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    Home » Cookies

    Easy Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies

    Published: Nov 21, 2023 by Samantha Ensinger · 6 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These easy chocolate sprinkle cookies are the ultimate chocolate lover's dessert! Made with cocoa powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a coating of chocolate sprinkles, each cookie is thick, fluffy, and packed with the best chocolate flavor. Best of all, they are easy to make without a mixer and look beautiful at any party.

    A tray full of chocolate sprinkle cookies with rainbow sprinkles and chocolate sprinkles, shown from above.

    If you've ever made chocolate crinkle cookies, these are not much different. Instead of rolling the cookies in powdered sugar, they are coated in sprinkles for a beautiful exterior. These cookies have crinkly, crackly tops with a thick, soft, and chewy bite. They make an awesome party dessert or holiday treat, just use your favorite sprinkles for the special occasion!

    The chocolate desserts don't stop with this recipe. Check out these fudgy dairy-free brownies, these chewy chocolate chip cookies, and these red velvet oreo cookies for more chocolate baking inspiration.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love These Cookies
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Cookie Baking Tips
    • Easy Chocolate Cookie Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storage & Freezing
    • More Easy Cookie Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love These Cookies

    • This cookie recipe is quick and easy to make in one bowl with no mixer.
    • Every bite is full of rich chocolate flavor that all chocolate lovers will adore!
    • Beautiful sprinkles coat the outside, making them perfect for any holiday or party.
    • The recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free friendly with simple ingredients.
    • Each cookie is thick and soft inside with a delicious crunch of sprinkles.
    • The best combination of chocolate and sugar cookie flavor for the ultimate dessert.

    Ingredients

    You only need 10 ingredients to make these cookies. Below are helpful ingredient tips. Make sure to see the recipe card at the end for all ingredient information.

    All ingredients to make the cookie recipe prepared in small dishes, shown from above.
    • Chocolate chips - Semi-sweet chocolate chips work best. Use dark chocolate chips for a deeper chocolate flavor. Milk chocolate chips will make sweeter chocolate sugar cookies.
    • Salted butter - Melt the butter with the chocolate before mixing into the dough.
    • Granulated sugar - Sweetens the cookies and compliments the cocoa flavor.
    • Brown sugar - Both light brown sugar and dark brown sugar work well.
    • Vanilla extract - Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
    • Eggs - Binds the ingredients and creates fluffy, soft cookies.
    • Flour - Use gluten-free 1-1 baking flour for gluten-free sprinkle cookies. Regular all-purpose flour works just as well.
    • Cocoa powder - Dutch-process cocoa powder provides the best chocolate flavor. Unsweetened cacao powder can also be used.
    • Baking soda - Helps the cookies rise and spread in the oven.
    • Sprinkles - I recommend chocolate jimmie sprinkles or rainbow sprinkles.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    These cookies are so quick and easy to make without a mixer. Here are step-by-step instructions for how to make the best chocolate sprinkle cookies at home:

    Microwaving the chocolate chips and butter in a bowl until smooth.

    STEP 1: Microwave the chocolate chips and butter in 15 to 30-second intervals until smooth and melted, being sure to stir between intervals.

    Whisking the wet ingredients together with the melted chocolate.

    STEP 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Then stir in the melted chocolate until creamy and smooth.

    Adding the flour and cocoa powder to the bowl of cookie dough.

    STEP 3: Add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt to the mixture. Stir until the dry ingredients are just combined.

    Chocolate cookie dough ready to be chilled for one hour in the fridge.

    STEP 4: The mixed dough will be soft and sticky, like brownie batter. Cover and chill the dough for at least 1 hour to firm up before baking.

    Scooping cookie dough balls and rolling them in sprinkles before placing them on the baking sheet.

    STEP 5: Once the dough has chilled, scoop 1-inch cookie dough balls and roll each ball in sprinkles. Place the dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving 1-2" of space between each cookie.

    Baked chocolate cookies with sprinkles on the outside.

