The dough will be sticky. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
4. Step 4: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
5. Step 5: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then coat each ball generously in powdered sugar.
6. Step 6: Place the coated cookies on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the cookies are crackled on top but still soft in the center.
7. Step 7: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Halloween treats!

Tips & Variations

• For extra vibrant colors, use gel food coloring as it won’t thin out the dough.
• Try different gel colors for a mix of Halloween shades or swirl two colors for a marbled effect.
• If dough feels too sticky after chilling, lightly flour your hands before rolling the balls.
• Replace vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle tropical note.

Storage

Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, place a slice of bread in the container to maintain moisture. Reheat briefly in a microwave or enjoy them at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?

You can, but gel food coloring is recommended because it provides richer colors without altering the dough’s consistency.

Why is it important to chill the dough?

Chilling firms up the sticky dough, making it easier to roll into balls and helping the cookies keep their shape while baking.

Halloween Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

These Halloween Crinkle Cookies are rich, chocolatey treats with a festive twist. Colored with vibrant gel food coloring in classic Halloween shades like orange, purple, or black, these cookies have a delightful crackled surface and a soft, fudgy center. Perfect for Halloween parties, they’re easy to prepare and bake, making them a fun seasonal bake that both kids and adults will enjoy.

• Author: Sana
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 cookies 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Gel food coloring (orange, purple, or black), to desired vibrancy

Coating

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well incorporated. Add gel food coloring gradually, stirring until the desired vibrant color is achieved.
3. Form Dough: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined. The dough will be sticky. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture. Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
4. Prepare for Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup. Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl for coating.
5. Shape and Coat Cookies: Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Generously coat each ball in the powdered sugar to create the signature crinkle effect during baking.
6. Arrange and Bake: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart to allow spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the cookies are crackled on the surface but still soft in the center.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your festive Halloween crinkle cookies!

Notes

• Refrigerating the dough is essential for easy shaping and to prevent spreading too much while baking.
• You can experiment with different gel food coloring colors to create a variety of Halloween-themed cookies.
• Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
• For a more intense chocolate flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
• Make sure not to overbake; cookies should remain soft inside for the best texture.

Keywords: Halloween cookies, crinkle cookies, chocolate cookies, festive cookies, holiday baking