Deep, fudgy chocolate flavor, crinkly tops dusted in snowy powdered sugar, and a soft, brownie-like center—these Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies have serious showstopper energy. They look bakery-level fancy but come together with simple pantry ingredients and a basic mixing bowl.

The dough bakes up into cookies that are crisp at the edges, gooey in the middle, and covered in those iconic crackles that make crinkle cookies so irresistible. Whether you’re filling a holiday cookie tray, planning a bake sale, or just craving a chocolate fix on a weeknight, this cookie recipe belongs in your regular rotation.

Why You’ll Love This Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Brownie meets cookie. You get the chewy, fudgy center of a brownie with the convenient, handheld shape of a cookie.
Picture-perfect crackles. A double sugar coating helps create dramatic white crinkles that contrast beautifully with the dark chocolate dough.
No mixer required. Melted butter and chocolate keep the batter smooth and easy to stir together by hand.
Make-ahead friendly. The dough chills well, so you can prep it earlier in the day (or even the night before) and bake when you’re ready.
Perfect for gifting. These cookies travel well, stay soft for days, and look impressive tucked into tins and boxes.

What Makes These Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies So Fudgy?

The secret to the brownie-like texture is a mix of melted butter and real chocolate combined with cocoa powder. The melted chocolate adds richness and a dense, fudgy chew, while cocoa powder intensifies the flavor without thinning the dough. A higher ratio of sugar to flour keeps the centers soft, and chilling the dough before baking helps the cookies hold their shape while the tops puff, crack, and set in the oven.

Ingredients

Before you preheat the oven, take a moment to get familiar with what each ingredient is doing in these cookies. Understanding the “why” behind the list makes it easier to tweak them to your own taste later.

All-purpose flour – Provides structure so the cookies hold their shape while staying soft and chewy.
Unsweetened cocoa powder – Deepens the chocolate flavor and helps create that brownie-style richness.
Baking powder – Gives the cookies a gentle lift so they puff and crack nicely in the oven.
Fine sea salt – Balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate flavor pop.
Unsalted butter – Melted butter adds moisture and a tender, fudgy texture; unsalted lets you control the overall salt level.
Semisweet chocolate – Melted into the butter for a rich, brownie-like base with glossy, deep chocolate flavor.
Granulated sugar – Sweetens the dough, helps create crinkly tops, and is also used for the first coating before baking.
Light brown sugar – Adds moisture and a hint of caramel depth that keeps the cookies chewy for days.
Large eggs – Bind the dough together and add richness; they also help create that shiny, crackled surface.
Vanilla extract – Rounds out the chocolate with warm, aromatic flavor.
Powdered sugar – The final coating that bakes into those signature snowy crinkles.

How To Make the Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Once your ingredients are measured and ready, this batter comes together quickly. Plan for a short chill time so the dough can firm up before you roll and bake.

Step 1: Prepare the pans and whisk the dry ingredients

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats so the cookies release easily and keep their shape. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until everything is evenly combined and no cocoa lumps remain.

Step 2: Melt the chocolate and butter

In a heatproof bowl, combine the chopped semisweet chocolate and butter. Melt them together in short bursts in the microwave or over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring until smooth and glossy. Set the mixture aside to cool slightly so it doesn’t scramble the eggs later.

Step 3: Mix the sugars and eggs

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and eggs until the mixture is thick, smooth, and slightly lightened in color. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the batter with warm aroma.

Step 4: Build the brownie batter

Slowly pour the lukewarm melted chocolate and butter mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly until fully combined. Switch to a spatula and gently fold in the dry ingredients, mixing just until no streaks of flour remain. The dough will be thick and sticky, similar to brownie batter.

Step 5: Chill the dough

Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the dough for 45–60 minutes, or until firm enough to scoop and roll without sticking badly to your hands. Chilling prevents the cookies from spreading too much and helps create those dramatic crackled tops.

Near the end of the chill time, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Pour some granulated sugar into one shallow bowl and powdered sugar into another. Scoop the dough into equal portions and roll each portion into a smooth ball between your palms. Roll every dough ball first in the granulated sugar to create a light shell, then generously in the powdered sugar so it’s thoroughly coated.

