Picture this: a cozy evening, a warm mug of cocoa, and the sweet, spicy aroma of freshly baked cookies filling your home. Sounds dreamy, right? Well, get ready to make that dream a delicious reality with our incredible Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies! These aren’t just any cookies; they’re a symphony of festive flavors, a delightful dance of soft chewiness, and that signature crinkled charm that makes them absolutely irresistible. Forget boring, welcome to the world of perfectly spiced, wonderfully textured, and utterly enchanting Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies that are destined to become your new holiday (or any day!) favorite.

Get ready to unleash your inner baking superstar and fill your kitchen with the joyous scent of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies is straightforward, fun, and promises a batch of cookies that look as good as they taste. Let’s dive into creating some magic!

Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

There are countless reasons to fall head over heels for these charming Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, but we’ve narrowed it down to four irresistible points that will have you preheating your oven in no time:

Irresistible Flavor Profile: These cookies burst with the classic, comforting spices of gingerbread – warm ginger, cozy cinnamon, rich cloves, and a hint of nutmeg, all perfectly balanced with the deep sweetness of molasses. It’s a flavor hug in every bite!
Perfect Crinkly Texture: The magic of the double sugar roll creates a stunning visual appeal and a delightful textural contrast. You get a slightly crisp exterior giving way to a wonderfully soft, chewy, and tender interior. That signature crinkle is pure joy!
Holiday Cheer (Any Time!): While often associated with the festive season, these Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies bring warmth and joy year-round. Their inviting aroma and comforting taste make any day feel a little more special and celebratory.
Easy and Rewarding to Make: With clear, step-by-step instructions, this recipe is incredibly approachable for bakers of all skill levels. The dough is easy to handle, and the results are consistently stunning, making it a truly satisfying baking experience.

Ingredients for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Gather your pantry essentials, and let’s get ready to bake these delightful Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies! Here’s everything you’ll need:

🌾 2 ¼ cups 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
🧈 ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
🍚 1 cup granulated sugar
🍯 ¼ cup molasses
🥚 1 large egg
🍦 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
🍚 ½ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
❄️ ½ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)

Detailed Directions: How to Make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Get ready for a fun and rewarding baking adventure! Follow these steps closely to create your perfect batch of Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies:

Harmonize Your Dry Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, begin by whisking together your all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Whisk gently until everything is beautifully combined and uniform. This ensures an even distribution of those wonderful spices throughout your cookies. Set this aromatic blend aside.
Creamy Butter and Sugar Magic: Grab a large mixing bowl and your electric mixer. Add the softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat them together on medium speed for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the mixture transforms into a wonderfully light, fluffy, and pale yellow cream. This step is crucial for incorporating air, which helps make your cookies tender.
Introduce the Wet Wonders: Now, pour in the rich molasses, crack in your large egg, and add the pure vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Continue beating until all these wet ingredients are smoothly and thoroughly blended into the mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is incorporated.
Marry Dry with Wet (Gently!): It’s time to bring our two mixtures together! Gradually add your prepared dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Mix slowly, either with your electric mixer on low speed or a sturdy spatula, until the flour streaks have just disappeared. The key here is to avoid overmixing, which can lead to tough cookies. Mix just until combined!
The Chill Factor: Cover your dough tightly with plastic wrap and pop it into the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This chilling period is not just for ease of handling; it allows the flavors to deepen and the butter to firm up, preventing excessive spreading during baking and contributing to that perfect crinkle!
Oven Prep and Pan Lining: While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper – this will prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Roll into Sugary Perfection: Once your dough is nicely chilled, scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough. Gently roll each scoop into a neat, uniform ball. For that signature crinkle, roll each dough ball first in the ½ cup of granulated sugar (this creates the base for the crinkle!), then generously coat it in the ½ cup of powdered sugar. Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar!
Bake to Crinkly Glory: Place your perfectly sugared dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, ensuring you leave about 2 inches between each one to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look set but the centers are still delightfully soft and slightly puffy. Remember, these Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies continue to set as they cool, so don’t overbake if you want them wonderfully chewy!
Cool Down and Indulge: Let these festive cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes. This helps them firm up a bit before you move them. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cooled, it’s time to enjoy your homemade, healthy-ish treats!

