Today I offer you my very best Holiday Baking Tips and one of my favorite cookie recipes, Mexican Mocha Crinkle Cookies, AKA Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with a touch of spice!

Mexican Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe stacked on plate

Why We Love This Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Chocolate crinkle cookies are a classic must-try, especially during the holiday season! They are chocolatey and sweet with a crunchy outer layer of powdered sugar!

I made my version more like Mexican-inspired crinkle cookies, because they have a hint of spice from the cayenne pepper. The cayenne won’t make them too spicy, but will give them a slight kick! If you prefer a chocolate cookie that is purely sweet, skip the cayenne pepper but I would still recommend adding the cinnamon!

So get the family together and let’s make some chocolate crinkle cookies!

Soft Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

This time of year, many inexperienced cooks are tip-toeing into the kitchen to try their hand at making edible gifts.

Welcome newbies! We are so glad you’re here. The satisfaction that follows offering your loved ones homemade dishes, is hard to beat.

To help you on your way, I’d like to share a few of my favorite holiday baking tips to ensure your time in the kitchen is successful and enjoyable.

5 Fail-Proof Holiday Baking Tips

  • Make Baking a Family Affair. Some of my best memories as a child, are of baking with my mom. Making holiday baking an annual family event is a great way get in some needed quality time, and to get the baking done in a timely fashion. Extra hands = faster baking.
  • Stick to Old-Faithfuls and Trusted Sources. As much as I love to experiment in the kitchen, when baking edible gifts, or for events, stick to the recipe. Use tried-and-true family favorites, or recipes from trusted sources, like ahem… Your favorite recipe blog. You don’t want to waste your time and money on “mad-scientist” baking projects that you’ll be embarrassed to serve to friends.
  • Invest in Parchment Paper. Parchment paper is the answer to many common baking dilemmas. It helps cookies to retain their shape, bake evenly, and come cleanly off the baking sheet. It’s also fantastic for lining cake and bread pans.
  • Buy New Leavening Agents for Holiday Baking. Items like baking soda, baking powder, dry active yeast, and cream of tartar loose their lifting power over time. It’s a good idea to buy new containers of common leavening agents before holiday baking, and save yourself the headache of hockey-puck cookies.
  • Plan Ahead for Presentation. You just spent an entire day making dozens of immaculate cookies that look like they came straight off the pages of a culinary magazine. Don’t just heap them on a paper plate and hand them to your neighbor. Think ahead about how you want to present your dainty delicacies! This time of year you can find all sorts of inexpensive boxes, bags, buckets and baskets that will protect your baked goods and make your gifts even more special.

(For more tips see our post 100 Best Baking Tips)

How To Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Making Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Now let’s bake!

These Mexican Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are one of my holiday favorites. They offer the crisp outer crust and the fudgy inner texture of classic crinkle cookies, with an added mocha punch.

All the flavors of a Mexican Mocha coffee drink are represented… Rich chocolate, coffee, cinnamon and a subtle nip of spicy heat that warms the throat.

Yet not so much it burns.

How To Make Mexican Mocha Crinkle Cookies Recipe #ASpicyPerspective #holidays #Christmas

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Spice!

No fancy decorating required, so get your kids involved in making crinkle cookies.

They can roll the dough into balls and dredge them in powdered sugar for a fun and festive activity.

These Mexican Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are easy to make they are sure to be a winner with your friends and family this holiday season!

Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t over mix the dough! Once the flour is added, make sure not to over mix the dough, since that can create tough or dense cookies.
  • Omit the cayenne if you prefer! The cayenne in here balances the chocolate flavors and adds just a slight kick. If you prefer, you can definitely omit it!
  • Pair these Mexican crinkle cookies with a Mexican mocha coffee for the perfect combo!
Easy Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my chocolate crinkles flat?

If your crinkle cookies end up slightly flat, you might not have added enough flour in the recipe. Make sure to measure your flour accurately by spooning the flour into the measuring cup and then leveling the top off with the flat edge of a butter knife!

How do I know when my chocolate crinkle cookies are done?

Since these cookies are already dark in color, it might be difficult to know when they are done. After about 10-12 minutes you should see those crinkle lines start to form. Once those are apparent, the cookies should be done. They will also firm up more on the baking sheet after taking them out of the oven!

How should I store leftover crinkle cookies?

Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Can I freeze these cookies?

You can freeze the cookie dough prior to baking to have on hand later on. To freeze the dough, roll into balls and store in a freezer-safe container in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can allow the dough balls to thaw a bit (20-30 minutes) before rolling in powdered sugar and baking according to the recipe instructions.

Don’t Have Time To Bake This Season?

Bonus Recipe: You’ve just got to try this amazing elegant, and easy dessert, Chocolate Espresso Mousse made with Mulino Bianco Cuoricini Cookie Crumble! (Video sponsored by Barilla.)

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 40 minutes
Spicy soft chocolate cookies with a kick of spicy heat! The perfect surprise cookie for holiday parties.
Servings: 48 cookies

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Using an electric mixer, beat the cocoa powder, sugar, oil, instant coffee granules, cinnamon, cayenne, baking powder, and salt together until well combined.
  • Beat in the vanilla and eggs, then scrape the bowl. Slowly add in the flour. The dough will look like brownie batter. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until firm enough to roll by hand.
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then place each ball in a bowl of powdered sugar and coat thoroughly, before placing on a baking sheet. Space the ball at least three inches apart.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool completely on the baking sheets before moving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie, Calories: 88kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 55mg, Potassium: 60mg, Fiber: 0g, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 25IU, Calcium: 13mg, Iron: 0.6mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Author: Sommer Collier
Making this recipe?Follow us on Instagram and tag @ASpicyPerspective so we can share what you’re cooking!

Share This Recipe With Friends!