Ginger Cookies are a holiday treat tradition at our house. These ones are soft, chewy crinkles, made with molasses and rolled in sugar before baking. We love these little crinkles and I always include them in our cookie rotation.
The History of Ginger Cookies
Gingerbread cookies became popular in the 1600s when Queen Elizabeth 1 had them made and decorated to look like people. The gingerbread house originated in Germany in the 1800s, inspired by, or the inspiration for, the Grimm's fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. Here's the complete rundown on the long history of this cookie: The History of Gingerbread
What's the Difference between Ginger Crinkles and Ginger Snaps?
Ginger Snaps and Ginger Crinkles are basically the same recipes. The difference is a longer baking time for Ginger Snaps, giving them a crisper "snap", while ginger crinkles have a softer, chewier texture. Both are delicious and it's just a matter of personal preference.
Types of Cookies
These ginger cookies are a drop cookie. Although there are endless cookie recipes, they all fall into one of the four basic types. I have included example recipes from some of my talented blogger friends. The four types are:
Cutout cookies
The dough is rolled and cut into shapes before baking. Some examples:
- Cranberry Walnut Shortbread Cookies
- Gingerbread Cookies For Christmas
- Gluten-Free Ginger Bread Cookies
- Traditional Shortbread Cookies
- Ciambelline Sarde (Sardinian Sandwich Cookies)
- Raspberry Linzer Cookies
Sliced cookies
Cookie dough is rolled into a log, and then sliced before baking, like these:
Drop cookies
This is a wetter dough, which is spooned onto baking sheets or rolled into balls before baking. Here are some yummy examples:
- Double Chocolate Cranberry Cookies
- Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies
- Italian Chocolate Spice Cookies
- Toasted Hazelnut Meringue Cookies
- Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Salted Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
- Triple Chocolate Meringue Cookies
- Lemon Sugar Cookies
Piped cookies
These are made using a piping bag or cookie press, like these:
How to Store Ginger Cookies
After baking, cool the cookies completely and store them in an airtight container. They will keep for up to a week (but I promise they won't last that long). Alternatively, you can freeze the ginger cookies for up to three months. Pre freeze them in a single layer before packing in airtight freezer containers or bags.
Tips for Cookie Success
Cookie making is easy, but preparation and patience will ensure success with any recipe
Before starting:
- Read through the recipe completely to be sure you have everything that you need, including ingredients, equipment, and time.
- Have eggs and butter at room temperature.
- Have all ingredients and equipment out and ready
- Preheat oven
- Prepare baking sheets
While Preparing:
- Use dry dry ingredient measuring cups for dry ingredients and liquid ingredient measuring cups for liquids.
- Measure ingredients precisely, levelling them.
- Space cookies well apart on a baking sheet to allow for spreading
- Set the oven timer for a couple of minutes before the recommended time to check for doneness. This allows for variable oven temperatures.
- Use cold baking sheets to prevent excessive spreading.
After Baking:
-
- Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool.
- Allow cookies to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container.
Ginger Cookies (Chewy Crinkles)
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- dry measuring cups
- liquid measuring cups
- baking sheets
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter unsalted
- ½ cup molasses
- 2 ¾ cup all purpose flour
- 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 egg large, beaten
- granulated sugar for rolling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325° Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper, or spray with cooking spray
- In a small sauce pan over low heat, melt butter and molasses together. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely
- In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves
- Add cooled molasses / butter mixture and the beaten egg
- Mix well. Dough will be crumbly
- Shape the dough into 2" balls.
- Roll each ball in sugar before placing them, equally spaced on prepared baking sheets
- Flatten each ball slightly with the back of a spoon
- Bake in center of oven 10-12 minutes
- Transfer to wire racks and allow to cool completely
Notes
Nutrition
Carlyn Daniels
HI there - what replacement can i use for Molasses? thank you
Colleen
Hi Carlyn, you could try honey or corn syrup, but molasses is a key ingredient for these ginger cookies, so I can't vouch for how they will turn out. Good luck, and I would love to hear back how it went!
Terri
I have fallen in love with ginger and gingerbread things over the last 5+ years so these look super delicious! Thanks for explaining the difference between ginger crinkles and ginger snaps!
Colleen
You're welcome Terri! Enjoy ♥
Trish
Ginger cookies are my favorite holiday cookies! Love that these are so fat and chewy! They look delish.
Colleen
These cookies are so good, Trish, hope you give them a try!~
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I love chewy ginger cookies! Thanks so much for sharing your Ginger Cookies recipe, Colleen. They look delicious and they make such a great edible gift. Many thanks also for including my Holiday Pinwheel Biscotti in your Cookie list. That was a delightful surprise. Happy holidays!
Colleen
Thanks so much, Denise. Happy Holidays to you, too.
JustineCelina
These look so yummy, Colleen -- and I love the simple ingredients list, too. Wishing you a happy holiday season!
Colleen
Thanks Justine! Happy Holidays to you, too!
Joss
Mmmm can't wait to bite into these!
Colleen
Enjoy, they are delicious!
Leanne
Ginger cookies are at the top of my baking list every year. It's the one cookie my husband requests. I'll have to give your recipe a try. The crinkly top and chewy texture is perfect!
Colleen
Thanks, Leanne. I hope you & your hubby love them!
Vanessa
Chewy ginger cookies are the best type in my opinion😁. Thanks for the great recipe!
Colleen
You're welcome, Vanessa. Enjoy!
Jeff the Chef
I love Ginger cookies! Thanks for the recipe.
Colleen
You're welcome, Jeff! Enjoy your cookies 😀
Neha
These cookies look super chewy and crinkly. Just the way I like gingerbread cookies, yum!
Colleen
You're going to love these cookies, then, Neha!
Irina
Your cookie recipe is going to my recipe collection to make during this holiday season. Thanks for sharing! YUMMY AND DELICIOUS!
Colleen
You're so welcome, Irina!
Anita
Sometimes I love crunchy cookies, and sometimes melt-in-your mouth, and sometimes chewy. This chewy crinkles fits the bill when I'm in the mood for some chewy cookies, and ginger is just perfect for Christmas. 🙂
Colleen
Anita, I'm with you, I love them all! And these crinkles are perfect for Christmas. Enjoy!
Krissy Allori
These are so good. I have always preferred chewy gingerbread cookies. Great flavor.
Colleen
So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Krissy!