This Gooey Chocolate Crackle Cookies recipe is hard to beat and incredibly easy to make. They taste like a slightly tangy, buttery brownie with crunchy flaky edges. You could argue that these are a holiday cookie, what with the snowy-mountain appearance and all, but I think they have pool party, book club and Tuesday afternoon written all over them.
Making Chocolate Crackle Cookies dairy free:
Everyone loves them, which is also a bonus, especially when I'm bringing a treat to a party with people who aren't GF. I made this recipe with a dairy-free cream cheese substitute from Miyoko's, and it works beautifully. You can always swap in a butter substitute too. Our favorite there is also Miyoko's.
Choosing cake mix for your cookies:
I use Pamela’s Products Chocolate Cake Mix to make them, and I have to say it’s my absolute favorite. I like Pamela’s GF Artisan Flour Blend, too. It's my go-to when I’m not making my own blend. If you haven’t tried their line of mixes, I recommend picking up a bag or two and giving them a go. Don’t miss their Bread Mix either – that one is the business.
Don't skip the chill step in your Chocolate Crackle Cookies:
Don’t skip the chilling step on this recipe, or you’ll have flat, fudgy frisbees instead of delicious Chocolate Crackle Cookies goodness.
PPS: Not sponsored. This is legit what I use. But y'all knew that.
If I'm making a cookie platter, I usually make Chocolate Crackles, Pecan Drops or 3-Ingredient Macadamia Cookies, and Pistachio Shortbread with Edible Flowers because they're so pretty.
Gooey Chocolate Crackle Cookies
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature | or dairy-free substitute
- 8 tablespoons butter room temperature (1 stick) | or dairy-free substitute
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 bag Pamela’s GF Chocolate Cake Mix or your favorite chocolate cake mix, 18-22 ounces
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup chocolate chunks or chopped pecans optional
Instructions
- Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, blend the cream cheese, butter and salt until smooth. Add the egg and vanilla, and beat until fully incorporated. Then beat in the cake mix, stopping to scrape down the sides once or twice so that everything is good and mixed. If you’re adding in chocolate chunks or pecans, add them now and give the mixer just a few turns to get them all mixed in. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Do not skip the chilling. You have been warned.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C), and line a cookie sheet with parchment or a Silpat.
- Add the powdered sugar to a small bowl. Scoop heaping tablespoon sized portions of the chilled dough out and roll them into balls. Then, roll the balls in the powdered sugar to get a heavy coating. Place the balls about 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet, and bake for 14-16 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Photos by my friend Meg of This Mess Is Ours. Her kiddo LOVES Chocolate Crackle Cookies too!
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