    STEP 6: Bake the chocolate sprinkle cookies at 350°F for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and the edges are set. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

    TIP: Chilling the dough is important! Don't skip this step, or your cookies will spread way too much in the oven and not be thick and fluffy. Chilling the dough allows the flour to absorb the liquid and create a richer flavor. You may need to let the chilled dough sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before scooping the dough balls.

    Close up of a chocolate cookie with chocolate sprinkles coating the outside.

    Expert Cookie Baking Tips

    • Properly measure flour - Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off for accuracy. Avoid directly scooping the measuring cup into the flour, because this will compact it and the cookies won't spread as they should.
    • Don't over-mix - Mix the dough until the ingredients are just combined. Don't mix too long or the cookies will become crispier and flatter.
    • Use parchment paper - Line the baking sheet with parchment paper so the cookies bake evenly on the pan and are easy to remove.
    • Don't over-bake - The cookies should be slightly underdone at first because they will continue to cook as they cool. This ensures they have a chewy center.

    Easy Chocolate Cookie Variations

    Here are some easy variations you can make to this cookie recipe:

    • With espresso powder - Add a teaspoon of espresso powder for a slight coffee taste to compliment the dark chocolate.
    • Eggless cookies - Try using flax eggs in place of eggs for an eggless version.
    • With oil - You can replace the butter with melted coconut oil if desired.
    • Chocolate crinkle cookies - Roll the cookie dough balls in powdered sugar for an easy crinkle cookie for the holidays.
    • Dairy-free - Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips.

    Try these easy peanut butter blossom cookies for a recipe with Hershey's Kisses!

    A tray of sprinkle cookies, some with chocolate sprinkles and some with rainbow sprinkles shown from above.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you sprinkle cookies before or after baking?

    Roll the cookie dough balls in sprinkles before baking for best results. You can add extra sprinkles on the cookies when they are fresh out of the oven if desired.

    Can I use milk chocolate?

    Yes! You can make the cookies with milk chocolate for a sweeter taste, toning down the cocoa flavor and making it taste more like a chocolate sugar cookie.

    What sprinkles are best for chocolate cookies?

    For the ultimate chocolate flavor, use chocolate jimmy sprinkles. For a more colorful, sweeter cookie, use rainbow sprinkles or holiday sprinkles. Any sprinkle shape works well, including nonpareils, jimmies, sugar pearls, and more.

    How do I make crispy sprinkle cookies?

    If you prefer a thin and crispy cookie instead of a thick and chewy one, bake the cookies for an extra 2-3 minutes and let them cool longer on the baking tray.

    A stack of three easy chocolate sugar cookies with sprinkles showing the inside of the chewy cookie.

    Storage & Freezing

    Store leftover chocolate sprinkle cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-7 days. This keeps them moist and fresh as long as possible.

    You can freeze leftover baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 30 days. Remember to thaw the cookies for 1-2 hours before eating.

    More Easy Cookie Recipes

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      Crushed Oreo Red Velvet Cookies
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      3-Ingredient Peanut Butter Blossoms (Quick & Easy!)
    • healthy 2-ingredient peanut butter cookies on a tray.
      2-Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies (No Egg)

    Did you make these easy chocolate sprinkle cookies with cocoa? Please leave a star rating and review below. This supports my blog and helps other readers! Share your chocolate cookies on Instagram or TikTok and remember to tag me. To stay updated with new recipes, follow me on Pinterest and join my email list.

    Recipe

    A tray full of chocolate sprinkle cookies with crackly tops and chewy centers.

