Best Easy Vegan Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Craving Fudgy Brownies and Crispy Cookies? Why Choose When You Can Have Both?

Get ready to meet your new favorite treat: Vegan Brownie Crinkle Cookies! These cookies capture the rich, decadent flavor of brownies with the satisfyingly chewy, slightly crispy texture of cookies. They’re so easy to make, incredibly impressive, and totally vegan—no one will ever guess they’re plant-based.

Why You’ll Love It

• Intensely rich chocolate flavor that rivals your favorite brownie.
• Perfectly chewy centers with beautiful, crackly tops.
• Incredibly easy to make, requiring just one bowl and minimal prep time.
• Impressive enough for special occasions but simple enough for a weeknight treat.
• Completely vegan and absolutely delicious – everyone will enjoy them!

What Makes This Recipe Unique?

This recipe uses a combination of melted vegan chocolate and cocoa powder to create that intensely fudgy, brownie-like flavor. The secret to those beautiful crinkles is a chilling period, which allows the dough to firm up and ensures a gorgeous, cracked surface when baked. Plus, we’re skipping the eggs and dairy, proving that plant-based baking can be just as decadent and satisfying.

Ingredient List

• 1 cup (225g) Vegan Dark Chocolate, finely chopped
• ⅓ cup (80ml) Vegetable Oil, plus extra for greasing
• ¾ cup (150g) Granulated Sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
• ½ cup (60g) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – For that deep chocolate flavor.
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 cup (120g) All-Purpose Flour
• ¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
• Powdered Sugar, for coating

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a heatproof bowl, melt the vegan dark chocolate and vegetable oil in the microwave, in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
3. Add both sugars, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the melted chocolate mixture. Whisk until well combined.
4. Sift in the cocoa powder, flour, and baking powder to the wet ingredients and mix until a smooth batter forms.
5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to firm up (or longer for even more flavorful cookies).
6. Once chilled, using a tablespoon, scoop out the dough and roll each into a ball.
7. Place the powdered sugar in a bowl, roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar until fully coated.
8. Place the sugar coated dough balls onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the edges are set, and the tops are crinkled.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional Toppings/Variations

Want to take your brownie cookies to the next level? Here are a few ideas:

• Chocolate Chips: Fold ½ cup of vegan chocolate chips into the batter before chilling.
• Espresso Powder: Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the batter to enhance the chocolate flavor.
• Sea Salt: Sprinkle a touch of flaky sea salt over the tops of the cookies before baking for a sweet and salty contrast.
• Nuts: Fold in ½ cup of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch and flavor.

Expert Tips

• Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s essential for the cookies to develop that beautiful crackled top and prevent them from spreading too much.
• Use good-quality vegan chocolate for the best flavor.
• Don’t overbake the cookies; they will firm up as they cool.
• Make sure your baking powder is fresh to ensure proper rising.
• For extra fudginess, underbake by a minute or two.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Can I substitute the oil with applesauce or other oil replacements? While you can experiment with substitutes, using oil will result in a fudgier texture. If using applesauce, start with ½ the amount of oil and see how the dough looks.
• How do I store these cookies? Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
• Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or frozen for up to a month.
• Can I use different types of flour? We recommend sticking with all-purpose flour for this recipe. For a gluten-free version, experiment with gluten-free blends and you may need to add a binder.
• My cookies aren’t crinkling, what went wrong? This could be due to the dough not being chilled long enough, so make sure to chill it properly. It also helps if you coat the dough generously with the powdered sugar.

Variations and Customization Options

Get creative with your brownie cookies! Here are some fun ideas to try:

• Mint Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the batter and use mint chocolate chips.
• Orange Chocolate: Add 1 teaspoon of orange zest and a few drops of orange extract to the batter.
• Spice it up: Add a pinch of cinnamon or chili powder to the batter for a warm kick.

Serving Suggestions

These Vegan Brownie Crinkle Cookies are perfect on their own with a glass of plant-based milk or a cup of coffee. They also make a wonderful addition to a dessert platter or a sweet treat to bring to gatherings. If you are feeling fancy, serve them with a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of vegan chocolate sauce.

Conclusion

These Vegan Brownie Crinkle Cookies are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They’re incredibly delicious, surprisingly easy to make, and the perfect way to satisfy your chocolate cravings. So, what are you waiting for? Go bake a batch (or two!) and don’t forget to share your photos with me. I can’t wait to see your gorgeous crinkly creations!