There’s something magical about holiday baking, and Festive Crinkle Cookies deliver that magic in every bite. These bright, cheerful cookies with their snowy powdered sugar tops and colorful centers are more than just a treat—they’re a seasonal tradition. Whether you’re scrambling to whip up a last-minute dessert or prepping for a Christmas cookie exchange, crinkle cookies come to the rescue. In this article, we’ll cover everything from ingredients and preparation to expert tips and creative customizations that’ll make your cookies the hit of the holidays. Don’t miss our Christmas Monster Cookies for another festive option worth trying.
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Why Festive Crinkle Cookies Are a Must-Bake Treat
The holiday charm of red and green cookies
Few cookies capture the spirit of Christmas like red and green Festive Crinkle Cookies. Their vibrant colors bring holiday cheer to dessert tables, cookie tins, and classroom parties. The powdered sugar coating gives them a snowy, frosted look, making them ideal for festive gatherings and winter celebrations.
Perfect for last-minute baking needs
One of the best things about this recipe? It’s practically foolproof and super quick. With just a few pantry staples—like cake mix, oil, and eggs—you can have fresh cookies on the tray in under an hour. If you’re the kind of person who forgets the school bake sale or a neighborly cookie swap until the last second, this recipe will become your new best friend.
Loved by kids, teachers, and party guests alike
The soft, chewy texture and sweet vanilla flavor appeal to both kids and adults. Kids love helping roll the dough in sugar, while teachers and coworkers love receiving a colorful, homemade treat. These cookies aren’t just delicious—they’re a festive gesture packed with personality.
Don’t miss our Cranberry Bars if you’re looking to diversify your dessert platter.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Christmas Crinkle Cookies
Basic pantry staples that work like magic
What makes these cookies so amazing is how simple they are. You only need five key ingredients:
- 1 box white cake mix (such as Pillsbury™ Purely Simple™)
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Red and green food coloring
That’s it. No butter. No chilling overnight. No fancy gadgets. Just easy ingredients you probably already have.
Choosing the right cake mix
The secret weapon here is cake mix. Using a white or vanilla cake mix helps the colors shine and creates that soft, cake-like bite that’s signature to crinkle cookies. For a cleaner ingredient list, opt for versions like Pillsbury™ Purely Simple™, which is free from artificial dyes and preservatives. You can also experiment with different brands—just make sure it’s a white cake base.
Looking for inspiration? Try our Gingerbread Men Cookies for another mix-friendly recipe.
Safe and vibrant food coloring options
Not all food colorings are created equal. If you’re concerned about artificial dyes, try plant-based or natural food colorings, which can be found at most specialty grocers. Gel-based colorings tend to give the most vivid results with less mess than liquids. For the most festive effect, aim for a bold red and a rich evergreen.
Discover great ideas like our Christmas Popcorn Candy to keep your holiday snack table popping with color.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Crinkle Cookies
Mixing the dough with minimal fuss
Making Festive Crinkle Cookies is refreshingly easy, even for beginner bakers. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, 2 eggs, and 1/3 cup oil. Stir until the mixture becomes a thick, dough-like consistency.
You don’t need a mixer here—just a sturdy spoon or your hands will do the trick. The dough will feel a bit like Play-Doh, which makes it fun and easy to shape later.
Coloring and chilling for best texture
Next, divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one and green to the other. Gel food coloring works best, as it produces vibrant colors without making the dough too wet. Use a spoon to mix the color, or knead it by hand for more even distribution.
Pop both bowls of dough into the fridge for 30–45 minutes. Chilling the dough firms it up and helps prevent overspreading, which ensures you get that beautiful crinkled top after baking.
Baking tips for soft and crinkled cookies
Once chilled, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll each into a ball, and then generously coat them in powdered sugar. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on your lined baking sheet.
Bake in your preheated oven for 9–11 minutes, or until the cookies have puffed up and developed their signature crackled tops. Let them cool on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. The result? A soft center with crisp edges and snowy tops that scream Christmas.
Check out our Christmas Cookie Bars if you’re craving even more easy oven magic.
Customization Ideas for Your Crinkle Cookies
Flavor variations beyond vanilla
Want to mix things up? You can swap the white cake mix for other flavors:
- Chocolate cake mix = Chocolate Crinkle Cookies (classic!)