Step 7: Bake and cool

Arrange the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them a couple of inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake until the cookies are puffed, the tops are cracked, and the edges are just set while the centers still look slightly soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and finish setting.

How Many People Do These Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies Serve?

This recipe yields about 24 medium cookies, which is usually enough to comfortably serve 10–12 people if everyone enjoys two cookies. They’re perfect for cookie exchanges, potlucks, or as an easy dessert platter for a casual dinner party. Pair them with cold milk, hot coffee, or a mug of cocoa for a cozy treat.

If you’re baking for a crowd, you can easily double the recipe. Just make sure to chill the dough in a wider, shallower container so it firms up evenly, and bake in batches so the cookies have plenty of space to spread and crackle.

How To Store Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

Proper storage keeps these cookies soft and fudgy for days and makes them excellent make-ahead treats.

Room temperature: Once completely cool, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and chewy for about 4–5 days. To keep the powdered sugar looking its best, layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper.
Re-softening cookies: If the cookies start to feel a bit firm, add a small slice of sandwich bread to the container, close it, and let them sit overnight. The cookies will absorb a bit of moisture from the bread and soften back up.
Freezing baked cookies: Place cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature; if desired, dust with a tiny bit of extra powdered sugar before serving.
Freezing cookie dough: Scoop and roll the dough into balls, but skip the sugar coatings. Freeze the plain dough balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, let them sit at room temperature just until soft enough to roll in the sugars, then bake as directed, adding a minute or two to the bake time if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need to chill the dough?
Yes, chilling is key for thick, chewy crinkle cookies. The dough starts out quite soft from the melted butter and chocolate. Chilling firms it up so the cookies don’t spread into thin puddles and helps the tops crack dramatically as they bake.

Why do I roll the dough in granulated sugar and then powdered sugar?
The granulated sugar creates a thin shell that slows how quickly the cookie surface sets in the oven. That gives the dough time to puff and crack underneath, while the powdered sugar on the outside stays bright and white, highlighting all those crinkles.

Can I use dark chocolate instead of semisweet?
Absolutely. Dark chocolate will make the cookies richer and slightly less sweet. If you prefer a deeper, more intense chocolate flavor, dark chocolate is a delicious swap. For a sweeter cookie, stick with semisweet or even a mix of semisweet and milk chocolate.

What’s the best way to keep the powdered sugar from melting into the cookies?
Make sure the dough is well chilled, and give each dough ball a generous coating in powdered sugar right before baking. Rolling in granulated sugar first also helps. If your kitchen is very warm, keep the tray of coated dough balls in the fridge while the first batch bakes.

Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Yes, you can fold in a small handful of chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, or pecans after mixing in the dry ingredients. Just avoid adding too much, or the dough may not spread and crack as nicely. About a half cup of mix-ins in total is usually plenty.

If these Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies win you over, you’ll probably fall for these other fun cookie recipes too:

Try a coconut-and-chocolate combo with these Small-Batch Almond Joy Cookies for a quick dessert when you don’t need a full batch.
Get a stuffed-cookie surprise from these indulgent Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Craving crunch? These Chocolate Hazelnut Crunch Cookies layer nutty texture with rich chocolate flavor.
For a festive winter treat, bake a batch of Chocolate Snowball Cookies with White Chocolate Center.
If you like a cozy spice twist, don’t miss the warmly spiced Chai Spiced Pumpkin Cookies.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save these Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies to your Pinterest dessert or holiday cookie board so you can find them easily whenever a chocolate craving hits.

Bake a batch as written the first time, then play around with different chocolates, mix-ins, and even flavored extracts to make the recipe your own. Did you try dark chocolate, a pinch of espresso powder, or maybe a handful of chopped nuts?

I love hearing how others customize their cookies, so don’t be shy about sharing your version. And if you’re looking for even more baking inspiration and everyday food ideas, you can always find new treats and meal ideas on Pinterest at Life With Livia.

Chewy Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies