Soft Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats Everyone Will Love.

Enjoy the ultimate festive cookies with these gingerbread crinkles that combine cozy ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavors. The dough, packed with brown sugar, butter, and molasses, chills before being rolled in powdered sugar. While baking, they spread into perfect crackled beauties with a crisp exterior and soft, cakey middle. Just right for chilly nights and holiday gatherings!
Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:25:26 GMT
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Classic gingerbread meets soft cookie perfection in these irresistible crinkle cookies. Each bite features a tender, spiced interior wrapped in a delicate powdered sugar shell. The signature crackled surface creates an eye-catching design that makes these cookies as beautiful as they are delicious.

This cherished cookie recipe emerged from countless test batches during holiday baking season. The dramatic contrast between the snowy powdered sugar coating and rich spiced dough continues to delight both family and guests, making these cookies a seasonal favorite.

Key Ingredients

  • Unsalted Butter: Premium European-style butter provides ideal fat content for texture
  • Dark Brown Sugar: Creates deep molasses notes and retains moisture
  • Molasses: Standard variety adds color and chewiness
  • All-Purpose Flour: Spoon into measuring cups for accurate amounts
  • Ground Spices: Use fresh, aromatic spices for best flavor
  • Confectioners Sugar: Sift before using to ensure smooth coating

Baking Method

Initial Mixing
Allow butter to soften naturally before beginning. Cream until light, then blend in sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg and molasses carefully. Combine spices separately for even distribution.
Dough Development
Incorporate flour gradually just until combined. Dough should hold shape while remaining pliable. Chill thoroughly wrapped.
Cookie Formation
Work with chilled dough to form uniform balls. Coat thoroughly in sugar layers. Arrange with space for spreading.
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The aroma of these cookies fills the kitchen with memories of traditional holiday baking. Each batch connects past and present, creating a bridge between cherished family recipes and new traditions.

Perfect cooling technique ensures ideal texture. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet briefly before transferring. This step develops the characteristic crackled surface while maintaining tenderness.

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Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies | thefamilycooks.com

These cookies remain a treasured holiday staple, delivering consistent joy with each batch. Their perfect balance of spices and tender crumb creates an enduring seasonal favorite worth passing down through generations.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I need to chill the dough?
Yep, it keeps the cookies from spreading and makes the powdered sugar stick better.
→ Can the dough be frozen?
For sure! Shape into balls and freeze for up to 3 months. Roll in sugar just before baking.
→ What if my cookies don’t crackle?
Be sure the dough is really cold, and coat each piece generously in powdered sugar.
→ How should I store the cookies?
Use an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to five days.
→ Can I tweak the spices?
Absolutely! Add more or less ginger, cinnamon, or nutmeg to suit your taste.

Ginger Spice Crinkles

Delicate and chewy ginger cookies coated in powdered sugar with hints of warm spices, perfect for holiday cheer.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 20 cookies

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base

01 3/4 cup of softened salted butter
02 1 packed cup of brown sugar
03 1 egg, large
04 1/4 cup of molasses

→ Dry Ingredients

05 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
06 1 teaspoon of spicy nutmeg
07 2 1/2 cups of regular flour
08 1 teaspoon ginger powder
09 2 teaspoons of baking soda
10 1 cup of powdered sugar for coating at the end

Instructions

Step 01

Use a mixer to beat the butter with the brown sugar until it's nice and mixed

Step 02

Mix in the egg and molasses until it looks creamy

Step 03

Start adding the baking soda, spices, and gently stir in the flour a little at a time

Step 04

Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for 2 hours to firm up

Step 05

Shape the dough into balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and bake at 375°F for about 9-10 minutes

Tools You'll Need

  • Baking sheets
  • Electric mixer

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Wheat
  • Eggs
  • Dairy