The Best Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies Recipe for Sweet Smiles

Vegan crinkle chocolate cookies elevate dessert expectations with their irresistible charm and decadent appeal.

Rich dark chocolate converts humble ingredients into a delectable indulgence that melts hearts and satisfies intense cravings.

Plant-based baking reaches new heights through these sophisticated yet approachable sweet treats.

Soft interiors contrast beautifully with crackled exterior surfaces, creating a sensory experience that surprises and delights.

Minimalist ingredients combine to produce complex flavors that challenge traditional dessert perceptions.

Wholesome and guilt-free, these cookies represent a modern approach to classic comfort food.

You’ll love how effortlessly they deliver pure chocolate bliss.

Essential Ingredients for Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies

• Cocoa Powder: Rich chocolate base with deep, intense flavor for cookies.
• Flour: Structural foundation providing necessary texture and stability.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents for light, airy cookie texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• White Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Natural sweeteners creating crinkle effect and classic cookie sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides extra texture and coating for cookie exterior.

• Plant-Based Milk: Moisture component binding ingredients together smoothly.
• Olive Oil: Healthy fat replacement creating soft, tender cookie consistency.
• Cornstarch: Helps bind ingredients and provide delicate, tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic flavor depth to chocolate cookies.

How to Make Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Chocolate Base

• White sugar
• Olive oil

Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients

• Plant-based milk
• Cornstarch

Blend until smooth. Incorporate into chocolate mixture, stirring completely.

Step 4: Add Dry Ingredients

• Vanilla extract
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Fold in flour until fully combined.

Step 5: Prepare Sugar Coating Stations

• White sugar
• Powdered sugar

Step 6: Shape Cookie Dough

Scoop of dough. Wash hands to remove chocolate residue. Roll into balls. Work with 8 cookies at a time.

Step 7: Sugar Coating Process

Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar. Reshape if needed.

Step 8: Bake Cookies

• Cookies spread slightly
• Cracks form on top

Optional: Gently adjust edges with a spoon right after removing from oven.

Step 9: Cool Cookies

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack to complete setting.

Step 10: Complete Baking

Repeat steps 6-9 until all dough is baked.

Step 11: Store Cookies

Store cooled cookies in airtight container. Layer with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature.

Tips for Baking Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent excessive spreading and create a more compact texture.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll dough balls generously in both granulated and powdered sugar to achieve that classic crinkle cookie look with dramatic cracks and white powdery surface.
• Consistent Size Matters: Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to ensure uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professional.
• Moisture Control: If dough feels too sticky, add a touch more flour or chill longer to make rolling easier and prevent messy hands.
• Baking Sweet Spot: Watch cookies closely during the 8-10 minute baking window; they should look slightly underbaked when removed, as they'll continue setting while cooling.

Storing and Reheating Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies

• Storage Method: Place cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keep at room temperature for maximum freshness, ensuring the container is tightly sealed to maintain soft texture.
• Refrigeration Method: Extend cookie shelf life by storing in a sealed container inside the refrigerator for up to one week. Chilled cookies might become slightly firmer, so let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying for the best taste and texture.
• Freezing Method: Wrap individual cookies or entire batch in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to three months without losing quality. Thaw cookies at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving, restoring their delightful crinkle and softness.

Pairing Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies with Sweets

• Pair with Creamy Almond Milk: Complement the rich chocolate flavor with a smooth, nutty almond milk that enhances the cookie's sweetness and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Serve alongside Fresh Raspberries: The tartness of fresh raspberries cuts through the cookie's intense chocolate taste, creating a delightful balance of sweet and tangy notes.
• Enjoy with Cinnamon-Spiced Chai Tea: The warm, spicy undertones of chai tea beautifully highlight the deep chocolate essence, making each bite more complex and satisfying.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a decadent dessert experience by pairing the crinkle cookies with a scoop of creamy vegan vanilla bean ice cream for ultimate indulgence.

