It’s cookie season! I’ve actually never been to a cookie exchange, but I know many people participate in that tradition. Cookies are fun to decorate and to gift to others. At this time of year, just give me chocolate and peppermint all day. Unless it’s something gingerbread, and I would be just as happy. These crinkle cookies are easy, dairy-free (they call for oil and not butter) and they are the perfect Christmas cookie!

Why you’ll love this recipe

• great for the holidays and cookie exchange parties;
• they are diary-free which is not always easy to find in cookie recipes;
• they stay fresh for several days;
• easy to add some festive touches like a Hershey’s kiss or a piece of peppermint bark!

Ingredients

• Cocoa powder – The difference between cocoa powder and cacao powder is the temperature used to process them. Cocoa powder is roasted at a high temperature and goes through a process to reduce its bitterness, which is why it’s mainly used in baked goods. Cacao powder on the other hand is made from raw cacao beans, so I prefer to use this in raw preparations, like a smoothie, but you can use it here if that’s what you have on hand. 
• Sugar – I use organic unbleached cane sugar, but you can use coconut sugar if you’d like since the cocoa powder will make them dark. 
• Olive oil – I love using olive oil in baked goods. Trust me, it won’t taste like a vinaigrette. 
• Eggs – I use large eggs. 
• Vanilla extract – use pure vanilla extract with no artificial flavors or additives for best flavor. You can also make your own. See this recipe. 
• Peppermint extract – is really strong. A little goes a long way. I remember adding too much to a smoothie once and it was inedible!
• Flour – I recommend using all-purpose, spelt flour, or a gluten-free flour blend. 
• Baking powder – I prefer an aluminum-free baking powder. 
• Powdered sugar – is pulverized white sugar. Also known as confectioner’s sugar, which give these cookies a nice powdery white coat. 

How to make it? 

1. Whisk together the cocoa powder and cane sugar. Add the olive oil and whisk until it forms a thick paste. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated. Stir in the vanilla and peppermint extract.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir the flour mixture into the wet cocoa-sugar mixture until just combined and no dry flour is visible. Try not to overmix. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate dough until chilled, 4 hours to overnight.
3. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 F degrees. Line a half sheet pan with unbleached parchment paper (use two sheet pans if you plan to make smaller cookies). Scoop 1 Tablespoon size balls of dough for small cookies or 2 Tablespoon size balls of dough for larger cookies. The dough will be slightly sticky. I recommend using a swing arm ice cream scoop for this. You can place the cookie dough balls on the sheet pan in the meantime. Be careful as they may stick to the parchment.
4. Place the powdered sugar in a small bowl. Take a ball of dough and roll it in the sugar, one at a time, coating well all sides and place back on the prepared baking sheet(s). Repeat with remaining cookie dough balls.
5. Bake small cookies for 10-12 minutes and larger cookies for 12-14 minutes, until the center of each cookie is just starting to set. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack to cool completely. The cookies will firm up slightly as they cool.

Tips

• Make sure you plan for the extra time to chill the dough.
• Cook them a little extra if you like a crisp cookie.
• You can add a candy cane Hershey kiss pressed in the center of each cookie after they come out of the oven. 
• Measure the mint extract over the counter and not the bowl in case you spill some.
• Might be fun to mix in crushed freeze-dried strawberries with the powdered sugar for a more festive look. 

Substitutions

• Cocoa powder – cacao powder. I haven’t tried it with carob powder, but it might work.
• Cane sugar – coconut sugar or maple sugar
• Flour – all-purpose, spelt flour, or gluten-free flour blend

Other chocolate desserts you may like:

*Peppermint Bark Shortbread

*Molten Chocolate Cakes

*Mini Flourless Chocolate Cakes

*Nut-free Flourless Fallen Chocolate Cake

*Baked Chocolate Cake Doughnuts

*Whole Grain Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Ganache (I love adding peppermint to the ganache!)

*Fudgy Black Bean Brownies with Chocolate Ganache

If you give this recipe a try, snap a pic and tag @pamelasalzman so I can see your beautiful creations. I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a rating and review! Subscribe for free to my site for the latest recipes,  updates and things I’m loving lately.  If you enjoy this recipe, I taught it last year in my online class!  Give me an hour a month, and I’ll make you a better, healthier cook!