Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)
Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies (Easy 5-Ingredient Recipe)
If you love fudgy brownies and soft chocolate cookies, these Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies give you the best of both in one easy dessert. They’re rich and chocolatey in the middle, lightly crisp around the edges, and covered in powdered sugar that cracks beautifully as they bake.
The best part is that you don’t need to make the dough completely from scratch. A box of fudge brownie mix does most of the work, while a few simple ingredients turn it into a thick, scoopable cookie dough.
These cookies are especially pretty on Christmas cookie trays, but they’re just as good for bake sales, family gatherings, or an afternoon chocolate craving. And with only five ingredients, they’re a great recipe to keep handy when you want homemade cookies without a lot of measuring.
Why You’ll Love These Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
- Only five ingredients: Everything comes together with brownie mix and a few pantry staples.
- Rich brownie flavor: The centers stay soft and fudgy, just like a good chocolate brownie.
- Easy preparation: You can have the dough ready in about 10 minutes.
- Beautiful crinkle tops: The powdered sugar creates a snowy coating with dark chocolate cracks.
- Perfect for sharing: These cookies look lovely on holiday dessert platters.
They’re also a fun baking project for kids who enjoy rolling cookie dough in powdered sugar.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need five ingredients to make these easy chocolate crinkle cookies.
Fudge Brownie Mix — 1 Box (18.3 oz)
Use a standard box of fudge brownie mix. It provides the chocolate flavor, sugar, and other dry ingredients needed for the cookies.
Don’t follow the brownie instructions printed on the box. You’ll use the dry mix with the ingredients listed in this recipe.
Large Eggs — 2
Eggs help hold the cookie dough together and contribute to the soft texture.
Vegetable Oil — ⅓ Cup
Oil adds moisture and helps keep the cookies tender. A neutral oil works best so the chocolate flavor stands out.
All-Purpose Flour — ¼ Cup
This small amount of extra flour thickens the brownie mixture into a cookie dough that can be scooped and shaped.
Powdered Sugar — 1 Cup
Powdered sugar creates the classic crinkle appearance. Be generous when coating the dough balls so the white sugar remains visible after baking.
How to Make Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Step 2: Prepare the Cookie Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry fudge brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and all-purpose flour.
Stir with a sturdy spoon or spatula until the ingredients form a thick, sticky dough.
The mixture will be thicker than regular brownie batter, which is exactly what you want.
Step 3: Prepare the Powdered Sugar
Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
If the sugar has lumps, sift it first to make coating the cookies easier.
Step 4: Scoop the Dough
Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough for each cookie.
Roll the dough gently between your hands to form balls.
If the dough feels too sticky to handle, refrigerate it for 15–20 minutes before shaping.
Step 5: Coat With Powdered Sugar
Place each dough ball in the bowl of powdered sugar.
Roll until completely covered with a thick white coating.
Don’t shake off all the excess sugar. A generous coating helps create the pretty cracked appearance as the cookies bake.
Step 6: Arrange on Baking Sheets
Place the coated dough balls on your prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between them.
The cookies will spread slightly while baking, so give them enough room.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 9–11 minutes, or until the tops have cracked and the edges look set.
The centers should still appear slightly soft. Avoid baking until the cookies feel completely firm, since they continue setting as they cool.
Step 8: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the baking sheets from the oven.
Allow the cookies to rest on the pans for about 3 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack.
Let them cool enough to hold their shape before serving.
Tips for Perfect Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Use the correct brownie mix size. This recipe is based on an 18.3-ounce box. A significantly different package size may change the dough’s consistency.
Don’t add the box ingredients. Use only the eggs, oil, and flour listed here, rather than the ingredients called for on the brownie package.
Chill sticky dough. Brownie cookie dough is naturally sticky. A short rest in the refrigerator makes it easier to roll.
Coat generously. A thick layer of powdered sugar produces more visible white patches between the chocolate cracks.
Avoid overbaking. The cookies should be set around the edges but still tender in the centers.
Bake similar-sized cookies together. Using a cookie scoop helps everything bake more evenly.
Easy Variations to Try
Once you’ve made the original recipe, there are several ways to change the flavor.
Double Chocolate Crinkles: Fold ½ cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough for extra chocolate in every bite.
Peppermint Crinkle Cookies: Add a small amount of peppermint extract for a festive Christmas variation.
Mocha Crinkle Cookies: Mix in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to deepen the chocolate flavor.
Peanut Butter Brownie Cookies: Try adding a small swirl of creamy peanut butter for a chocolate-peanut butter combination. This may change how much the cookies spread.
Each variation adds ingredients beyond the original five, but the basic preparation stays similar.
How to Store Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if necessary to protect the powdered sugar coating.
For longer storage, freeze the baked cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
You can also prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it, covered, for up to 2 days. Roll the dough in powdered sugar just before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make crinkle cookies from brownie mix?
Yes! Brownie mix makes a convenient base for chocolate crinkle cookies. Adding eggs, oil, and a little flour creates a thick dough that can be rolled in powdered sugar and baked.
Why didn’t my crinkle cookies crack?
The dough may have spread too much, the powdered sugar coating may have been too thin, or the oven may not have been fully preheated. Make sure the oven reaches 350°F and coat the dough generously.
Why are my brownie mix cookies flat?
Flat cookies can result from dough that’s too warm or from using a brownie mix with a different formulation. Chilling the dough before baking can help reduce spreading.
Can I freeze the cookie dough?
Yes. Portion the dough into balls and freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Coat in powdered sugar before baking. Frozen dough may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
Are brownie mix crinkle cookies supposed to be soft?
Yes. These cookies should have tender, fudgy centers rather than a dry or crunchy texture. They will firm up as they cool.
A Simple Chocolate Cookie Everyone Will Love
These Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies are a wonderful shortcut when you want something homemade without starting from scratch.
With their rich chocolate centers, soft texture, and pretty powdered sugar tops, they’re perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges, dessert trays, or a sweet treat with a glass of milk.
Keep a box of brownie mix in your pantry, and you’ll always be just a few ingredients away from a delicious batch of chocolate cookies.
Easy Brownie Mix Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the dry brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and flour.
- Stir until a thick, sticky cookie dough forms.
- Pour the powdered sugar into a shallow bowl.
- Scoop approximately 1½ tablespoons of dough and roll into balls.
- Coat each dough ball generously in powdered sugar.
- Place the coated balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes, until the tops crack and the edges are set.
- Cool on the baking sheets for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
Don't prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions.
Chill sticky dough for 15–20 minutes before rolling.
Coat generously with powdered sugar for the best crinkle effect.
Avoid overbaking to keep the centers soft.
Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
