Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies

Soft, colorful crinkle cookies with spooky vibes and a festive sugar-dusted finish — perfect for your Halloween dessert table!

These Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic chocolate crinkle — vibrant with haunting Halloween hues and irresistibly chewy centers. Whether you’re planning a party, trick-or-treat gathering, or a fun baking day with the kids, these cookies bring festive flair and spooky sweetness.

The dramatic crinkled powdered sugar coating cracks as the cookies bake, revealing bright, bold colors beneath — a magical transformation that’s as fun to watch as it is to eat!

Why You’ll Love This

• Vibrant & Festive – Customizable Halloween colors like purple, green, orange, or black.
• Soft & Chewy – The perfect crinkle texture: crisp outside, tender inside.
• Make-Ahead Friendly – Dough chills well and can be prepared in advance.
• Kid-Friendly Fun – Great for little hands to help roll and decorate.
• Dairy-Free & Vegetarian – Fits a variety of dietary preferences.

Ingredients

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Gel food coloring (orange, purple, green, black)

For Rolling

• ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Make the Dough Base
   In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
2. Add Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a thick dough forms.
3. Divide & Color
   Separate the dough into several bowls and tint each batch with your chosen gel food colors. Mix until vibrant and fully blended.
4. Chill Thoroughly
   Cover bowls and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough and create the perfect crackle.
5. Preheat Oven & Shape Cookies
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then generously coat in powdered sugar.
6. Bake
   Arrange on baking sheets with space between cookies. Bake for 10–12 minutes until cracked and just set. Cool on tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Tips, Storage & FAQs

Tips

• Use gel food coloring for bold, vivid colors without thinning the dough.
• Chill the dough well for dramatic cracks and easy shaping.
• Add a touch of orange zest or peppermint extract for extra Halloween flair.

Storage

• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• Dough can be refrigerated up to 48 hours. Let soften before rolling.

FAQs

• Can I freeze the dough? Yes, freeze shaped balls (without powdered sugar) for up to 1 month. Thaw slightly and roll in sugar before baking.
• Why didn’t my cookies crack? Dough may have been too warm — chilling is essential.
• Can I skip the food coloring? Yes, you’ll have classic chocolate crinkles instead.

Final Thoughts

These Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies are an easy, eye-catching dessert that kids and adults alike will love. Customize your colors, make them ahead, and watch them vanish from the plate as fast as they bake. Perfect for adding a pop of fun to your haunted celebrations!

The Goods

Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies

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These Spooky Halloween Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and loaded with festive color! Easy to make and perfect for Halloween parties, they’re fun, flavorful, and frightfully good.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Recipes

For the Cookie Dough

• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1¾ cups granulated sugar
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• Gel food coloring orange, purple, green, black

For Rolling

• ½ cup powdered sugar

Instructions

Make the Dough Base

• In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

Add Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a thick dough forms.

Divide & Color

• Separate the dough into several bowls and tint each batch with your chosen gel food colors. Mix until vibrant and fully blended.

Chill Thoroughly

• Cover bowls and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to firm up the dough and create the perfect crackle.

Preheat Oven & Shape Cookies

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment. Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls, then generously coat in powdered sugar.

Bake

• Arrange on baking sheets with space between cookies. Bake for 10–12 minutes until cracked and just set. Cool on tray for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

Use gel food coloring for bold, vivid colors without thinning the dough.

Chill the dough well for dramatic cracks and easy shaping.

Add a touch of orange zest or peppermint extract for extra Halloween flair.