Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies (Printer-friendly)
Soft spiced cookies with molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. Rolled in powdered sugar for a festive crinkle effect.
# What you'll need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tsp baking soda
03 - 2 tsp ground ginger
04 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 tsp ground cloves
06 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 tsp salt
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
09 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
10 - 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
→ For Rolling
13 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
# Method:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl until evenly blended.
02 - Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
03 - Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until completely smooth and incorporated.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined and a uniform dough forms.
05 - Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough and roll each into a smooth ball.
08 - Roll each ball first in granulated sugar, then generously coat with powdered sugar until fully covered.
09 - Place the sugar-coated balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
10 - Bake for 10–12 minutes until cookies are set but still slightly soft in the center.
11 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These cookies stay soft and chewy for days, unlike so many gingerbread that turn into rocks overnight
- The double sugar coating creates that stunning crinkle effect while sealing in moisture
02 -
- Chilling the dough is absolutely mandatory—the cookies will spread into flat puddles without it
- The powdered sugar needs to be applied generously because it's what creates those signature cracks
03 -
- Room temperature butter creates the best texture—microwave butter in 10 second bursts if you forgot to set it out
- For extra warmth, add a pinch of black pepper to the spice blend like traditional German gingerbread