Nothing says holiday cheer quite like biting into chewy, colorful cookies dusted in powdered sugar. These crinkle cookies are bursting with festive vibes and flavor, making them a must-make treat this season. I’m excited to share my easy, fail-proof Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe that you and your loved ones will adore.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe is a joyful blend of simplicity and holiday spirit. I always reach for this recipe because it comes together quickly, uses handy ingredients like cake mix, and yields that classic crinkly texture that cozy holiday afternoons call for.
- Ready in Under 20 Minutes: From mixing to baking, these cookies come together super fast – perfect for last-minute cookie cravings.
- Vibrant Holiday Colors: The red and green dough is so festive you’ll want to display these cookies front and center on your holiday platter.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: They bake up tender inside with that irresistible crackly sugar exterior.
- Uses Pantry Staples: No need for fancy ingredients—just a white cake mix, eggs, oil, and a splash of food coloring!
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe smartly leans on a white cake mix as the base, which guarantees tender cookies without fuss. The eggs and olive oil bind everything and add moisture, while the powdered sugar coating creates that signature crackled look. The red and green food colorings? Pure holiday magic.
- White Cake Mix: The heart of these cookies, it offers just the right sweetness and tender crumb without needing to measure a dozen dry ingredients.
- Eggs: Help bind the dough and give cookies their structure.
- Olive Oil: Adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft—plus I love the subtle richness it provides.
- Powdered Sugar: Coats each cookie to give them that classic crinkle and a touch of extra sweetness.
- Red and Green Food Coloring: Bring the festive colors to life; I use a toothpick to add just enough for vibrant but not overpowering hues.
Make It Your Way
I love playing with this recipe, especially by swapping out the colors or adding a bit of flavor extract. You can totally make these cookies your own and still end up with a festive crowd-pleaser.
- Variation: Once, I stirred in a teaspoon of peppermint extract to complement the festive colors—a hit with my family!
- Dietary Adjustments: If you want a dairy-free version, olive oil works perfectly, but check your cake mix ingredients to ensure they suit your needs.
- Seasonal Twists: Try orange and purple food coloring for Halloween, or pastel colors for Easter!
Step-by-Step: How I Make Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Get Your Oven and Prep Ready
First things first, heat your oven to 375°F. Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or just spray it with nonstick spray. This helps those cookies release easily and keeps cleanup quick.
Step 2: Mix the Dough – Simple and Quick
Grab a large bowl and combine your white cake mix, eggs, and olive oil. I love using a Danish dough whisk for this because it mixes everything smoothly without turning the batter dense. Be gentle—an electric mixer can make the dough too thick, which you don’t want.
Step 3: Divide and Color Your Dough
Split your dough into two equal bowls. Then, using separate toothpicks, add red food coloring to one bowl and green to the other, mixing until you reach those perfect festive shades. This part feels like holiday magic in the making!
Step 4: Shape, Sugar-Coat, and Bake
Use a small cookie scoop (around 1 ½ tablespoons) to roll dough balls. Then generously coat each ball in powdered sugar—this makes those classic crinkled tops. Place them on your prepared sheet with about 1 ½ inches between them to allow for spreading. Bake for 9-12 minutes until you see the cookies puff and the cracks appear.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy!
Let the cookies cool on the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This step helps them set up so they don’t fall apart. Then, it’s time to enjoy your festive, tender, and colorful crinkle cookies!
Top Tip
Through making this Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe multiple times, I’ve picked up a few tips that really make the difference between good and unforgettable cookies.
- Mix by Hand: Using a whisk or spoon keeps the dough lighter and ensures your cookies spread evenly with those charming cracks.
- Color Control: Add food coloring drop by drop; it’s easier to build perfect shades that way without overdoing it.
- Don’t Skip the Powdered Sugar: It’s key to that crinkled surface and adds a delicate sweetness—don’t be stingy here!
- Don’t Overbake: Remove the cookies while they’re still soft and let them finish setting on the baking sheet to keep them chewy.
How to Serve Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I like dusting a little extra powdered sugar on top right before serving for that fresh-snow effect. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of colored sanding sugar or mini edible glitter stars to step up the holiday sparkle.
Side Dishes
Pair these crinkle cookies with a big mug of hot cocoa or mulled cider. They also complement holiday cheese boards surprisingly well, balancing savory and sweet with just a bite of festive fun.
Creative Ways to Present
I once arranged them in a wreath shape on a platter with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for that pine scent—so pretty and festive for Christmas parties. Another time, I packed them in little clear cello bags tied with festive ribbons as thoughtful homemade gifts.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Keeping a piece of bread in the container helps maintain their softness — it’s a trick I swear by for all my cookies.
Freezing
These cookies freeze wonderfully! Just scoop and roll the dough into balls, freeze them on a sheet, then transfer to a sealed freezer bag. When you want fresh cookies, bake them straight from frozen, adding an extra minute or two to the bake time.
Reheating
If leftover cookies get a little stiff, 10 seconds in the microwave softens them right up. Just be careful not to overheat or they’ll get chewy instead of tender.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While white cake mix is classic and best for vibrant colors, vanilla or even red velvet mixes can work, but color results may vary. Just expect a slight flavor shift.
Olive oil adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft without the heaviness butter can sometimes bring. Plus, it’s easier to mix and accommodates quicker prep. You can swap for melted butter if preferred, but olive oil gives a lovely tender crumb.
Mixing by hand gently, rather than using an electric mixer, prevents overmixing, which can make the dough tough or thick. Just stir until everything is combined and stop there.
You can try using a gluten-free white cake mix, but results may vary depending on the brand. Be sure to choose one designed for baking to keep the texture light and tender.
Final Thoughts
This Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe has become my go-to during the holidays because it blends ease, nostalgia, and that unmistakable festive pop of color like nothing else. I promise, once you try these, Christmas cookie trays won’t feel complete without them. Whip up a batch, share the joy, and enjoy every chewy, sugary bite!
Print
Festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 28 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These festive Christmas Crinkle Cookies are made with a simple white cake mix base, colored with red and green food coloring to bring holiday cheer. Coated with powdered sugar, they create a delightful crinkle effect when baked, perfect for sharing during the holidays.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box (13.25 oz) white cake mix
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup olive oil
Decorating
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, a silicone baking mat, or spray lightly with nonstick baking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and olive oil. Use a Danish dough whisk or a large spoon to mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated. Avoid electric mixers to prevent the dough from becoming too thick.
- Divide and Color Dough: Divide the dough equally into two separate bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl and green food coloring to the other using separate toothpicks. Mix each until you reach your desired color intensity.
- Form Cookie Balls: Using a small cookie scoop, form dough balls about 1 ½ tablespoons in size.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball in powdered sugar to coat thoroughly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 1 ½ inches of space between each to allow spreading.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until the cookies crackle and are set.
- Cool: Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Serve: Enjoy these festive, colorful Christmas Crinkle Cookies with family and friends!
Notes
- Use separate toothpicks for each food coloring to avoid color contamination.
- If you prefer a sweeter cookie, add a little extra powdered sugar to the coating stage.
- Olive oil gives a slight fruity note; you can substitute with vegetable oil if preferred.
- To make gluten-free, use a gluten-free white cake mix.
- Store cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 33 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 5 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.001 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.4 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg
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