Crinkle cookies always promise drama. But too many recipes trade texture for looks. These Triple Chocolate Crinkle Sandwich Cookies stay true to their brownie roots, crackly on top, fudgy inside, with a creamy center that melts on the tongue.
You’ll learn how to bake them so they don’t dry out. I’ll also share why using milk chocolate in the filling instead of dark gives a better bite. And if you’ve been disappointed by crinkle cookies that crumble too fast or taste flat after a day, this recipe fixes that.

Why These Crinkle Cookies Work Like Brownie Sandwiches
You don’t need to pick between chewy and soft. This dough gives you both.
Using oil instead of butter helps the cookies stay tender for days. Melted semisweet chocolate brings depth. And that hit of dark cocoa? It balances the sugar, so you get chocolate first, sweetness second.
Rolling the dough in powdered sugar gives it that classic crackle finish. But what makes these special is what goes in the middle: a glossy ganache that doesn’t ooze, but also never turns stiff.
The Role of Ingredients in the Cookie Dough

This dough uses dark cocoa, semisweet chocolate, and a duo of sugars. The cocoa delivers boldness. Melted chocolate adds moisture. Brown sugar helps the cookies stay soft. Granulated sugar brings structure.
I use oil instead of butter here for a reason. I’ve tested both. Butter gives more flavor up front, but oil keeps the cookie soft longer—especially in sandwich form. If you plan to store them or gift them, oil is the better choice.
Two eggs and vanilla keep the dough stable. Just don’t skip the chilling step. The dough will be sticky at first. Cold dough holds its shape and bakes into that iconic crackled look.
Try these Brownie Crinkle Cookies if you want a simpler, no-filling version.
How the Ganache Filling Makes a Difference

The filling is soft, not runny. It sets enough to stack or pack, but still gives when you bite in. That comes from using milk chocolate instead of dark. I’ve tested both. Dark chocolate ganache tends to overpower the cookie. Milk chocolate blends into the background and lets the cookie shine.
The cream gives the filling a smooth body. A spoon of butter adds shine. Vanilla rounds it out. You don’t need much. A single tablespoon per cookie holds everything together.
For a deeper chocolate option, you might like these Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles.
How to Prep and Shape for the Right Texture

Once the dough is cold, scoop out even balls. A cookie scoop helps with portioning, but clean hands and a light touch will do the job. Roll each ball in powdered sugar—generously.
Bake until the tops split and the edges just set. Don’t wait for them to look firm. The centers should still feel soft. They’ll firm up as they cool. Let them cool fully before filling.

Ganache goes on the flat side of one cookie. Then top with another and press gently. You want the filling to reach the edges but not spill out. A piping bag gives control, but a spoon works too.

You can also test your skills on these Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies if you want something simpler with similar depth.
Serving Tips and Storage Advice That Actually Help
These sandwich cookies make an impact on any dessert tray. I usually place them in mini cupcake liners to keep fingers clean and ganache un-smeared.
Serve them at room temperature. Straight from the fridge, the ganache firms up too much and the cookie loses its chew.
They keep well in an airtight container for 3 days. Refrigerated, they last 5–6 days. Bring them to room temp before serving.
Final Notes and a Smart Ingredient Swap
You might wonder if dark cocoa is worth the pantry space. In my testing, Dutch-processed or Hershey’s Special Dark adds color and a stronger base than regular cocoa. If you swap it for natural cocoa, the cookies will taste flatter.
Also, don’t skip the powdered sugar coating. It’s not just for looks. It helps control the surface bake, keeping the cookie exterior soft while the inside stays fudgy.
If you’re in the mood to try more chocolate-forward bakes, my Chocolate Chip Cookies and Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies both deliver chewy satisfaction with their own twist.
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Pin this recipe to your dessert board so you can come back to it anytime you crave soft, rich, crinkle sandwich cookies with real chocolate flavor.
Tried these? Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out. Or ask a question—I’m always happy to help troubleshoot or offer tips.
Triple Chocolate Crinkle Sandwich Cookies
Triple Chocolate Crinkle Sandwiches combine the texture of a brownie with the crackly top of a classic crinkle cookie and a silky chocolate ganache center. The cookie dough uses both dark cocoa and melted semisweet chocolate, while the filling features smooth milk chocolate ganache for a layered chocolate flavor. The cookies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking, creating a dramatic crackle effect and a soft texture that complements the creamy filling.
Ingredients
- FOR THE CRINKLE COOKIES
- FOR THE CRINKLE COOKIES
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder (such as Hershey's Special Dark or Dutch-processed)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder (such as Hershey's Special Dark or Dutch-processed)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- 4 oz semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
- FOR THE CHOCOLATE FILLING
- FOR THE CHOCOLATE FILLING
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 6 oz milk chocolate, chopped
- 6 oz milk chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- MAKE THE DOUGH: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. Set aside.
- COMBINE WET INGREDIENTS: In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, and oil until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla extract and the cooled melted semisweet chocolate.
- ADD DRY INGREDIENTS: Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. The dough will be sticky. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to scoop.
- PREHEAT AND PREPARE: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- SHAPE COOKIES: Scoop chilled dough into 1-tablespoon portions, roll each into a ball, coat thoroughly in powdered sugar, and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- BAKE: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the cookies are cracked on top and just set around the edges. The centers should remain slightly soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- MAKE THE GANACHE: In a small saucepan, heat heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the chopped milk chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla extract. Let the ganache cool until thick enough to pipe or spread.
- ASSEMBLE THE SANDWICHES: Pair cookies by similar size. Pipe or spoon about 1 tablespoon of ganache onto the flat side of one cookie, then top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling to the edges.
- SET BEFORE SERVING: Let the assembled sandwich cookies sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, or refrigerate briefly to firm up the ganache and create clean edges.
Notes
Use a cookie scoop to portion dough evenly for uniform sandwich cookies. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
Nutrition Information
Yield
12Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 403Total Fat 23gSaturated Fat 9gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 48mgSodium 122mgCarbohydrates 47gFiber 2gSugar 34gProtein 5g
