Salted Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Introduction
Salted Brownie Crinkle Cookies combine rich chocolate flavor with a delicate crackled surface and a hint of sea salt. These cookies are soft, fudgy, and perfect for anyone who loves a balance of sweet and salty in their treats. They’re easy to make and sure to impress.

Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- Step 3: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Step 4: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Step 5: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients until just combined. The dough will be sticky.
- Step 6: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm the dough.
- Step 7: Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll into balls. Roll each ball in confectioners’ sugar, ensuring they are generously coated.
- Step 8: Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
- Step 9: Sprinkle a few sea salt flakes on top of each cookie ball.
- Step 10: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set and the tops have a crinkle appearance.
- Step 11: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor.
- If you prefer chewier cookies, slightly underbake by reducing the baking time by a minute.
- Try adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the dough for extra texture.
- For a different salty touch, use flaked Maldon sea salt or fleur de sel.
Storage
Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the cooled cookies in a sealed bag for up to 3 months. To reheat, warm gently in a low oven or microwave for a few seconds to restore softness.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
It’s best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt added. If you use salted butter, reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
Why do the cookies need to chill before baking?
Chilling firms the dough, which helps the cookies hold their shape and creates the signature crinkles on top while baking.
PrintSalted Brownie Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Salted Brownie Crinkle Cookies combine rich, fudgy chocolate with a delicate crackled sugar coating and a hint of sea salt, creating a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors. These chewy, soft-centered cookies are easy to make and chilled before baking to achieve the signature crinkle tops, making them an irresistible treat perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating and Topping
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and allow even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of the leavening agent and cocoa throughout the dough. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, which incorporates air for a tender cookie texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time to the butter-sugar mixture, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; be careful not to overmix. The dough will be sticky, which is expected for fudgy cookies.
- Chill Dough: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes to firm it, making it easier to handle and helping the cookies maintain their shape during baking.
- Form Cookie Balls: Scoop tablespoons of chilled dough and roll into balls. Then roll each ball generously in confectioners’ sugar to create the signature crackled appearance after baking.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart to allow room for spreading while baking.
- Add Sea Salt: Sprinkle a few sea salt flakes on top of each cookie ball to enhance the smoky-salty contrast to the sweet chocolate.
- Bake Cookies: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops develop a crinkle appearance, signaling they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely and avoid breaking.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough well; this helps achieve the classic crackled surface.
- Make sure not to overbake—cookies should be soft in the center when removed from the oven as they will firm up while cooling.
- Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for richer chocolate flavor.
- Sea salt flakes add a delightful contrast but can be omitted if you prefer less salty flavor.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Keywords: salted brownie cookies, crinkle cookies, chocolate cookies, sea salt cookies, fudge cookies, holiday cookies, easy cookie recipe

