Introduction

These Purple Crinkle Cookies are a delightful twist on a classic treat, featuring a vibrant purple hue and a soft, chewy texture. Flavored with ube extract, they bring a unique and beautiful color to your cookie platter that’s sure to impress.

Purple Crinkle Cookies Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp ube extract (or purple food coloring + flavoring)
½ cup (120ml) whole milk
½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for a thicker coating)

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar using a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Step 3: Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract and ube extract.
Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three additions, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined; avoid overmixing.
Step 5: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to prevent spreading during baking.
Step 6: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and cornstarch for the cookie coating.
Step 8: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough and roll into balls with your hands. The dough will be sticky—this is normal.
Step 9: Roll each dough ball in the powdered sugar mixture until well coated, then place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart.
Step 10: Bake for 12–14 minutes, until cookies spread and tops crack. They may look slightly underbaked in the center but will set as they cool.
Step 11: Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Dust again with the powdered sugar mixture for extra coating if desired.

Tips & Variations

If you don’t have ube extract, use purple food coloring combined with a bit of vanilla or almond extract to mimic the flavor and color.
For a thicker coating, add the optional cornstarch to the powdered sugar before rolling the dough balls.
Chilling the dough overnight enhances the flavor and helps achieve the crinkled appearance.

Storage

Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them fresh longer, freeze the baked cookies in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in a warm oven for a few minutes to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I substitute the ube extract with other flavors?

Yes, you can use purple food coloring along with vanilla or almond extract for a similar flavor and vibrant color if ube extract is not available.

Why do the cookies look underbaked in the center?

These cookies are meant to look slightly underbaked in the center to keep a soft, chewy texture. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the baking sheet and wire rack.

Purple Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 122 reviews

Purple Crinkle Cookies are delightfully soft and chewy treats with a vibrant purple hue, achieved using ube extract or purple food coloring with flavoring. These cookies feature a crackled powdered sugar coating and a tender crumb, making them perfect for any festive occasion or simple indulgence.

Author: Marco
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Filipino-American

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp ube extract (or purple food coloring + flavoring)
½ cup (120ml) whole milk

Coating Ingredients

½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for a thicker coating)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cream softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using a mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring full incorporation before adding the next. Stir in vanilla and ube extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three increments, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined, avoiding overmixing. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to prevent excessive spreading during baking.
Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine powdered sugar and cornstarch for the coating mixture.
Shape the Cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough and roll into balls using your hands. Expect the dough to be sticky.
Bake to Perfection and Coat: Place coated cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing about 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until cookies have spread and cracked on top. Though centers might appear slightly underbaked, they will firm up as they cool. Let cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely. Generously dust cookies with the powdered sugar mixture, ensuring they are well-coated.

Notes

Refrigerating the dough is crucial to prevent spreading and to achieve the signature crinkle appearance.
If you prefer a thicker powdered sugar coating, include the cornstarch in the dusting mixture.
Substitute ube extract with purple food coloring and complementary flavoring if ube extract is unavailable.
Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 5 days.

Keywords: purple crinkle cookies, ube cookies, crinkle cookies, Filipino dessert, baked cookies, vibrant cookies, powdered sugar cookies