If you are on the lookout for an irresistible, tender, and decadently flavored treat, this Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need to brighten your day. These cookies are a delightful fusion of deep dark chocolate and a subtle hint of rich rum that creates a perfect balance of flavors. Each bite melts in your mouth with a moist, fudgy texture adorned by those iconic crinkled powdered sugar tops that make these cookies utterly charming and feast-worthy. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night-in or an impressive dessert for guests, this recipe will quickly become a favorite go-to for all chocolate lovers looking for a little adult twist in their cookie jar.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with these Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe is as simple as gathering a handful of everyday ingredients that pack a punch. Each one plays a special role – from the flour that holds everything together to the luscious cocoa powder that provides richness, and of course, a splash of rum to lift the flavor.
- Flour: 2 cups of all-purpose flour create a sturdy base for the cookies.
- Baking Powder: 2 teaspoons help the cookies rise just enough to give them a light, puffy texture.
- Kosher Salt: Just a half teaspoon to enhance and balance the chocolate’s sweetness.
- Dark Hershey Cocoa Powder: 1 cup adds intense chocolate flavor and that beautiful dark color.
- Eggs: 4 large eggs bind the dough with richness and structure.
- Sugar: 1 cup sweetens and tenderizes the cookies perfectly.
- Canola Oil: Half a cup keeps the inside moist and soft without any heaviness.
- Captain Morgan Rum: 2 tablespoons bring warmth and complexity to the cookie’s profile.
- Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: Half a cup folded in for bursts of melty chocolate.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup for that classic snowy-dusted exterior that sets off the cookie’s rich color.
How to Make Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Whisk the Dry Ingredients
Start by combining the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and cocoa powder in a medium bowl. Whisking thoroughly ensures these dry ingredients blend evenly, which will help your cookies bake with consistent texture and flavor throughout.
Step 2: Beat Eggs and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes well combined and slightly frothy. This step incorporates air, which is important for lightness and that signature cookie puff.
Step 3: Mix in Oil and Rum
Add the canola oil and rum into your egg mixture, stirring until everything is fully incorporated. The oil keeps your cookies moist while the rum infuses a subtle, deliciously warm hint that makes these cookies stand out.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry mixture into the wet, gently folding it in until you have a smooth dough without any streaks of flour. Take care not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly into the dough. These pockets of melty chocolate are what will make each bite extra indulgent.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for one hour. Chilling firms the dough, which is key to forming cookies that spread properly and develop a lovely crinkled surface when baked.
Step 7: Prepare for Baking
Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure an easy cleanup.
Step 8: Coat the Dough Balls
Pour the powdered sugar into a small bowl. Using a small ice cream scoop or spoon, portion the chilled dough into balls, then roll each cookie ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar. This coating creates the unmistakeable crinkle effect after baking.
Step 9: Arrange and Bake
Place the sugar-coated dough balls evenly spaced on the prepared cookie sheets, about a dozen per sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the cookies puff up and their edges look set but still tender in the center.
Step 10: Cooling
Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps the cookies set perfectly, so you get that ideal texture when you bite in.
How to Serve Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe

Garnishes
These cookies are gorgeous on their own, but to dress them up, you can dust a bit more powdered sugar just before serving or sprinkle some finely chopped toasted nuts for extra crunch and flavor contrast.
Side Dishes
Pair your Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a cup of rich espresso to balance the sweetness. The combination elevates your dessert from simple cookies to a special treat any time of day.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive occasion, arrange the cookies on a tiered dessert stand or plate them alongside fresh berries and mint leaves. Wrapping a few in parchment and tying with twine also makes them wonderful edible gifts to share the love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, where they will stay fresh and soft for up to 5 days. Avoid stacking them right away to preserve their signature crinkle tops.
Freezing
You can freeze unbaked cookie dough balls by rolling them in powdered sugar first, then placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. This way, you can bake fresh batches anytime you crave them. Baked cookies also freeze well wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the cookies in a low oven (about 300°F) for 5 to 7 minutes to regain that freshly baked softness. Avoid microwaving as it can make them become chewy or hard.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of alcohol instead of rum?
Absolutely! While rum is traditional and adds a unique flavor, you can try bourbon or whiskey for a different but delicious twist. Just remember the taste will vary slightly.
What if I don’t have powdered sugar for coating?
Powdered sugar is key to the beautiful crinkle effect and sweetness of the exterior. If you don’t have any, try a mixture of granulated sugar and a small amount of cornstarch, though the classic powdered sugar delivers the best results.
Are these cookies chewy or crunchy?
They have a soft, fudgy center with a slight crisp on the edges. The texture is rich and tender, perfect for those who love chewy chocolate cookies rather than dry or crunchy ones.
How important is chilling the dough?
Chilling the dough for an hour is essential—it helps the cookies hold their shape and develop the signature crinkles while baking. Skipping this step can lead to flatter, less textured cookies.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can substitute the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend, but results may vary slightly in texture. Make sure your blend contains xanthan gum to help maintain structure.
Final Thoughts
If you want a cookie that feels like a special occasion in every bite, you really must try this Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe. It’s simple enough for a weekday treat yet indulgent enough to impress friends and family. Once you experience that perfect chocolate and rum harmony wrapped in a snowy, crinkled shell, these cookies will hold a permanent spot in your baking repertoire. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake a batch of these charming, flavorful delights—you won’t regret it!
Print
Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these rich and fudgy Chocolate Rum Crinkle Cookies, combining the deep flavor of dark cocoa with a hint of Captain Morgan rum and melty semi-sweet chocolate chips. Rolled in powdered sugar and baked to a perfect crinkle, these cookies are a delicious treat for any chocolate lover looking for a boozy twist.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup dark Hershey cocoa powder
Wet Ingredients
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons Captain Morgan rum
Add-ins and Coating
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for coating)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, kosher salt, and dark cocoa powder until fully combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and cocoa.
- Beat Eggs and Sugar: In a large bowl, using a mixer or whisk, beat the four eggs with the granulated sugar until the mixture is well combined and slightly thickened, which helps develop structure in the cookies.
- Incorporate Oil and Rum: Add the canola oil and Captain Morgan rum to the egg mixture, mixing thoroughly until the wet ingredients are fully integrated for flavor and moisture.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough which could lead to tough cookies.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Gently fold the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough to distribute pockets of melted chocolate throughout the cookies.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for one hour to firm it up, which aids in shaping and results in thicker cookies with better texture.
- Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Prepare Powdered Sugar Coating: Pour the powdered sugar into a small bowl, creating a coating station for the cookie dough balls.
- Scoop and Shape Dough: Using a small ice cream scooper or tablespoon, scoop out portions of dough and roll each into a ball for uniform cookie sizes.
- Coat with Powdered Sugar: Roll each dough ball thoroughly in the powdered sugar, ensuring a full coating that will crackle during baking to create the signature crinkle effect.
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated dough balls on the parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them evenly—about 12 per sheet—to allow for spreading during baking.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are puffed up and set around the edges but still soft in the center.
- Cool Slightly on Sheet: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes to firm up before transferring.
- Transfer to Wire Rack: Move the cookies to a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool completely which enhances their texture and prevents sogginess.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once fully cooled, enjoy these delectable chocolate rum crinkle cookies with a cup of coffee or as a sweet indulgence anytime.
Notes
- Chilling the dough is essential for achieving thick, fudgy cookies that hold their shape well.
- You can substitute canola oil with vegetable or sunflower oil if desired.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the rum and add a teaspoon of vanilla extract instead.
- Use good quality dark cocoa powder for the best rich chocolate flavor.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

