Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies: A Festive Delight for the Holidays

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies bring all the warmth and nostalgia of the holiday season into a single bite. Made with cozy spices like cinnamon and ginger, molasses, and just the right amount of sweetness, these cookies are the perfect addition to your Christmas dessert spread. And the best part? They’re simple, fun to make, and guaranteed to impress both kids and adults!

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Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

There’s so much to adore about these cookies:

• Perfectly Balanced Flavor: A blend of warm spices and molasses creates a deeply rich and cozy taste.
• Festive Appearance: Their powdered sugar coating cracks as they bake, giving them that beautiful crinkled, snowy look.
• Quick and Easy: From prep to plate in just about 35 minutes!
• Make-Ahead Friendly: The dough freezes beautifully, so you can bake a batch whenever the craving strikes.

What Do Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Taste Like?

Imagine the comforting flavor of a classic gingerbread cookie, but with a softer, chewy texture. These cookies have a hint of sweetness from the powdered sugar and a bold, spiced aroma that will fill your kitchen as they bake. They’re truly Christmas in cookie form!

Ingredients for Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

To whip up a batch of these festive treats, you’ll need:

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar (150g)
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• ¾ cup molasses (70g)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour (375g)
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (4g)
• ½ tsp ground cloves (2g)
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg (2g)
• ½ tsp kosher salt (1g)
• ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)
• ¾ cup icing sugar for rolling

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls
• Wooden or rubber spatula
• Parchment paper
• Ice cream scoop (or spoon)
• Baking sheets
• Cooling rack

Ingredient Substitutions and Additions

• Butter: Replace with vegan butter for a dairy-free option.
• Molasses: Swap for dark corn syrup or maple syrup, though it will slightly alter the flavor.
• Spices: Feel free to add a pinch of allspice or cardamom for an extra kick.
• Sugar Coating: Roll the dough in granulated sugar first, then in icing sugar for a crisper crinkle effect.

How to Make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, mix the softened butter with packed dark brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and stir in the molasses.

Combine the Dry Ingredients:
In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and stir until combined.

Preheat and Prep:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper.

Form the Cookies:
Use an ice cream scoop to portion out the dough. Roll each piece into a ball.

Coat in Sugar:
Roll the dough balls in granulated sugar first, then generously coat them in icing sugar.

Chill the Dough:
Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheet and freeze for 20 minutes.

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Bake:
Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Once baked, let them cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

What to Serve with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

These cookies are delightful on their own, but they pair beautifully with:

• A hot cup of spiced chai or coffee
• Warm apple cider
• A scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat

Pro Tips for Perfect Crinkle Cookies

• Prevent Flattening: If your cookies spread too much, it could be due to overly soft butter or molasses. Freezing the dough helps prevent this.
• Double Sugar Coating: For that ultimate crinkle effect, roll the dough in granulated sugar first before the icing sugar.
• Measure Precisely: Baking is a science—ensure your ingredient measurements are accurate for the best results.

Storing Your Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Store your cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months. Bake them straight from the freezer, adding an extra 1-2 minutes to the baking time.

FAQs About Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Absolutely! The dough can be prepared up to 2 days in advance and kept refrigerated.

What makes crinkle cookies crack?
The cracking happens when the surface of the cookie dries out before the interior sets, causing the characteristic crinkles as it bakes.

Can I use light brown sugar instead of dark brown sugar?
Yes, but the flavor will be slightly less rich and molasses-forward.

More Festive Cookie Recipes to Try

If you love Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, you’ll adore these:

• Brown Butter Pecan Cookies: Buttery, chewy, and perfect for the holidays.
• Peppermint Bark Shortbread Cookies: A festive treat with the perfect blend of mint and chocolate.
• Buttery Walnut Snowball Cookies: A melt-in-your-mouth delight for any occasion.

Share Your Creations!

We’d love to see your Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies! Share your photos on Pinterest and tag us. Your festive baking inspires us!

Nutritional Information

Each cookie contains approximately:

• Calories: 194
• Fat: 11g
• Carbs: 23g
• Protein: 2g

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are the perfect blend of festive fun and flavorful indulgence. Easy to make, beautiful to look at, and absolutely delicious—these cookies are bound to become a holiday favorite. Try them out, and don’t forget to explore our other recipes for even more inspiration!

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