Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies begin with a cake mix combined with a warm blend of ginger, cinnamon & cloves for a delicious chewy cookie with fabulous flavor.
To make these chocolate crinkle cookie recipe, you only need 7 basic ingredients that some of which are most likely already in your kitchen. When baked, these spiced cookies form a crinkled surface that is both visually appealing and delicious.
Evolution of the Crinkle Cookie
The crinkle cookie is a type of cookie that has been around for many years. It is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 1900s. The cookie gets its name from the way it looks after it has been baked. The surface of the cookie cracks and forms a crinkled appearance, which gives it a unique texture.
Over the years, the crinkle cookie has evolved to include a variety of flavors and ingredients. One popular variation is this spiced chocolate crinkle cookie. To simplify this recipe we use a chocolate cake mix and spice it up with cinnamon, and other spices to create a rich, flavorful cookie that is perfect for any occasion. Its unique combination of spices and chocolate creates a flavor that is both sweet and savory, making it an ideal treat for any time of day.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Cookie Recipe
- Rich Chocolate Flavor: These cookies are made with a boxed cake mix base, giving them a rich, chocolatey flavor that will satisfy any chocolate lover’s cravings. The addition of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves adds a depth of flavor that perfectly complements the chocolate.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The texture of these cookies is soft and chewy, with a slightly crispy exterior. The use of the cake mix gives them a soft, tender crumb that will melt in your mouth.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is straightforward and easy to follow, making it perfect for both novice and experienced bakers. The dough comes together quickly and requires no chilling, so you can have freshly baked cookies in no time.
Ingredients for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Powder sugar: You will need ½ cup of powdered sugar to create the “crinkle” in these delicious cookies.
Chocolate cake mix: Use one 15.25-oz box of chocolate fudge cake mix for the base of this easy cookie dough.
Vegetable oil: Adding ½ cup of vegetable oil will give these treats the needed fats to stay nice and moist through the baking process.
Eggs: Give these cookies amazing texture and taste by using 2 eggs in the dough.
Ginger: ½ tsp of ginger in this recipe will give the cookies a slightly sweet & spicy flavor.
Cinnamon: Add ½ tsp of cinnamon for a warm and earthy taste that is undeniably good.
Cloves: For even more rich spiced flavor, use ¼ tsp of cloves in this dough.
How to make Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Prep
Get the oven preheating to 350°F. Then line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicon mats, set them aside.
Also, measure out the powder sugar into a small bowl and set aside for future use.
Dough
In a large bowl, mix the dry cake mix, oil, and eggs together until well combined. Next, add in the ginger and cinnamon, stir to incorporate.
Continue to form the dough into 1-inch balls, roll them in the powder sugar until coated, and then transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
Bake
Proceed to place the cookies into the preheated oven and bake for 8-11 minutes. Immediately remove the cookies from the baking sheets and let them cool completely on wire racks.
Serve and enjoy!
Flavor Pairing and Variations for Chocolate Cookies
Classic Combinations
Spiced chocolate crinkle cookies are a classic treat that pairs well with a variety of flavors. These cookies are perfect for dipping in a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. Some classic flavor pairings for spiced chocolate crinkle cookies include:
- Peppermint: Crushed candy canes or peppermint extract can be added to the cookie dough for a festive twist.
- Orange: The zest of an orange can be added to the dough for a citrusy flavor that complements the spices.
- Cinnamon: A sprinkle of cinnamon mixed in with the powder sugar coating adds an extra layer of warmth to the flavor.
Innovative Twists
While spiced chocolate crinkle cookies are delicious on their own, they can also be customized with innovative flavor combinations. Here are a few ideas to try:
- Nutella: Add a dollop of Nutella to the center of each cookie before baking for a gooey surprise inside.
- Sea Salt: Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of the cookies before baking for a sweet and salty flavor combination.
- Espresso: Add a shot of espresso to the cookie dough for a rich and bold coffee flavor.
How long do chocolate crinkle cookies stay fresh after baking?
Spiced chocolate crinkle cookies will stay fresh for up to one week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, they can be frozen for up to three months. To thaw, simply let them come to room temperature before serving.
How do I achieve the perfect crinkle effect on my cookies?
To achieve the perfect crinkle effect on your chocolate cookies, an option is to chill the dough before baking. This will help the dough to hold its shape and prevent the cookies from spreading too much. Make sure when rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar to coat the entire ball, this will create the signature cracked appearance on the surface of the cookies.
What is the difference between traditional and Mexican chocolate crinkle cookies?
Our version of the chocolate crinkle cookies is made with a chocolate cake mix, while Mexican chocolate crinkle cookies are made with Mexican chocolate, which contains cinnamon and other spices. Mexican chocolate crinkle cookies also tend to have a slightly more complex flavor profile than other chocolate crinkle cookies.
Try more chocolate cookie recipes here:
- Caramel Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Shortbread Cookies
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Chocolate Caramel Cake Mix Cookies
- Surprise Chocolate Kiss Cookies
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake Mix Cookies
- Cinnamon Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Cosmic Brownie Cookies
- White Chocolate Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies
- Fudge Walnut Cake Mix Cookies
- Dirt Cake Cookies
- Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Junior Mint Cookies
Spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are a rich and flavorful cookie that is sure to become a new family favorite. Make these cake mix chocolate cookies with only 7 ingredients and in under 30 minutes!
Linda says
Can I use cinnamon flavored chocolate chips instead of cinnamon
Nellie says
That sounds like a great idea!