Have you ever wanted to bake something that just stops people in their tracks? A cookie that looks as good as it tastes?
Well, you found it. These purple crinkle cookies are soft, chewy, and super easy to make.
Forget boring cookies. Let’s make something fun that will disappear from the cookie jar in minutes.
What You’ll Need
Here are the simple things you need to grab from your kitchen.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Vegetable oil
- Large eggs
- Purple gel food coloring
- Ube extract (optional, for flavor)
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for rolling)
Tools to Get the Job Done
You don’t need any fancy equipment for this.
- Two mixing bowls (one medium, one large)
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
How to Make Purple Crinkle Cookies
Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set it aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the granulated sugar and vegetable oil until combined.
Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract, ube extract, and purple gel food coloring.
Step 4: Slowly add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture. Mix with a spatula until just combined. Don’t overmix it.
Step 5: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill the dough in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This is the most important step!
Step 6: When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Put the powdered sugar in a small, shallow bowl.
Step 8: Scoop out tablespoon-sized balls of chilled dough. Roll each ball in your hands until smooth, then roll it generously in the powdered sugar to coat it completely.
Step 9: Place the sugar-coated balls on the baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
Step 10: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The edges should be set, but the center will still be a little soft.
Step 11: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips from a Chef
I’ve made a lot of crinkle cookies. Here are a few secrets to get them perfect every time.
Don’t Skip the Chill: Chilling the dough is key. It makes the dough less sticky and stops the cookies from spreading too much in the oven. This helps create those awesome crinkles.
Use Gel Food Coloring: Liquid food coloring can make your dough watery. Gel coloring is much stronger, so you get a deep purple color without changing the cookie’s texture.
Double Roll in Sugar: For a super white, crackled top, roll the dough balls in powdered sugar once. Then, roll them a second time right before you put them on the baking sheet. This creates a thick crust that cracks perfectly.
Swaps and Fun Twists
Want to change things up? Here are a few ideas.
| Swap This | For This | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Vanilla Extract | Lemon or Almond Extract | A new, fresh flavor |
| Purple Coloring | Blue, Pink, or Green Gel | Cookies for any holiday |
| Ube Extract | No extract | Still delicious, less flavor |
You can also add things to the dough for more texture and taste.
| Add-In Idea | How Much? | When to Add It? |
|---|---|---|
| White Chocolate Chips | 1 cup | Mix in after combining wet & dry ingredients |
| Sprinkles | 1/2 cup | Mix in at the very end |
Can I Make These Ahead?
Yes, you can. This dough is great for making ahead.
You can make the dough and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Or, roll the dough into balls (don’t coat with sugar) and freeze them. When you’re ready to bake, let them thaw a little, roll them in powdered sugar, and bake. You may need to add a minute or two to the baking time.
Storing Your Cookies
These cookies are best eaten fresh, but they store well.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and chewy for up to 4 days.
Don’t put them in the fridge, as it can make them dry out.
Nutrition and Diet Info
This is an estimate, and actual values can change based on the ingredients you use. A single cookie is roughly 120 calories.
Making these for someone with a special diet? No problem.
| Diet Need | How to Adjust |
|---|---|
| Gluten-Free | Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. |
| Dairy-Free | This recipe is naturally dairy-free! |
| Vegan | Use a flax egg and ensure sugar is vegan. |
What to Serve with These Cookies
These cookies are amazing all on their own.
But they are even better with a cold glass of milk.
They also go great with a cup of coffee or tea for an afternoon treat.
FAQs About Purple Crinkle Cookies
Q1. Why didn’t my cookies crinkle?
Ans: Usually, this happens if the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. The cold dough hitting the hot oven is what helps create the crinkles. Another reason could be not using enough powdered sugar.
Q2. My dough is really sticky. What did I do wrong?
Ans: You did nothing wrong! This dough is naturally sticky before it’s chilled. After a few hours in the fridge, it will be firm and much easier to handle.
Q3. Can I use liquid food coloring instead of gel?
Ans: You can, but you’ll need a lot more to get a bright color, which might make your dough too wet. Gel is your best bet for a deep purple.
Wrapping Up
There you have it. A simple recipe for cookies that are sure to make everyone smile.
They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.
Give them a try, and let me know how they turn out in the comments below. I’d love to hear about it
