If you’re dreaming of a festive treat that brings holiday cheer with every bite, this Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe is your perfect match. These cookies boast a delightfully soft center wrapped in a crackled powdered sugar shell, bursting with bright red and green colors that make them irresistible at any holiday gathering. With a handful of simple ingredients and an easy process, you’ll have a batch of these vibrant, chewy cookies that taste as joyful as they look, ready to charm friends and family alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is a breeze, but each one plays a vital role in creating the perfect Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe. From the smooth, tender base provided by the cake mix to the vibrant burst of color from gel food coloring, every component is there to ensure your cookies turn out soft, flavorful, and festively pretty.
- White cake mix (13.25 oz): This forms a tender, moist foundation for your cookies, making them wonderfully soft.
- Large eggs (2): Eggs help bind the dough together while adding richness for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Vegetable oil (1/3 cup): Adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft even after baking.
- Powdered sugar (1/3 cup, for coating): This sweet coating doubles as a signature crinkled look and a gentle sweetness on the surface.
- Red and green gel food coloring: These concentrated colors give the dough vibrant holiday tones without altering the cookie texture.
How to Make Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Basic Ingredients
Start by placing the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil into a large mixing bowl. Stir everything together until you get a smooth and thick dough. This mixture is the base for the entire recipe, so make sure there are no lumps for that perfect texture.
Step 2: Divide and Dye the Dough
Next, split your dough evenly into two separate bowls. This is the fun part where the dough transforms into festive holiday colors. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and green to the other. Stir each batch thoroughly until the colors are bright and evenly distributed.
Step 3: Chill the Dough
Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and pop them in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Chilling the dough firms it up, which makes rolling into balls easier and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
Step 4: Prepare to Bake
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and cleanup hassle. This little prep step sets you up for success.
Step 5: Shape and Coat Cookies
Scoop out dough portions about 1 tablespoon in size and roll them into smooth balls. Then, roll each ball generously in powdered sugar so they’re completely covered. This coating not only looks beautiful but also creates those signature crinkles when baked.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place your dough balls on the baking sheet about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake them for 9 to 11 minutes — just until the edges are set and crinkled but the center remains soft and tender. Remember, don’t overbake, as you want that melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
After baking, let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes to firm up a bit. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. These freshly cooled cookies are ready to wow everyone with their festive colors and delightful texture.
How to Serve Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe
Garnishes
While the crinkle cookie’s powdered sugar coating is beautiful on its own, adding a sprinkle of festive sugar crystals or tiny edible silver stars can elevate their holiday look. A dusting of extra powdered sugar just before serving can bring out their charming, snowy appearance.
Side Dishes
Pair these cookies with a warm cup of hot cocoa or a glass of eggnog to complement their sweetness perfectly. They also sit beautifully alongside a cheese platter or festive fruit salad to balance the richness with fresh flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, arrange your Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe on tiered trays or festive plates for a playful reveal. You can also package them in clear cellophane bags tied with ribbon as thoughtful homemade gifts that anyone will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cookies keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure to place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their texture.
Freezing
If you want to keep these holiday favorites longer, freeze the cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet first. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep their freshness for up to 3 months, ready whenever holiday cookie cravings strike.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen cookies, thaw them at room temperature for about 30 minutes. If you prefer them warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to bring back that just-baked softness without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use almond or vanilla cake mix instead of white cake mix?
Absolutely! Using almond or vanilla cake mix will add a subtle twist to the flavor, which can be delightful. Just make sure it’s a boxed cake mix to maintain the dough consistency.
Will regular food coloring work if I don’t have gel food coloring?
You can use liquid food coloring, but it may slightly alter the dough’s moisture level and texture. Gel food coloring is preferred because it gives vibrant color without changing the dough.
Is it okay to skip chilling the dough?
While you can skip it, chilling helps the dough firm up, making it much easier to roll and preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking. So, it’s worth the wait for the best results.
Can I substitute powdered sugar for something else to coat the cookies?
Powdered sugar is key to creating the crinkle effect and soft texture, so it’s highly recommended. Using granulated sugar will not give the same classic cracked look or softness.
How do I store decorated cookies made with this recipe?
If you decorate these cookies after baking, store them in an airtight container with parchment between layers at room temperature. Avoid stacking while decorations are wet to prevent smudging.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about making and sharing this Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe. It’s quick, festive, and guaranteed to bring smiles to your holiday table with every tender, colorful bite. So go ahead, bake a batch (or two), and let the season’s joy shine through these charming cookies!
Print
Christmas Crinkle Cookies (Red & Green) Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Festive and easy-to-make Christmas Crinkle Cookies in vibrant red and green colors. These soft, chewy cookies coated in powdered sugar bring a delightful holiday spirit to your cookie platter, perfect for Christmas parties and gifting.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- Red gel food coloring (as needed)
- Green gel food coloring (as needed)
Coating
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil until a smooth, thick dough forms.
- Divide Dough: Split the dough into two equal portions.
- Add Food Coloring: Place each portion into separate bowls and color one batch red and the other green using gel food coloring. Mix well until the colors are vibrant and even.
- Chill Dough: Cover each bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm the dough.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Shape Cookies: Scoop 1 tablespoon portions of dough and roll into balls.
- Coat with Sugar: Roll each ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 9-11 minutes until they develop crinkles and are set around the edges, but still soft in the center.
- Cool Slightly: Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Cool Completely: Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.
Notes
- Be careful not to overbake to maintain soft centers.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without altering dough consistency.
- Powdered sugar coating gives the classic crinkle cookie look and a sweet outer texture.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For a textured flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the dough (optional).