Presenting and Serving Your Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

These beautiful Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a feast for the eyes and the palate, so let’s make their presentation as delightful as their taste! Here are a few ideas:

Classic Cookie Platter: Arrange them on a festive platter with other holiday treats or a simple plate for everyday enjoyment. The powdered sugar crinkles make them inherently elegant.
Gifting Goodness: Stack them artfully in a clear cellophane bag tied with a ribbon, or place them in a decorative tin. They make a wonderfully personal and delicious gift for friends, family, or neighbors during any season.
Dessert Bar Star: If you’re hosting a gathering, these cookies are a must-have for any dessert bar. Their unique look and beloved flavor will make them a standout amongst other sweets.
Warm Beverage Companion: Serve them alongside a steaming mug of coffee, hot cocoa, chai latte, or a spiced tea. The warmth of the drink perfectly complements the spiced cookie.
Ice Cream Sandwich Twist: For an extra decadent treat, try gently pressing softened vanilla or ginger ice cream between two cookies for an unforgettable dessert sandwich.
Breakfast Treat (We Won’t Tell!): Enjoy one with your morning coffee for a little pick-me-up. After all, a little spice never hurt anyone!

Storing Your Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

To keep your delicious Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies fresh and chewy for as long as possible, proper storage is key:

At Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay wonderfully fresh and chewy for up to 5-7 days. To maintain softness, you can place a slice of bread (that you won’t eat) in the container; the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread.
Freezing Baked Cookies: For longer storage, you can freeze the baked cookies. Place the fully cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze them for about 30 minutes. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag. They will keep well for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Freezing Cookie Dough: You can also prepare the dough balls and roll them in just the granulated sugar (skip the powdered sugar for now). Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, you can bake them directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time, and then roll them in powdered sugar just before baking. This dough can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

FAQs About Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Why didn’t my Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies crinkle?
The crinkle effect comes primarily from the double sugar coating and the dough chilling. Ensure your dough is thoroughly chilled for at least an hour, and generously coat each ball first in granulated sugar, then powdered sugar. If the dough is too warm, it might spread too quickly before the crinkle can form.
Can I use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar in the dough?
While granulated sugar is specified, a mix of granulated and light brown sugar (e.g., ½ cup granulated, ½ cup light brown) can add an even chewier texture and deeper molasses notes to your Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies.
What kind of molasses should I use?
Unsulphured light or dark molasses is best for these cookies. Blackstrap molasses is too strong and can make the cookies bitter.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be made up to 2-3 days in advance and stored tightly covered in the refrigerator. In fact, chilling the dough overnight can enhance the flavors even more!
My cookies spread too much. What went wrong?
Common culprits for spreading include butter that was too soft or melted, not chilling the dough long enough, or an oven that isn’t at the correct temperature. Ensure your butter is softened but not greasy, and the dough is properly chilled.
Can I add chocolate chips or other mix-ins?
Yes, you can! White chocolate chips or finely chopped candied ginger would be delicious additions to these Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies. Fold them in with the dry ingredients.
How do I know when the cookies are fully baked?
The cookies are done when the edges are set and lightly golden, but the centers still look soft and slightly puffy. They will firm up as they cool, so resist the urge to overbake if you want them chewy.
What if I don’t have all the specified spices?
While the blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg creates the classic gingerbread flavor, you can get away with just ginger and cinnamon if absolutely necessary. However, for the best result, try to use all the spices listed. A pre-made gingerbread spice blend can also work in a pinch.
Are these good for gifting?
These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are perfect for gifting! Their beautiful appearance and delicious flavor make them a welcome treat for any occasion. Package them in a nice tin or bag.
Can I make a double batch of the recipe?
Yes, you can easily double this recipe for a larger crowd or for more cookies to share (or hoard!). Just ensure you have large enough bowls and possibly bake in batches if your oven isn’t large enough for multiple trays at once.

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies 🍪

A classic holiday treat, these Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with warm spices. Perfect for festive gatherings, they feature a delightful powdered sugar coating that creates beautiful crinkles when baked.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 10

Chilling Time 1

Total Time 35

Servings 24 cookies

Calories 165 kcal

Equipment

Mixing Bowls
Baking Sheets
Wire Rack

Ingredients

For the Cookies

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Rolling

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

First, in a medium-sized bowl, gently whisk together your flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until they are well combined. Set this wholesome dry mixture aside for now.
In a separate, large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture becomes wonderfully light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes.
Next, add the rich molasses, the large egg, and the natural vanilla extract to the butter mixture, beating until everything is smoothly blended together.
Gradually add your prepared dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing slowly until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep your cookies tender!
Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This step is key for enhancing flavors and making the dough easy to handle!
While your dough is chilling, preheat your oven to a cozy 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Once chilled, scoop out rounded tablespoons of dough and gently roll them into neat balls. For that perfect crinkle, roll each ball first in the ½ cup of granulated sugar, then generously coat it in the ½ cup of powdered sugar.
Place your sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each one. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers are still delightfully soft. Don't overbake to keep them chewy!
Let these festive cookies cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, it’s time to enjoy your homemade, healthy-ish treats!

Notes

Enjoy these homemade, healthy-ish treats!

Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 165
Total Carbs: 27g (Net Carbs: 27g)
Fats: 6g
Protein: 2g

Delicious Easy Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Recipe