Delicious Chocolate Surprise Crinkle Cookies: The Ultimate Leftover Candy Treat
Transform your favorite leftover candies into a delightful surprise! These Chocolate Surprise Crinkle Cookies are rich, chewy, and filled with gooey centers, then perfectly rolled in powdered sugar for that signature crinkled look. They’re the best way to enjoy post-holiday sweets!
The air is crisp, the leaves are changing, and there’s a festive buzz everywhere. For many, this time of year means Halloween is just around the corner! Are you planning to dress up, or are you more excited about the treats? While some might feel a bit overwhelmed by the extended Halloween season with parties every weekend throughout October, one thing is certain: it’s a holiday that celebrates the joy of candy!
Speaking of sweets, my childhood memories are filled with the aroma of freshly baked chocolate crinkle cookies. My mom used to make them all the time, and they quickly became one of my absolute favorite treats. There’s something undeniably magical about their fudgy, rich interior contrasting with the delicate, snowy powdered sugar exterior. Have you ever tried making these classic cookies before?
I decided to take this beloved classic and elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness. The secret? A delightful surprise hidden inside each cookie! By tucking a piece of your favorite candy into the center of the dough, every bite becomes an exciting discovery. That’s why I call them “Surprise Crinkle Cookies” – you never quite know what delicious filling awaits you.
The Joy of the Candy Surprise
Imagine biting into a soft, chocolatey cookie, and discovering a warm, gooey caramel center, a molten peanut butter cup, or a crunchy chocolate bar. It’s an experience that brings a smile to everyone’s face! The cookie pictured above, for instance, has a miniature Milky Way inside. The way the caramel melts and blends with the rich chocolate cookie is simply irresistible. But why stop there? I’ve experimented with a variety of candies, and the possibilities are endless. M&M’s, Twix, Crunch bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Almond Joys – you name it, I’ve probably tried it! While I have a soft spot for the ooey-gooey goodness of a Milky Way, each candy brings its unique texture and flavor profile to the cookie.
This recipe is particularly perfect for those moments after Halloween, or any holiday, when you find yourself with an abundance of leftover candy. Instead of letting those treats sit around, transform them into something even more spectacular. These cookies are a fantastic way to repurpose your candy haul, turning potential waste into pure indulgence. You and your family will instantly fall in love with these innovative and incredibly tasty crinkle cookies.
Tips for Perfect Crinkle Cookies
Achieving that signature crinkled effect is simpler than you might think. The key is the generous coating of powdered sugar. As the cookies bake and expand, the powdered sugar doesn’t expand with them, causing it to crack and create those beautiful, snowy fissures. Here are a few tips to ensure your Surprise Crinkle Cookies turn out perfectly every time:
- Chill the Dough: While not strictly required by all crinkle cookie recipes, a short chill time (30 minutes to an hour) can make the dough easier to handle, especially when encasing candy. It also helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much.
- Generous Rolling: Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar! Roll the dough balls thoroughly, ensuring they are completely coated. This maximizes the crinkle effect. You can even roll them a second time just before baking if you want an extra snowy appearance.
- Candy Size Matters: Ensure your candy pieces are small enough to be fully enclosed by the dough. Miniature candies, or larger bars cut into bite-sized chunks, work best.
- Don’t Overbake: Crinkle cookies are best when they are slightly soft and fudgy in the center. Bake them just until the edges are set but the centers still look a little soft. They will continue to set as they cool.
- Even Baking: Place cookies on an ungreased baking sheet, leaving enough space between them to allow for spreading. Baking 12 cookies at a time usually works well for standard cookie sheets.
Flavor Variations and Customization
Beyond the endless candy fillings, you can also customize the base cookie itself. While this recipe uses a classic chocolate crinkle base, consider these variations:
- Spiced Crinkles: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a touch of chili powder to the dough for a warm, complex flavor profile.
- Mint Chocolate Crinkles: Introduce a teaspoon of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist, especially delightful with peppermint patties or Andes mints as the surprise center.
- Nutty Crinkles: If you’re not using nut-filled candies, you can add finely chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts) to the dough for added texture.
- White Chocolate Crinkles: For a lighter chocolate flavor, use white baking cocoa or melt white chocolate into the dough, then pair with fruity candies for a different experience.
These Surprise Crinkle Cookies are more than just a treat; they’re an experience. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and a fantastic conversation starter. They embody the spirit of indulgence and creativity, making them a perfect addition to any festive gathering or a simple, joyful afternoon snack.
Chocolate Surprise Crinkle Cookies
These fudgy chocolate cookies are made even better with a delicious candy surprise in the middle!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 1/2 cup Truvia Brown Sugar Blend (or 1 cup light brown sugar)
- 1/2 cup Truvia Baking Blend (or 1 cup granulated sugar)
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 3/4 cup baking cocoa
- 2 eggs
- Assorted candies, cut into bite-size pieces
- Powdered sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º F. In a mixing bowl, combine the butter, coconut oil, and sugars. Blend until smooth.
- Add vanilla extract, flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, then add the eggs last, mixing until just combined.
- Take two small pieces of dough (about 1 tablespoon each), flatten one piece, place a candy in the center, and top with the second piece of dough. Smooth the dough around the candy to completely enclose it. Roll the enclosed dough into a ball, then roll generously in powdered sugar. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining dough and candy. Bake 12 cookies at a time on a cookie sheet for 12 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes to firm up, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your sweet surprise!
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Storing and Serving Your Crinkle Cookies
Once cooled, these Chocolate Surprise Crinkle Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze the baked cookies for up to a month. Just make sure they are completely cool before freezing and thaw them at room temperature when ready to enjoy. They’re fantastic warm, allowing the candy centers to get extra gooey, but they’re equally delicious at room temperature.
Whether you’re looking for a creative way to use up that stash of Halloween candy, preparing a special treat for a gathering, or simply craving a rich, chocolatey cookie with a fun twist, these Surprise Crinkle Cookies are sure to be a hit. Get ready to bake, bite, and discover your new favorite dessert!
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More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Try
If you loved these Surprise Crinkle Cookies, you’ll definitely want to explore more of my delightful cookie creations. Here are a few other recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
Oatmeal S’mores Cookies
Healthy Eggless Cookie Dough
Easy Chocolate Chip Bisquick Cookies