The Coziest Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Recipe for Winter Joy

Crisp winter memories swirl around these delightful gingerbread crinkle cookies that capture festive magic in every delectable bite.

Some baking moments feel like pure enchantment, especially when spices dance through your kitchen.

Powdered sugar cascades over deep brown surfaces, creating magical cracks that hint at warmth inside.

Rich molasses and deep ginger notes whisper stories of cozy afternoons and sweet traditions.

Pulling these stunning treats from the oven, watching sugar sparkle like fresh snow.

Warm spices embrace each cookie, promising comfort and joy in every crumbly, tender morsel.

You can practically hear holiday melodies playing as these beauties cool on the rack—irresistible and beckoning.

Best Tips for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours to prevent spreading and enhance the rich, spicy flavor of the cookies.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll cookies generously in both granulated and powdered sugar for that classic crinkle effect and extra sweet crunch.
• Spice Customization: Adjust the spice blend to your taste by increasing or decreasing ginger, cinnamon, or adding a pinch of cardamom for depth.
• Moisture Control: Don't overbake – cookies should look slightly soft in the center to maintain a soft, chewy texture when cooled.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator for convenient baking whenever you're ready.

Keeping Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Fresh and Soft

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. They'll stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze: Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, placing wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months for future enjoyment.
• Thaw: Remove frozen cookies from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to maintain texture.
• Revive: Warm cookies briefly in a preheated 300F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, slightly crisp edges and enhance the warm spice flavors.

What Tastes Great with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Complement the gingerbread's rich, warm spices with a creamy chai tea that echoes the cookie's cinnamon and ginger notes, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
• Match with Caramel Hot Chocolate: The deep molasses undertones of the cookies blend perfectly with a velvety caramel hot chocolate, enhancing the dessert's sweet and cozy profile.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: The cool, creamy vanilla provides a delightful contrast to the warm, spicy cookies, balancing the intense flavors and offering a luxurious texture combination.
• Enjoy with Mulled Wine: A glass of spiced mulled wine brings out the cookie's holiday spirit, with its own warming spices and slight sweetness complementing the gingerbread's robust character.

Fun Flavors to Try in Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Spiced Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix in 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips for a rich, decadent version that enhances the classic gingerbread flavor profile.
• Nutty Ginger Crinkle Cookies: Fold 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough before chilling, creating a crunchy texture and nutty undertone that complements the warm spices.
• Orange Zest Gingerbread Cookies: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of fresh orange zest into the wet ingredients to brighten the cookie's flavor and add a citrusy notes that balance the deep molasses and spice.
• Gluten-Free Gingerbread Crinkles: Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum to ensure the same chewy texture and delicious spiced taste for those with dietary restrictions.

FAQs for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Why do I need to refrigerate the dough for 2 hours?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and allows the spices to blend, creating a more intense flavor. It also makes the dough easier to handle and roll into balls.

• Can I substitute the spices if I don't have all of them?

While the specific spice blend gives gingerbread cookies their signature taste, you can modify slightly. If you’re missing one spice, just increase another or use pumpkin pie spice as a replacement.

• What makes the cookies have that crackled top?

The powdered sugar coating and the baking process create the beautiful crackle effect. When the cookies bake, the powdered sugar cracks, revealing the dark cookie underneath, which gives them their distinctive crinkle appearance.

• How do I know the cookies are done baking?

Look for set edges and a crackled top. Even if the centers seem slightly soft, they’ll continue to firm up as they cool. The cookies should look slightly underbaked for that soft, chewy texture.

Why Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Are So Festive and Fun

• Capture Festive Warmth: These gingerbread crinkle cookies burst with cozy holiday spices that instantly transport you to a cheerful winter kitchen, creating a delightful sensory experience.
• Effortless Elegance: The simple rolling and coating technique transforms basic ingredients into stunning cookies with beautiful crackled tops, making you look like a professional baker without complex skills.
• Texture Sensation: Enjoy a perfect balance between soft, chewy centers and delicate crisp edges, dusted with a powdery sugar coating that melts deliciously in your mouth.
• Make-Ahead Magic: The dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated overnight, offering convenience for busy home bakers and allowing flexibility in baking schedules.

Everything You Need for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Base for cookie structure, provides texture and stability.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that give traditional gingerbread flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, chewy texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Butter: Adds richness and helps create soft cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar: Provides deep caramel-like sweetness and moisture.
• Molasses: Signature gingerbread flavor, dark and intense sweetener.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and deepens the overall flavor profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Creates signature crinkle effect and sweet outer layer, white sugars provide beautiful visual contrast.

How to Make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies from Scratch

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground ginger
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground cloves
• Ground nutmeg
• Baking soda
• Salt

Set this magical spice mixture aside for now.

Step 2: Create Creamy Butter Base

• Softened butter
• Brown sugar

Whip these together until they become light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes of mixing magic.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

• Molasses
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix until everything is perfectly combined and looks smooth.

Step 4: Combine Magical Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. The dough will feel slightly sticky – that’s totally normal!

Step 5: Chill The Dough

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and send it to the refrigerator. Let it rest and firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight. This helps develop those incredible gingerbread flavors.

Step 6: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit (175 Celsius). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 7: Shape Sugar-Coated Delights

• Granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

Make sure they’re generously coated for that classic crinkle look!

Step 8: Bake To Perfection

Place sugar-coated dough balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set and tops look beautifully crackled.

Step 9: Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. These festive treats are ready to melt hearts and taste buds!

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 27 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Festive winter magic sparkles in this gingerbread crinkle cookies recipe, where warm spices dance with sweet powdered sugar. Crisp exterior and tender interior invite hungry bakers to savor classic holiday comfort in one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup (60 ml) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Rolling Ingredients:

• ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
• ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar

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Instructions

1. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly blend the dry ingredients, creating a fragrant spice mixture that will infuse the cookies with warmth. Whisk the flour with aromatic ground ginger, rich cinnamon, pungent cloves, earthy nutmeg, leavening agent, and a pinch of salt until perfectly combined.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter with deep brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and voluminous. Incorporate the robust molasses, a single egg, and pure vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients meld into a harmonious batter.
3. Gently fold the dry spice mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just incorporated. The resulting dough will have a slightly tacky texture. Encase the bowl in plastic wrap and allow the mixture to rest and solidify in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours, allowing the flavors to develop and intensify.
4. Preheat the oven to 350F, creating a warm environment for baking. Prepare baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper or silicone mats to prevent sticking.
5. Extract tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled dough and roll them into perfect spheres. Create a two-stage coating process: first roll each ball in granulated sugar, then generously dust with powdered sugar, ensuring a complete and even coverage.
6. Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, positioning them with ample space between each cookie. Bake for 10-12 minutes, watching for the characteristic crackled surface and set edges while maintaining a slightly soft center.
7. After removing from the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes. This brief cooling period helps them stabilize. Carefully transfer the delicate cookies to a wire rack, letting them cool completely and develop their final texture.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and ensure a perfectly crackled texture, allowing the spices to meld and intensify their warm, rich flavors.
• Use freshly ground spices for an extra punch of flavor that will make these cookies truly memorable and aromatic.
• Swap out some flour with almond flour for a gluten-free version that maintains the cookie’s signature soft, chewy interior and crackled exterior.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to keep them soft and prevent them from drying out, maintaining their delightful texture for several days.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 25 mg