These spooky Halloween crinkle cookies are the ultimate festive treat—soft, fudgy on the inside with a perfectly crinkled and powdered exterior. With bold colors like black, orange, purple, and green, they’re an eye-catching addition to any Halloween dessert spread. I love how fun they look and how easy they are to make with basic pantry ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love making these Halloween crinkle cookies because they deliver a chewy, brownie-like texture with minimal effort. The crackly powdered sugar coating is not only fun to look at but also adds a subtle sweetness. These cookies are ideal for parties, school events, or just getting into the spooky spirit with the family. Plus, I can customize the colors to match any Halloween theme.
ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Granulated sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (black, orange, purple, green)
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
directions
- I start by whisking together the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In another bowl, I mix the sugar and vegetable oil until smooth, then add the eggs and vanilla extract.
- I slowly combine the wet and dry ingredients until a sticky dough forms.
- I divide the dough into equal parts depending on how many colors I want to use.
- I add a different gel food coloring to each dough portion, mixing until the color is vibrant.
- I cover the dough and chill it in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Once chilled, I scoop out tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls.
- I generously roll each ball in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- I place the dough balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes until they crackle and spread slightly.
- I let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 24 cookies. I prep everything in around 20 minutes, chill the dough for 1 hour, and bake them in just 10-12 minutes. In total, I can have these ready in under 1.5 hours.
Variations
- I sometimes use different color combinations to match other seasonal events.
- For a chocolate boost, I fold in mini chocolate chips before chilling the dough.
- To make them extra spooky, I press a candy eyeball into the center of each cookie after baking.
- If I want a more intense cocoa flavor, I substitute some of the flour with dark cocoa powder.
storage/reheating
I store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them soft, I place a slice of bread in the container. If they firm up, I reheat them for about 5-7 seconds in the microwave to bring back a touch of that just-baked softness.
FAQs
How do I get the best crinkle effect?
I make sure to roll the dough balls generously in powdered sugar and avoid overbaking, which helps create that distinct crinkled look.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, I often prepare the dough a day in advance and keep it in the fridge until I’m ready to bake.
Do I need to use gel food coloring?
I recommend gel because it gives vibrant colors without thinning the dough, unlike liquid food coloring.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes, I freeze the rolled dough balls (before the sugar coating) and thaw them slightly before rolling in powdered sugar and baking.
Why is my dough too sticky to roll?
If the dough is too sticky, I chill it longer or dust my hands with a bit of powdered sugar to help with handling.
Conclusion
These spooky Halloween crinkle cookies are a fun, festive treat I enjoy baking every October. They’re colorful, soft, and easy enough for anyone to make. Whether I’m whipping up a batch for a party or a cozy night in, these cookies never fail to impress with their crinkly charm and rich flavor.
Print
The Best Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 32 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These spooky Halloween crinkle cookies are soft and fudgy on the inside with a crinkled, powdered sugar exterior. Colored in festive shades of black, orange, purple, and green, they’re a fun and eye-catching treat perfect for Halloween parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
Gel food coloring (black, orange, purple, green)
1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
- In another bowl, mix sugar and vegetable oil until smooth, then add eggs and vanilla extract.
- Gradually combine the wet and dry ingredients to form a sticky dough.
- Divide the dough into portions and color each with different gel food coloring.
- Cover and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls.
- Coat each dough ball generously in powdered sugar.
- Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until crinkled and set.
- Cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Use gel food coloring for vibrant results without altering dough consistency.
Chilling the dough is crucial for easy rolling and pronounced crinkle effect.
Store cookies with a slice of bread to keep them soft.
Microwave for a few seconds to refresh texture if they firm up.
Customize colors to match different holidays or events.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
