Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Ingredients (Makes 24 cookies)

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (use high-quality for richer flavor)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar substitute (such as monk fruit sweetener or erythritol, for lower SmartPoints)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Finishing Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar substitute (for rolling)
  • 1/2 tsp cornstarch (to prevent clumping)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mixture aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated sugar substitute using a hand mixer or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract for a boost of flavor.

Step 2: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

  1. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients in three additions, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can make the cookies dense.
  2. The dough will be sticky, which is normal for crinkle cookies.

Step 3: Chill the Dough

  1. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight. Chilling ensures the dough is firm enough to roll and helps create the iconic crinkle effect during baking.

Step 4: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Coating

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar substitute with cornstarch. The cornstarch prevents clumping and helps the sugar adhere better to the cookies.

Step 5: Shape the Cookies

  1. Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, portion out the dough into 24 even balls (about 1 tablespoon each). Roll each portion into a smooth ball with your hands.
  2. Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated.

Step 6: Arrange on Baking Sheets

  1. Place the coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading during baking.

Step 7: Bake the Cookies

  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are set but still slightly soft in the center.
  2. The cookies will puff up and form beautiful cracks on the surface, revealing the rich cocoa beneath the powdered sugar.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

  1. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
  2. Serve with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or low-fat milk for a festive treat.

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