Fun Variations of Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies

• Nutty Chocolate Explosion: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the dough for extra crunch and rich, earthy flavor. Mix in 1/2 cup of roughly chopped nuts before forming cookie balls.
• Mint Chocolate Sensation: Incorporate 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the wet ingredients for a cool, refreshing undertone. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of cookies before baking for festive flair.
• Spiced Chocolate Adventure: Blend 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper into the dry ingredients for a warm, complex flavor profile. The subtle heat complements the deep chocolate notes perfectly.
• Orange Chocolate Dream: Zest one orange and fold the citrus peel directly into the cookie dough. Add a few drops of orange extract to enhance the bright, tangy undertones that pair beautifully with rich chocolate.

Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies Delight

• Crackle with Decadence: These vegan chocolate crinkle cookies deliver an irresistible visual and textural experience with their beautiful cracked surface and powdery white sugar coating that hints at delightful chocolatey goodness underneath.
• Effortless Plant-Based Indulgence: Crafted with simple, accessible ingredients like olive oil and plant-based milk, this recipe offers an easy way for vegans and non-vegans alike to enjoy a classic dessert without complicated techniques or hard-to-find components.
• Quick Chocolate Comfort: With a total preparation and baking time of under 30 minutes, these cookies provide a speedy solution for sudden sweet cravings, perfect for last-minute gatherings, afternoon treats, or spontaneous dessert moments.
• Guilt-Free Chocolate Bliss: Low in fat and completely cholesterol-free, these cookies offer a healthier alternative to traditional chocolate treats while maintaining rich, satisfying chocolate flavor that doesn't compromise on taste or texture.

Vegan Crinkle Chocolate Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Indulgent vegan crinkle chocolate cookies deliver pure cocoa bliss with a delightful crackled exterior. Rich, fudgy centers promise a heavenly chocolate experience that satisfies your deepest dessert cravings.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) white granulated sugar
• 1 cup (130g) unbleached all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (40g) Dutched cocoa powder
• ¼ cup (32g) cornstarch
• ¼ cup (59 ml) olive oil

Secondary Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons (89 ml) plant-based milk (e.g., almond milk)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Coating Ingredients:

• ½ cup (100g) white granulated sugar
• ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line one or two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring even coverage.
2. Sift cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl, then thoroughly blend with white sugar and olive oil until a consistent texture emerges.
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk plant-based milk and cornstarch until completely smooth, then gently fold this liquid mixture into the chocolate base.
4. Incorporate vanilla extract, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into the developing cookie dough, stirring carefully to distribute ingredients evenly.
5. Gradually add flour to the mixture, folding gently until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
6. Prepare two separate shallow dishes: one with granulated white sugar and another with powdered sugar for coating.
7. Using a tablespoon, portion out individual cookie dough balls, carefully rolling each between clean palms to create smooth, uniform spheres.
8. Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then generously coat with powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage and creating a crackled exterior.
9. Arrange sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart to allow for spreading.
10. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for slight spreading and characteristic surface cracking, which indicates optimal doneness.
11. Remove from oven and allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire cooling rack to complete setting.
12. Continue baking remaining dough in batches, repeating coating and baking process.
13. Once completely cooled, store cookies in an airtight container, layering with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness for up to 5 days.

Notes

• Organize your workspace with all ingredients measured and ready before starting the baking process.
• Chilling the dough for 30 minutes helps prevent excessive spreading and creates a more consistent cookie texture.
• Washing hands between rolling each dough ball ensures clean, evenly shaped cookies with a professional appearance.
• Check cookie doneness by looking for crackled tops and slightly set edges, which indicate perfect vegan chocolate crinkle cookies.
• Powdered sugar coating creates a stunning snow-like effect that makes these cookies visually appealing and delightfully sweet.
• Storing cookies between parchment paper prevents sticking and keeps them fresh for up to five days at room temperature.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 205 kcal
• Sugar: 24 g
• Sodium: 0 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: <1 g