Hey friends, Shaym here from SoolFood! Halloween has always been my favorite excuse to turn the kitchen into a haunted bakery. Back when I was a teen, my little sister and I would bake everything from mummy cupcakes to spiderweb brownies. One year, I tried to make crinkle cookies and accidentally used too much food coloring… and boom.. Halloween Crinkle Cookies were born. The mix of cracked chocolate tops and bold colors was spooky and delicious, and it quickly became our family’s October baking tradition.
Now I’m sharing the recipe with you. These cookies are a spooky twist on a classic that’ll haunt your dessert table in the best way!
Why You’ll Love Halloween Crinkle Cookies
Halloween Crinkle Cookies are everything you want in a seasonal treat: soft, chewy, slightly fudgy, and rolled in powdered sugar for that signature spooky crackle. With bold Halloween colors like orange, purple, or even green, they’re just as festive as they are tasty.
Want more party-perfect desserts? Add these to your spread alongside Halloween Brownies Recipe or crowd-favorite Easy Halloween Party Treats. If you’re baking with kids, you’ll also love our Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies for a more mellow treat.
🧁 Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ¾ 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
- ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Gel food coloring (orange, purple, green, or black)
🎃 How to Make Halloween Crinkle Cookies
1. Mix the Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.
2. Add the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir until fully combined.
3. Color It:
Divide the dough into separate bowls. Add gel food coloring to each and mix until your spooky colors shine through.
4. Chill:
Cover and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours. This step helps the cookies crinkle properly.
5. Roll & Sugar:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in powdered sugar until fully coated.
6. Bake:
Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the tops are cracked and cookies are set but still soft.
👻 Shaym’s Tips for Spooky Success
- Don’t skip the chill time! It’s what gives crinkle cookies their classic texture and craggy tops.
- Use gel colors for the brightest Halloween hues without thinning out the dough.
- Mix up the flavors: Try adding orange zest or a splash of peppermint extract for a twist.
Final Treat
These Halloween Crinkle Cookies are soft, spooky, and guaranteed to be the talk of your haunted dessert table. They’re the perfect balance of simple and stunning, easy enough for beginners, festive enough for pros. Bake them once, and they’ll become a yearly favorite.