- Strawberry cake mix = Pink Valentine or Easter cookies
- Spice cake mix = Warm autumn twist
Add-ins like vanilla extract, almond flavoring, or even a dash of peppermint extract can elevate the flavor for special occasions.
Try the twist with our Magic Brownie Cookies if you’re craving more chocolate.
Creative shapes and cookie cutters
Though traditionally round, you can roll the dough and cut it into festive shapes like stars or trees using cookie cutters before rolling in sugar. Just be gentle with the dough—its soft texture can tear easily.
Another idea? Create a two-tone swirl by combining a little red and green dough together in one ball for a marbled effect.
Decorating tips for added sparkle
While the powdered sugar does most of the decorating, you can up the sparkle by:
- Dusting lightly with edible glitter
- Adding white chocolate drizzle after baking
- Using festive sprinkles right before the cookies cool
Don’t miss our Festive Cinnamon Rolls if you’re hunting for more ways to add color and charm to your dessert table.
Storage, Serving & Gifting Tips
How to keep them soft for days
Once fully cooled, store your crinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Layering them with parchment paper helps preserve their shape and sugar coating. If they start to dry out, place a slice of bread in the container—it adds just enough moisture to keep the cookies chewy.
Planning ahead? The dough freezes beautifully. Just shape into balls, freeze on a tray, and transfer to a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, roll in powdered sugar and pop them in the oven—no need to thaw.
Festive packaging ideas
Crinkle cookies are ideal for edible gifts. Place them in cellophane bags, stack in mason jars, or layer in festive tins with ribbon. Add a handwritten tag with baking instructions for extra charm.
Looking for inspiration? Try our Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls for your next edible gift box combo.
Serving suggestions for holiday parties
Serve these cookies with mugs of hot cocoa or spiced cider for a cozy holiday vibe. They also pair perfectly with dessert boards, cookie swaps, or brunch spreads.
For a wintery dessert board, consider pairing them with treats like Christmas Fudge Cake or peppermint bark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crinkle Cookies
Why don’t my crinkle cookies crack?
If your cookies aren’t crinkling, it’s likely due to skipping the chill time. Chilled dough spreads slower, giving the sugar coating time to separate and crack as the cookies rise. Another tip—make sure to roll them generously in powdered sugar. A thin dusting won’t create that signature crinkle effect.
Can I freeze the dough or baked cookies?
Absolutely. For dough, roll into balls (without sugar), freeze them on a tray, then store in an airtight bag. When ready, thaw slightly, coat in powdered sugar, and bake as usual. You can also freeze the baked cookies in layers with wax paper for up to 2 months.
How do I avoid dry or cakey texture?
Avoid overbaking—pull them out once the tops crack and edges are set. Overmixing the dough can also lead to tough cookies. Stick to mixing until just combined. Using a high-moisture cake mix or adding a teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract can help retain softness.
Conclusion: A Colorful Cookie Classic for Every Celebration
Festive Crinkle Cookies are more than just a Christmas tradition—they’re a time-saving, eye-catching, and crowd-pleasing cookie that delivers flavor and flair. With simple ingredients and endless room for customization, they’re perfect for holiday bake sales, family get-togethers, or sweet gifting.
Don’t miss our Christmas Crock Pot Candy to add another easy win to your festive dessert spread.
PrintFestive Crinkle Cookies
Festive Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy Christmas treats made with cake mix, food coloring, and powdered sugar. They’re easy, colorful, and perfect for holiday gifting or parties.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box white cake mix (e.g., Pillsbury™ Purely Simple™)
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- Red food coloring
- Green food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix the cake mix, eggs, and oil until a dough forms.
- Divide the dough evenly into two bowls. Color one red and the other green using food coloring. Mix well.
- Refrigerate both bowls of dough for 30–45 minutes to firm up.
- Roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls, then coat generously in powdered sugar.
- Place on a lined baking sheet, spaced 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–11 minutes until puffed and cracked on top.
- Cool on the tray for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant results without altering dough texture.
- For best results, don’t skip the chilling step—it helps create the crinkle effect.
- You can freeze the dough balls before baking for up to 2 months.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Try adding almond or peppermint extract for a flavor twist.
