If you have a soft spot for cookies that taste like pure indulgence, then you absolutely must try this Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe. These cookies bring together the buttery richness of classic cookie dough with an irresistibly creamy frosting and a fun dollop of edible cookie dough on top that just melts in your mouth. Every bite is like a celebration of textures and flavors—the tender cookie base, the sweet and fluffy frosting, and those delightful speckles of mini chocolate chips that add the perfect touch. Whether you want a crowd-pleasing dessert or just a sweet treat to brighten your day, this recipe is a downright winner you’ll want to keep coming back to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for the Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe is simple but crucial to achieving that perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each element plays its part, from the creamy butter and sugars that create moistness and sweetness, to the flour and cornstarch that keep the cookies tender yet sturdy enough to hold all the goodness together.
- Salted butter (1 cup + ¾ cup, room temperature): Provides rich flavor and a soft, chewy texture that’s essential for fantastic cookies.
- Light brown sugar (1 ¼ cups + ¾ cup, packed): Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note that deepens the cookie’s flavor.
- Granulated sugar (½ cup): Balances the sweetness and helps with the cookie’s structure and slight crispness at the edges.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Bind everything together and contribute to the cookies’ tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract (1 tbsp + 1 ½ tsp): A quality vanilla enhances every sweet bite with warm, aromatic undertones.
- Molasses (2 tsp): Adds depth and a hint of complexity reminiscent of old-fashioned cookies.
- Unbleached all-purpose flour (3 ½ cups + ½ cup heat-treated): The foundation of the cookie dough and frosting, ensuring a soft yet sturdy texture.
- Cornstarch (2 tsp): Keeps the cookies tender and gives them that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- Baking powder (2 tsp): Helps the cookies rise just enough for a light, fluffy texture.
- Kosher salt (1 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors perfectly.
- Water (2 tsp, high altitude only): Used to adjust dough consistency when baking at high altitudes.
- Powdered sugar (1 cup): Creates the silky smooth frosting that’s light and irresistible.
- Half and half or whole milk (2-3 tbsp): Gives the frosting that perfect creamy consistency.
- Mini chocolate chips (¼ cup): Sprinkled on top to add texture and bursts of chocolate joy.
- Edible cookie dough (½ batch or store-bought): Placed atop the cookies for an extra dose of decadence and fun.
- Pinch of sea salt: A finishing touch to highlight the sweetness and add contrast in the frosting.
How to Make Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Edible Cookie Dough (If Homemade)
Start by making your edible cookie dough if you’re not using store-bought. Shape it into small balls, slightly bigger than a pea, and freeze these until you’re ready to decorate. This chilling step helps maintain their shape and texture when added on top.
Step 2: Preheat and Heat-Treat Flour
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line three baking sheets with parchment paper. Don’t forget to heat-treat your flour for the frosting—spread it on a plate and microwave until it reaches 165°F. This step makes the frosting safe to eat and ensures that lovely smooth texture.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a mixer with a paddle attachment or with a hand mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for a full 4 minutes at medium-high speed. This air incorporation is what makes your cookies beautifully fluffy and moist.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Molasses, and Vanilla
Scrape down the bowl, then add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Next, mix in the molasses and vanilla extract, which contribute nuanced sweetness and the signature flavor that’s unmistakably Crumbl.
Step 5: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, baking powder, and cornstarch. Gradually add this mixture into your wet ingredients on low speed to avoid overmixing—overworked dough means tougher cookies, which is the last thing we want!
Step 6: Shape and Flatten the Cookie Dough
Using a #16 scoop or about ¼ cup, portion the dough into balls and place on your sheets. Flatten each gently with the bottom of a glass or measuring cup dipped in flour. Aim for about ½ inch thick so they bake evenly and stay soft inside.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake the cookies for 8 to 12 minutes. Watch closely as they puff up and spread but resist the urge to let them turn golden brown. The goal is tender, chewy cookies, so pull them just before the edges get too dark.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the pan 10 minutes to set, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully. Cooling completely is key to the next step, so your frosting won’t melt and become a gooey mess.
Step 9: Make the Cookie Dough Frosting
With the mixer on medium-high, beat softened butter until fluffy. Add brown sugar and continue whipping, scraping sides frequently. Then mix in the heat-treated flour, followed by powdered sugar and vanilla. Slowly add half and half until the frosting is light, creamy, and spreads easily, finishing off with a pinch of sea salt for balance.
Step 10: Frost and Decorate
Pipe or spread a generous spiral of frosting onto each cooled cookie. Top with mini chocolate chips and 2–3 frozen edible cookie dough balls for that signature Crumbl charm. For a final flourish, create swirls on the frosting’s surface with a spoon to add visual delight.
How to Serve Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle extra mini chocolate chips or a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt atop your frosted cookies for a contrasting crunch and flavor pop that will keep everyone reaching for just one more.
Side Dishes
Pair these treats with a cold glass of milk, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or even a cup of rich coffee or hot chocolate to create a dessert spread that feels both cozy and decadent.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or gifts, stack the cookies in a clear jar layered with wax paper or use decorative cupcake liners to hold each cookie. You can even arrange them on a charcuterie board next to nuts, fruit, and chocolate for an impressive sweet-and-savory display.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your cookies stored in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Chilling can actually improve their texture, making the frosting firmer and the cookie base chewier.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, freeze the baked cookies without frosting. Store them in a single layer on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready, thaw and frost freshly for best results.
