Introduction
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a perfect combination of festive flavors and a delightful, crackled appearance. These cookies feature a soft, chewy texture with the warmth of spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, paired with the deep richness of molasses. As the cookies bake, the dough cracks and forms a beautiful crinkled surface that’s dusted with powdered sugar, making them a perfect addition to your holiday cookie collection.
Whether you’re baking for family gatherings, holiday parties, or gifting to friends, Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies will bring holiday cheer to everyone who takes a bite. These cookies not only taste incredible, but their festive look and comforting flavor make them a beloved treat during the holiday season.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of making Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, provide tips for getting the perfect texture, and offer suggestions for variations and storage. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these delicious and easy-to-make cookies!
Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Perfect Holiday Flavor
The combination of spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg provides a warm, aromatic flavor that perfectly captures the essence of the holiday season. The addition of molasses enhances the richness and depth of the flavor, creating a comforting treat that is hard to resist.
Crinkled Texture
The signature crinkle on these cookies isn’t just for show—it also adds a delightful texture contrast. The outside is slightly crisp with a sugar coating, while the inside remains soft, chewy, and full of holiday flavors.
Easy to Make
Despite their elegant look, Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are relatively simple to prepare. The dough comes together quickly, and with a little chill time, the cookies bake in just 10-12 minutes, making them an accessible choice for both experienced bakers and beginners.
Customizable
Feel free to tweak the recipe to suit your preferences. You can adjust the spice levels, add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts, or even experiment with flavored sugars for the rolling process. This recipe is highly adaptable, so you can make it your own.
Great for Gifting and Sharing
These cookies are perfect for holiday gifting or sharing at family gatherings. Their beautiful crinkle effect and delicious flavor will surely delight anyone who receives them.
Preparation and Cooking Time
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
- Servings: Approximately 24-30 cookies (adjustable)
- Calories per Serving: Approximately 120-150 calories per cookie, depending on size.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
- Calories: 120-150 kcal
- Fat: 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: 18-20g
- Protein: 1g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 10-12g
Ingredients
- Flour: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Spices: 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Butter: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- Molasses: ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
- Egg: 1 large egg
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer or beat by hand until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. The butter should be at room temperature to ensure a smooth creaming process.
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed until everything is well combined. The molasses gives the cookies their rich color and flavor, while the egg binds the dough.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing in about ½ cup at a time. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Stir until the dough is fully combined and no dry flour remains.
2. Chill the Dough
Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
3. Roll the Dough
After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Prepare two shallow bowls: one with granulated sugar and the other with powdered sugar. Take the chilled dough and roll it into 1-inch balls, either by hand or using a cookie scoop. Roll each dough ball first in the granulated sugar, then in the powdered sugar. The powdered sugar is key to creating the crinkled effect as the cookies bake.
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly during baking, so be sure to leave enough space for them to expand.
4. Bake the Cookies
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should look puffed up with cracks forming on the surface. Don’t overbake them; the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. When done, the edges should be set, and the center should still be soft.
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Serve and Enjoy
Once the Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies have cooled, they are ready to be served! These cookies are perfect for a holiday treat, whether you enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa, share them with friends and family, or pack them up as a festive gift.
Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Chill the Dough
Be sure to chill the dough before baking. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and ensures they won’t spread too much.
Use Fresh Spices
Freshly ground spices will give your cookies a more intense and vibrant flavor. If possible, grind your own cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
Don’t Overbake
Watch the cookies carefully as they bake. They are done when they have a crackled appearance, and the edges are set while the center remains slightly soft. The cookies will continue to cook as they cool.
Customize the Flavor
You can experiment with the spices to suit your personal preference. For example, add more ginger for extra warmth, or try a pinch of allspice for added complexity.
Use Quality Molasses
Opt for unsulfured molasses for a sweeter and less bitter flavor. Molasses is a key ingredient that gives these cookies their distinct taste, so using high-quality molasses makes a difference.
Variations of Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Chocolate-Dipped Gingerbread Crinkles
For an extra indulgent treat, melt dark or milk chocolate and dip half of each cookie in it. Allow the chocolate to set before serving.
Spiced Rum Gingerbread Crinkles
For an adult twist, add 1 tablespoon of dark rum to the dough to enhance the holiday flavors and add a touch of richness.
White Chocolate Gingerbread Crinkles
Incorporate white chocolate chips into the dough for a creamy, sweet contrast to the spicy gingerbread flavor.
Cranberry Gingerbread Crinkles
Add a handful of dried cranberries to the dough for a tart and colorful twist that pairs well with the warm spices.
Storage and Shelf Life
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you’d like to keep them for a longer period, store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. To freeze the cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
To enjoy frozen cookies, simply let them thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes. They’ll taste as fresh as when they were first baked.
Side Dishes That Pair Well with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
While Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are perfect on their own, they can be paired with a variety of festive drinks and sides to complete your holiday experience:
- Eggnog: A rich and creamy classic holiday drink, eggnog complements the spiciness of the gingerbread cookies beautifully.
- Hot Chocolate: Serve with a mug of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows for the ultimate cozy treat.
- Vanilla Ice Cream: Pair a warm Gingerbread Crinkle Cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious contrast of temperatures and textures.
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Description
These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a festive treat, combining the warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with a soft, chewy texture. Rolled in powdered sugar before baking, they form a beautiful crinkle pattern that gives each cookie a delightful crunch on the outside, while staying soft and flavorful inside. Perfect for holiday baking!
Ingredients
- Flour: 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Spices: 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Butter: ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Brown Sugar: 1 cup packed light brown sugar
- Molasses: ¼ cup unsulfured molasses
- Egg: 1 large egg
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
- Powdered Sugar: ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
Start by whisking the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Whisk these ingredients together to ensure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar. Use an electric mixer or beat by hand until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. The butter should be at room temperature to ensure a smooth creaming process.
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat on low speed until everything is well combined. The molasses gives the cookies their rich color and flavor, while the egg binds the dough.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing in about ½ cup at a time. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough. Stir until the dough is fully combined and no dry flour remains.
Once the dough is mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. Place the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough allows the flavors to meld and helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent the cookies from sticking.
Prepare two shallow bowls: one with granulated sugar and the other with powdered sugar. Take the chilled dough and roll it into 1-inch balls, either by hand or using a cookie scoop. Roll each dough ball first in the granulated sugar, then in the powdered sugar. The powdered sugar is key to creating the crinkled effect as the cookies bake.
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart. The cookies will spread slightly during baking, so be sure to leave enough space for them to expand.
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The cookies should look puffed up with cracks forming on the surface. Don’t overbake them; the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool. When done, the edges should be set, and the center should still be soft.
Once the cookies are done, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. Afterward, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies have cooled, they are ready to be served! These cookies are perfect for a holiday treat, whether you enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa, share them with friends and family, or pack them up as a festive gift.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chilling Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 120-150 kcal
- Fat: 6-8g
- Carbohydrates: 18-20g
- Protein: 1g
Conclusion
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a quintessential holiday treat, combining rich spices, molasses, and a soft, chewy center with a beautifully cracked exterior. They are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for sharing with loved ones or gifting during the holidays.
By following this guide, you’ll be able to create a batch of these festive cookies that will be the star of your holiday baking. Whether you enjoy them with a hot drink or as a sweet gift for someone special, Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are sure to bring warmth and joy to your holiday celebrations. Happy baking!
