These Chocolate Crinkle Kiss Cookies feature a soft, fudgy center, are rolled in powdered sugar, and are finished with a candy kiss pressed into the middle while still warm. They make a festive addition to a cookie tray and are especially lovely during the holidays.
Fudgy, snowy, and topped with a kiss — a perfect holiday treat.
Christmas Thumbprint Cookies
These cookies are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients. The dough is fudgy and sticky, rolled in powdered sugar before baking, and crowned with a candy Kiss while the cookies are still hot so the chocolate melts slightly and creates a pretty, glossy center.
Making Chocolate Crinkle Kiss Cookies
One key step is chilling the dough overnight. Chilling prevents excessive spreading and helps produce the classic crinkle surface when the cookies are baked. I work in batches while baking — keep the unused dough refrigerated until you’re ready to roll and bake the next batch.
The dough is very soft and fudge-like. To prepare it, combine the wet ingredients until smooth, then slowly mix in the dry ingredients until just incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to firm up the dough.
Baking the Cookies
When ready to bake, remove the chilled dough and roll portions into 1-inch balls. Coat each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar and place them on a prepared cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Silicone baking mats or parchment paper work well to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Bake at 350°F for about 9–11 minutes. Right after removing the cookies from the oven, gently press a candy kiss into the center of each warm cookie so it melts slightly and adheres. Let the cookies cool completely on the pan before transferring them to an airtight container for storage.
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Crinkle Kiss Cookies
Dana
Equipment
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Baking Sheet
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Silicone Baking Mat or Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup powdered sugar for rolling cookies
- Hershey Kisses (or similar chocolate candies)
Instructions
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Combine the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and vegetable oil in a bowl.
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Beat in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.
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Gradually add the baking powder, salt, and flour, mixing until incorporated.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
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Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and coat each ball in powdered sugar.
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Place cookies about 2 inches apart and bake for 9–11 minutes.
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Remove from the oven and immediately press a candy kiss into the center of each cookie.
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Allow cookies to cool completely before moving them. Store in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate based on calculations and may vary with ingredient brands and portion sizes.
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