Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate the season with these festive red and green crinkle cookies. They are soft, colorful, and coated in a sweet powdered sugar crust that creates a delightful contrast. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a cheerful treat any time of year.

A pyramid of round cookies is shown, each with cracked tops covered in powdered sugar. The cookies come in two colors: red and green, mixed and stacked together. The powdered sugar on top contrasts with the bright colors, settling into the cracks and giving a textured look. The cookies are placed on a white marbled surface with a cooling rack and a stack of white plates blurred in the background. Some red decorative items are also visible in the scene. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix (13.25 oz)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
  • Red gel food coloring
  • Green gel food coloring

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix until a smooth, thick dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Split the dough into two equal portions.
  3. Step 3: In separate bowls, add red gel food coloring to one portion and green gel food coloring to the other. Mix well until the colors are vibrant and even.
  4. Step 4: Cover both bowls with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm the dough.
  5. Step 5: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
  6. Step 6: Scoop 1 tablespoon portions of dough and roll each into a ball.
  7. Step 7: Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar until fully coated.
  8. Step 8: Arrange the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet.
  9. Step 9: Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the cookies develop crinkles and are set around the edges. Be careful not to overbake; the centers should remain soft.
  10. Step 10: Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

  • Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the dough for extra depth of flavor.
  • Mix in white chocolate chips for a sweeter twist.
  • Use gel food coloring for more vibrant colors without changing dough consistency.
  • For softer cookies, slightly underbake and allow them to finish setting on the baking sheet.

Storage

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a sealed container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. Cookies can be gently warmed in a microwave for 10-15 seconds if desired.

How to Serve

A stack of round cookies arranged in a pyramid shape on a white marbled surface, each cookie about the same size with a cracked texture on top. The cookies are two colors, red and green, alternating and dusted with white powdered sugar that fills the cracks, giving a frosted look. The background shows more cookies cooling on a wire rack and a white plate with a small stack of cookies on the right side. The scene has soft natural lighting that highlights the sugar's texture and the cookies' slightly rough surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular liquid food coloring instead of gel?

You can use liquid food coloring, but gel colors provide more vibrant shades without altering the dough’s texture or moisture content.

How do I keep the cookies soft inside?

To keep the centers soft, avoid overbaking and remove the cookies from the oven as soon as the edges are set and crinkled. Letting them rest on the baking sheet helps them finish baking gently.

Print
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Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies Recipe


  • Author: Marina
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Festive Red and Green Crinkle Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring soft, chewy centers with a beautifully cracked powdered sugar coating. Made from a simple white cake mix base, enhanced with vibrant red and green gel food coloring, they add a cheerful pop of color to any festive gathering. Perfectly easy to prepare and quick to bake, these cookies are ideal for holiday parties or gifting.


Ingredients

Scale

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

Optional Add-ins

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • White chocolate chips (quantity as desired)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, and vegetable oil. Mix thoroughly until a smooth, thick dough forms.
  2. Divide and color: Split the dough into two equal portions. Transfer each portion to a separate bowl. Add red gel food coloring to one bowl and green gel food coloring to the other. Mix well until the colors are vibrant and evenly distributed.
  3. Chill the dough: Cover both bowls tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle.
  4. Preheat the oven: Set the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cookie removal.
  5. Form and coat cookies: Using a tablespoon scoop, portion out the dough and roll each into a ball. Generously roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until it is fully coated, creating the characteristic crinkle effect.
  6. Bake: Place the coated dough balls spaced about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, or until cookies develop crinkled surfaces and are set around the edges but remain soft in the center. Avoid overbaking.
  7. Cool: Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 2-3 minutes after removing from the oven. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For added flavor depth, you can mix 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract into the dough before coloring.
  • White chocolate chips can be gently folded into the dough for extra sweetness and texture.
  • Do not overbake; the cookies should be soft in the center to maintain a chewy texture.
  • The powdered sugar coating not only adds sweetness but helps create the classic crinkle appearance.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: holiday cookies, crinkle cookies, festive cookies, red and green cookies, cake mix cookies, Christmas cookies, easy holiday baking

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