4 Ingredient Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Are you looking for a cookie recipe that tastes great, without a lot of work? If so, these crinkle cookies are going to be your new go-to recipe.

The links in the post are for products we recommmend. If you purchase through our links we may earn a comission. Thank you!
Starting with a boxed cake mix (my favorite) makes this recipe super easy. There are only four ingredients so the measuring and prep are at a minimum.
What are Crinkle Cookies?
Crinkle cookies get their distinctive name from the crackle-top look on each cookie. They get the look from sugar-coating cookie dough balls that bake into textured cookies.
Not only are chocolate crinkle cookies beautiful to look at, but they’re also the perfect combination of fudgy chocolate taste and chewy texture. Grab a glass of milk and enjoy!

What Ingredients Do I Need for this Recipe?
Luckily, this recipe is super easy. You’ll need your favorite chocolate cake mix, a few eggs, oil, and powdered sugar. You need a cookie sheet (or three) and a cooling rack too. Now you should be ready to get baking.

- 1 Chocolate Cake Mix (any brand)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- ½ cup powdered sugar

Pro tip: I use three cookie sheets when I bake cookies. These crinkle cookies do best on a cool cookie sheet.
I prepare three trays, as soon as the one is done I take them out and immediately put the second one in the oven and continue the process. While I transfer cookies to the cooling rack, the next batch is almost done.

How to Make Crinkle Cookies with Cake Mix:
- Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets)
- In a large bowl, stir the dry cake mix, oil and eggs with a wooden spoon until a stiff dough forms.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes, or as needed for easier handling.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll balls in powdered sugar.
- On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set.
- Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to a cooling rack.
- Cool completely, before storing in a tightly covered container.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Crinkle Cookies?
Yes. Yes, you can. You can freeze almost any kind of cookie to my knowledge. Place baked cookies in a single layer on a cookie sheet in the freezer. When completely frozen add to a storage container and enjoy cookies for months at a time. The key is having them in an airtight freezer-safe container or you can even put them in freezer bags, but I’d recommend double bagging them for best quality.

Don’t Burn The Cookies
Because you are working with dark cookie dough, you have to be careful you don’t burn the cookies. After 8 to 9 minutes of baking carefully use your fingertip to check for doneness.
It’s best to err on the side of caution and remove cookies from the oven a tad early rather than risk overbaking them. That extra minute on the baking sheet before the cooling rack lets them continue to bake.
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Are you looking for a cookie recipe that tastes great, without a lot of work? If so, these crinkle cookies are going to be your new go-to recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 Chocolate Cake Mix (any brand)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1/3 cup canola oil
- ½ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick cookie sheets).
- In a large bowl, stir the dry cake mix, oil, eggs and vanilla with a wooden spoon until a stiff dough forms.
- Chill the dough for 30 minutes, or as needed for easier handling.
- Shape dough into 1-inch balls.
- Roll balls in powdered sugar.
- On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls about 2 inches apart.
- Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until set.
- Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to a cooling rack.
- Cool completely, before storing in a tightly covered container.
Notes
When you mix the cake mix, eggs, and oil together in a bowl it will be a thicker batter. This is how it's supposed to be, so don't fret!
The longer you can chill your dough the better. If you have time try to chill for at least 2 hours. This will help give the cookies a light fluffy texture.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 37Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 12mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
I am not a medical expert. These calculations are provided as a courtesy.
With just 4 ingredients these simple cookies should soon be your new favorite!
Looking for more easy recipes? Try a few of these:
You can’t go wrong with any of these other delicious cookie recipes. They’re all tasty and great for sharing!
Double Butterscotch Cookies Nutellla Cookies Funfetti Cake Mix Cookies Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
For the choc crinkle cookies can you use vegetable oil instead of canola oil
Certainly. Thanks!
Just made with an orange cake mix and 1/3 cup of mini choc chips so good even hard to please father loved them. Thanks for the recipe.
Yay! So glad to hear everyone loved them!
Could the cookies be baked on parchment paper?
Yes. That should be fine. Thanks!
Can you use applesauce instead of oil
I haven’t tried it, but most times that swap works in baking. Thanks!
I’m thinking you could make a snickerdoodle type by using a yellow or vanilla cake mix and substituting cinnamon & sugar for the powered sugar.
Oh! Thanks for the idea. I need to try this. YUM!
The instructions say to add vanilla so is it used or not. Thanks
Thanks for letting me know. I’ll update the instructions. It won’t make any difference if you put it in or leave it out.
You don’t mention the vanilla in the ingredients.
This recipe doesn’t call for vanilla. Thanks.
Why canola oil? Can you use regular vegetable oil?
Oh yes. Any vegetable oil is fine. Thank you.