Reheating
Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to revive softness before frosting. Avoid heating once frosted to keep that delightful frosting texture intact.
FAQs
Can I use regular all-purpose flour instead of unbleached?
Yes! Regular all-purpose flour works just fine, but unbleached flour tends to give a slightly better texture and flavor depth in cookies.
Is it necessary to heat-treat the flour for the frosting?
Yes, this step is important for safety since the frosting uses raw flour. Heating kills any bacteria that might be present, making it safe to eat just as you would edible cookie dough.
Can I skip the molasses if I don’t have any?
You can, but molasses adds a rich character to these cookies. If skipping, consider a small drizzle of honey or a touch more vanilla to maintain the depth of flavor.
Why do the cookies need to be chilled before serving?
Chilling helps set the frosting so it holds its shape and creates the perfect texture contrast between the cold frosting and soft cookie beneath, just like Crumbl’s signature style.
Can I make these cookies vegan or dairy-free?
This recipe is not naturally vegan due to butter and eggs, but you can experiment with plant-based butters and egg substitutes—just expect a difference in texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe that turns everyday cookie cravings into an extraordinary experience. From the soft, buttery cookie to the dreamy frosting topped with edible cookie dough bites, these cookies bring joy and comfort in every bite. I wholeheartedly encourage you to give this recipe a go—you might just find it becoming your new favorite sweet treat to share and savor.
Print
Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15 cookies
Description
These Crumbl Cookie Dough Cookies are a delightful treat combining soft, chewy sugar cookies with a luscious edible cookie dough frosting topped with mini chocolate chips. Perfectly baked to maintain a tender texture with a rich, creamy frosting that mimics classic Crumbl flavors, these cookies are best chilled before serving to enhance their flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup salted butter (room temperature, 232g)
- 1 ¼ cups light brown sugar (packed, 212g) (reduce to 1 cup (167g) for high altitude)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (115 g white sugar or 120 g all-natural cane sugar)
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (real or vanilla bean paste)
- 2 teaspoons molasses
- 3 ½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour (+ 2 tablespoons for high altitude, spoon and leveled)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons baking powder (reduce to 1 ½ teaspoons for high altitude)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons water (high altitude only)
Cookie Dough Frosting
- ¾ cup salted butter (room temperature, 167g)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar (packed, fresh, not organic)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated and cooled)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2–3 tablespoons half and half (or whole milk or cream)
- Pinch sea salt
Toppings
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (for sprinkling)
- 1/2 batch of edible cookie dough (either homemade or store-bought), rolled into pea-sized balls and frozen
Instructions
- Prepare Edible Cookie Dough Balls: If making your own topping, prepare the edible cookie dough, pinch into tiny balls slightly larger than a pea, place on a tray, and freeze until ready to use.
- Heat-Treat Flour for Frosting: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the flour for the frosting on a microwave-safe plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway, until it reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Line three baking sheets with parchment paper and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a stand mixer or large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar for 4 minutes on medium-high speed, scraping down sides once.
- Add Eggs: Scrape sides, add eggs one at a time, mixing on medium speed for 60 seconds after each addition.
- Add Flavorings: Mix in molasses and vanilla extract until evenly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and cornstarch until well combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients to Wet: With mixer on low, add the flour mixture ⅓ cup at a time, mixing just until combined each time.
- Form and Flatten Cookies: Using a #16 cookie scoop (~¼ cup), scoop dough, roll into balls, and place 5-6 per baking sheet. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a floured flat measuring cup or glass to about ½ inch thickness.
- Bake Cookies: Bake at 350°F for 8 to 12 minutes until cookies spread slightly and puff but before they turn golden. Remove promptly to avoid overbaking.
- Cool Cookies: Let cookies cool on the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
- Make Frosting: Beat butter in a stand mixer until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Add brown sugar and beat for 4 minutes, scraping down sides twice.
- Add Flour to Frosting: Turn mixer to low and blend in the cooled, heat-treated flour just until combined.
- Add Powdered Sugar and Vanilla: With mixer on low, incorporate powdered sugar, then add vanilla extract.
- Add Cream and Whip Frosting: Gradually add half and half or cream until frosting is light and fluffy. Add a pinch of salt, increase speed to medium-high, and whip for 3-4 minutes, scraping as needed.
- Frost Cookies and Add Toppings: Pipe or spread frosting on each cookie, create swirls with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and place 3 mini edible cookie dough balls on top.
- Chill Before Serving: For best results, chill the frosted cookies in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving. They can also be enjoyed immediately if preferred.
Notes
- Heat-treating the flour for the frosting is essential to make the cookie dough edible and safe to eat.
- For high altitude baking, reduce brown sugar and baking powder quantities as noted, and add water to dough if needed.
- Do not overbake cookies; remove when edges are set but centers still soft.
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and texture.
- Cookies are best served chilled to mimic the texture and taste of Crumbl cookies.
- Store leftover cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