    Easy Chocolate Sprinkle Cookies

    Samantha Ensinger
    These easy chocolate sprinkle cookies are the best chocolate lover's dessert! Made with cocoa powder, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a coating of chocolate sprinkles, each cookie is thick and chewy with perfect crackly tops. This party dessert is quick and easy to make in one bowl without a mixer and is gluten-free.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Chill Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 cookies
    Calories 224 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Small Mixing Bowl
    • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
    • 1 Large Baking Sheet with Parchment Paper
    • 1 Cookie Scoop

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips see notes*
    • ⅓ cup salted butter (or dairy-free butter)
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ cup brown sugar light or dark works well
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
    • ½ cup dutch-process cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • ¾ cup chocolate jimmy sprinkles (or sprinkles of choice)

    Instructions
     

    • Start by melting the chocolate chips and butter together in a small, microwavable bowl. Microwave in 15-30 second intervals, stirring occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.
      1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, ⅓ cup salted butter
    • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and eggs until thoroughly combined. Then, stir in the melted chocolate until smooth.
      ½ cup granulated sugar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 2 large eggs
    • Stir in the flour, cocoa powder, and baking soda until just combined. The dough will be thin like brownie batter. Cover and chill the dough for at least one hour in the fridge to firm up.
      1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour, ½ cup dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Use a medium cookie scoop to form evenly-sized balls of cookie dough. Roll each ball of dough in chocolate sprinkles until fully coated. Place them on the prepared baking sheet 1-2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
      ¾ cup chocolate jimmy sprinkles
    • Bake the chocolate sprinkle cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until they have spread into circular shapes, the edges appear set, and the centers have cracks forming.
    • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before gently transferring them to a cooling rack. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Storage: Keep leftover chocolate cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-7 days. Freeze the baked cookies in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 30 days. Thaw before enjoying them again.
    *Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet chocolate chips provide the best flavor. Use dark chocolate chips for a richer, more bitter, and intense chocolate flavor. Use milk chocolate chips for a sweeter chocolate sugar cookie flavor.
    Chill Time: Chilling the dough for at least one hour is important! Don't skip this step, or your cookies will spread way too much in the oven and not be thick and fluffy. 
    Sprinkles: You can use any sprinkles for these cookies. Chocolate sprinkles, rainbow sprinkles, or any holiday sprinkles! Any sprinkle shape works well, including nonpareils, jimmies, sugar pearls, and festive versions.
    Cocoa Powder: Dutch-process cocoa powder provides the best chocolate flavor. Unsweetened cacao powder can also be used. Avoid cocoa powder with sugar added.
    Dairy-Free: Use vegan butter and dairy-free chocolate chips to make these sprinkle cookies dairy-free.
    Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour. Make sure not to pack it into the measuring cup or the cookies will be too dry.
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    « Fudgy Dairy Free Brownies
    Soft Christmas Sprinkle Sugar Cookies »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jodie says

      November 21, 2023 at 11:05 am

      5 stars
      These cookies are delicious! The chocolate flavor is super rich and indulgent. I used red and green Christmas sprinkles for a holiday party and everyone loved them! Very easy to make and I love that I don't have to get the mixer out. I will definitely make these again.

      Reply
      • Samantha Ensinger says

        November 21, 2023 at 11:07 am

        Hi Jodie, I am so happy that everyone at your holiday party loved these sprinkle cookies! The chocolate flavor is top-notch. Enjoy the recipe!

        Reply
    2. Beth says

      November 21, 2023 at 11:25 am

      5 stars
      Yum! These were delicious gluten free cookies and had a rich chocolate flavor. The sprinkles were a nice touch!

      Reply
      • Samantha Ensinger says

        November 21, 2023 at 11:29 am

        Hi Beth, thanks for making this cookie recipe! I'm glad you enjoyed them. The sprinkles are always a fun addition. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Lily says

      November 21, 2023 at 11:31 am

      5 stars
      I am obsessed with these cookies!! Seriously such a delicious flavor and easy to customize with different sprinkles. My kids kept asking for more! I used dairy free butter and they came out great.

      Reply
      • Samantha Ensinger says

        November 21, 2023 at 11:32 am

        Hi Lily, I'm so glad you and your kids loved these cookies. Great to hear they turned out well with dairy-free butter as well.

        Reply

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    A tray full of chocolate sprinkle cookies.