Simple Christmas Crinkle Cookies

If you love a colorful Christmas cookie, one that comes together in minutes for just pennies on the dollar, this is the perfect recipe for you! These Christmas crinkle cookies are so pretty and delicious! 

What are Crinkle Cookies

Crinkle cookies are unique from others, in that the dough is rolled in powdered sugar before baking. As the cookies bake, crevices form in the exterior, forming a “crinkly” look. 

I’ve made a lot of crinkle cookies over the years: some from scratch (like my chocolate sugar crinkle cookies), others made with cool whip (like my Lemon Crinkle Cookies and my Strawberry Fluffies).

This Christmas version is made with a few simple ingredients you probably have on hand! 

Christmas Crinkle Cookie Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a peek at what you’ll need! 

• 1 box white cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1 stick room temperature butter
• red and green food coloring gel
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• Extracts or oils for flavoring: peppermint or cinnamon (or both)

How to Make Christmas Crinkle Cookies

Combine cake mix, eggs and room temperature (or lightly melted and cooled) butter. 

Mix until thoroughly combined. 

Separate dough into two bowls, making equal portions. 

Color one green. Color the other red. 

If you’re adding flavorings, this is the time to do so. I made my green ones peppermint and my red cinnamon. (I used a drop each of oil flavorings but you can use extracts if you like.) Remember, less is more with these strong flavors. You’ll only need a drop or two. 

Roll into balls and place on parchment lined baking sheet. 

Place in refrigerator for 10 minutes to chill. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Roll cookies in powdered sugar. (Use liberally) 

Place in preheated 375 degree oven and bake for about 10 minute or until set. 

You’ll notice the crevices, which is what you want. 

Remove and place on wire rack to cool. 

After a few minutes transfer cookies directly to rack to continue cooling.  

Serve and enjoy! 

Store in airtight container at room temperature. They should stay fresh for 4-5 days. 

Variations on this Recipe

Sprinkles: Add Christmas sprinkles to the dough to make these even more colorful. 

Valentine’s Day: Make these in shades of pink and/or lavender for a lovely Valentine’s Day treat. 

Lemon: Choose lemon cake mix for a fun variation on this recipe. 

Chocolate: If you like chocolate you can always skip the flavorings and simply use a box of chocolate cake. 

That’s it for this post, friends! I hope you enjoyed this delicious recipe. 

If you make this recipe and love it, don’t forget to leave a review and a comment below. And while you’re at it, go ahead and pin some photos to your Pinterest boards!

See this recipe at  

• Full Plate Thursday 
• Weekend Potluck

About the Author

Janice Thompson is an author, baker, and all-around mischief maker! She has overcome a host of baking catastrophes, including a toppled wedding cake, to learn more about the baking process. Janice has published over 165 books for the Christian market but particularly enjoys writing recipes and baking devotions. To learn more about Janice or to drop her a note, visit her About the Author page.