Hot Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies

These Brownie Crinkle Cookies are everything you love about your favorite brownies, but in cookie form. Rich, fudgy centers, chewy edges and shiny, crackled tops. Simply irresistible!

To say I cannot get enough of these Hot Chocolate Brownie Crinkle Cookies would be a massive understatement. I’ve already made 3 batches this week and I have zero plans to stop any time soon!! They really should be named “better than a brownie cookie”. One bite and you may never make brownies again!

These cookies have all the best qualities of a brownie but in cookie form – rich, fudgy centers, chewy edges, shiny crackled tops and mega chocolate flavor. And with a hint of hot cocoa flavor in every bite, they’re positively irresistible!! Pass. Me. The. Milk.

Ingredients

These fudgy brownie crinkle cookies come together in no time with the same basic ingredients you use to make brownies. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Flour – regular all-purpose flour makes these cookies soft, chewy and super fudgy!
• Sugar – a combination of granulated and light brown sugar makes these cookies perfectly sweet and chewy.
• Butter – we’re using unsalted butter. If you only have salted butter on hand, you may want to reduce the amount of additional salt in the recipe.
• Chocolate chips – I prefer semi-sweet chocolate chips here but you can substitute with bittersweet, dark or milk chocolate chips.
• Eggs – make sure your eggs are at room temperature for best results.
• Hot Chocolate Mix – for the ultimate chocolate brownie cookie add a few tablespoons of Land O Lakes® Cocoa Classics® premium Chocolate Supreme Hot Cocoa Mix. The flavor can’t be beat and it makes for one decadent cookie!
• Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa – don’t substitute with regular unsweetened cocoa. For best results, sift the cocoa before adding to the melted butter and chocolate.
• Vanilla – every good cookie has a dash of vanilla extract. Use the highest quality vanilla you can find.
• Baking powder – just a teaspoon gives these cookies an irresistible texture that everyone will love!
• Salt – in addition to regular salt in the batter, you can sprinkle flakey sea salt on top of the cookies just before serving. It really enhances the flavor of the chocolate – try it once and you’ll be hooked!

How to make brownie cookies

These cookies are so easy to make and I can almost guarantee they won’t last 5 minutes on your kitchen counter. They’re just that good! The method behind these heavenly cookies is partially adapted from Edd Kimber’s, The Boy Who Bakes, Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Before you begin, it’s important to know that timing and temperature are just as important as the quality of the ingredients you use. For best results, measure all of your ingredients before you begin as you’ll be working quickly through the recipe. Follow this step-by-step guide below and save the recipe card below for detailed instructions.

• Step 1: Preheat the oven to 325°. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Step 2: Make a double boiler by filling a medium pot with 2 inches of water. Bring to a simmer. Place a heat safe bowl over the pot and add the butter and chocolate chips. Make sure the bowl does not touch the water below. Stirring often, melt the chocolate and butter over medium-low heat until smooth and shiny. Remove the bowl from the heat.
• Step 3: Sift in the Land O Lakes® Cocoa Classics® Chocolate Supreme Cocoa Mix and the Dutch-process cocoa powder. Stir to combine well. Set aside.
• Step 4: In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer on medium-high speed to mix the eggs, sugar and vanilla together for 4 to 5 minutes. It should be creamy and pale in color. This step helps gives the cookies their glossy, crackled tops so do not reduce the mixing time.
• Step 5: Pour the egg mixture into the chocolate and butter mixture and use a large spatula to stir until combined.

• Continue mixing the batter until the egg and chocolate mixture are fully incorporated. “Fold” the batter together rather than stirring. Do not over mix.

• Step 6: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. For best results, use a digital kitchen scale to measure the flour.
• Step 7: Add the dry ingredients to the batter and use a spatula to combine. Mix just until the flour is incorporated. Work quickly but do not over mix.
• Step 8: Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop the batter onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. The batter will spread, like brownie batter.
• Step 9: Bake for 9 to 10 minutes or until the cookies are slightly puffed up and the tops are crackled and shiny. Do not overbake. Remove the cookies from the oven and cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes for best results. They will deflate a bit as they cool leaving you with deliciously crackled tops and fudgy centers. Sprinkle with flakey sea salt before serving if desired.

Tips for the best brownie crinkle cookies

• Use high quality ingredients. Quality ingredients make all the difference in the final taste and texture of the cookies. Use the highest quality chocolate, butter and vanilla you can find. For hot cocoa mix, the flavor of Land O Lakes® Cocoa Classics® is my fave!
• Do not over mix the batter. The batter should be smooth and silky like brownie batter. Too much mixing will make the batter solidify which will prevent the tops from baking up glossy and crackled.
• Bake the cookies immediately after mixing the batter. In order for the cookies to have those shiny, crinkled tops, you must bake the cookies as quickly as possible after mixing the batter. If the batter sits too long, the cookies will still bake up fudgy, but without the pretty brownie-like tops. For best results, bake the cookies at the same time on two large baking sheets using two separate racks in the oven.
• Do not over bake. No one likes a dry brownie. And no one likes a dry brownie cookie. Be sure to keep an eye on your oven. The cookies are done when the tops are slightly puffy and cracked. The cookies will flatten a bit as they cool leaving you with chewy edges and fudgy, chocolatey centers just like your favorite brownies.

How to store brownie cookies

Cookies this good don’t last long but if you happen to have a few left over, keep them tightly covered at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 3 days.

To freeze baked cookies, allow them to cool completely to room temperature and then freeze them flat in a large freezer bag for up to 2 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving. The cookies won’t completely harden through the center which makes them extra delicious straight from the freezer!

How to make peppermint brownie cookies

For a fun and festive variation on these brownie cookies, substitute the hot cocoa for more Dutch process cocoa powder (use 1/4 cup) and swap the vanilla extract for peppermint extract. Top with crushed candy canes and enjoy!

Drop everything and fill your cookie jar with a batch of these crazy delicious brownie crinkle cookies or bookmark the recipe for the holidays {cookie season is coming up fast and these will be a holiday favorite!}. Whatever you do, make these cookies. You’re going to LOVE them!

This post is sponsored by Land O Lakes® Cocoa Classics®. As always, all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make Browned Butter Blondie possible.

Happy baking chocolate lovers! Make sure to leave a STAR REVIEW if you loved this recipe and tag me on Instagram @brownedbutterblondie. For more baking ideas, follow me on Pinterest.

Love cookies – and brownies?? Give these delicious recipes a try:

• Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Chocolate Marble Cookies
• Small Batch Brownies
• Peppermint Brownie Cookies
• Better Than Box Mix Chewy Fudge Brownies