Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies: Festive Spice for Christmas Swaps

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a delightful treat perfect for Christmas swaps. I still remember the first time my son Jake and I baked these cookies together. The kitchen filled with the warm aroma of spices, and we couldn’t wait to share them with family and friends.

Why You’ll Love It

• They’re soft and chewy with a crispy exterior.
• The spices create a cozy holiday vibe.
• They’re perfect for cookie exchanges and festive gatherings.

Pure Comfort

These cookies bring back memories of holiday cheer and laughter. Each bite is like a warm hug, making them the ultimate comfort food during the chilly season.

What You Need

• 2 cups 2 cups all-purpose flour (240 g) – Sifted for better texture.
• 2 tsp 2 tsp baking powder – Helps the cookies rise.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp ground ginger – For that classic ginger flavor.
• 1 tsp 1 tsp ground cinnamon – Adds warmth and spice.
• 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp ground cloves – A little goes a long way!
• 1/2 tsp 1/2 tsp salt – Balances the sweetness.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick, 113 g) – Softened for easy mixing.
• 1 cup 1 cup brown sugar (packed, 220 g) – For rich sweetness.
• 1 1 large egg – Room temperature for better incorporation.
• 1/4 cup 1/4 cup molasses (60 ml) – Gives that classic gingerbread flavor.
• 1/2 cup 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling) – For that crinkly finish.

Time to Cook

Prep: 20 minutes | Cook: 10 minutes | Total: 30 minutes | Difficulty: Easy | Make-Ahead: Yes, dough can be refrigerated.

Steps to Make It

1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). This will help your cookies bake evenly and get that lovely golden color.
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. The aroma of the spices will fill your kitchen, making it feel like the holidays.
3. In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. You want it to be pale in color, which means it’s well mixed.
4. Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined. The mixture should be smooth and glossy, hinting at the delicious cookies to come.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep your cookies tender.
6. Chill the dough for about 15 minutes in the fridge. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in powdered sugar. This gives them that signature crinkle look and sweet finish.
8. Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They’ll spread a bit, so give them room to breathe.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still soft. They will look slightly puffed and cracked on top.
10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them firm up without losing that soft center.

Make It Perfect

• For extra spice, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients.
• If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute with honey or maple syrup, but the flavor will be slightly different.
• Make sure your butter is softened, not melted, for the best texture.
• These cookies freeze well! Just store them in an airtight container.

Mix It Up

• Try adding chocolate chips for a sweet twist.
• Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor.
• Add chopped crystallized ginger for an extra zing.

Perfect Partners

• Pair these cookies with a warm cup of cocoa.
• Serve alongside a holiday fruit platter for a festive touch.
• They also go well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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FAQs

Conclusion

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a festive delight that will surely impress at any cookie exchange. With their warm spices and sweet crinkle finish, they’re bound to become a holiday favorite in your home.

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Festive Spice for Christmas Swaps

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are soft and chewy with a crispy exterior, filled with warm holiday spices. Perfect for festive gatherings and cookie exchanges, they bring cozy comfort and a sweet crinkle finish that’s sure to be a holiday favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Equipment

• Oven
• Mixing Bowl
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Wire rack

Ingredients

  

Main

• 2 cups all-purpose flour sifted for better texture
• 2 tsp baking powder helps the cookies rise
• 1 tsp ground ginger for that classic ginger flavor
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon adds warmth and spice
• 0.5 tsp ground cloves a little goes a long way
• 0.5 tsp salt balances the sweetness
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened for easy mixing
• 1 cup brown sugar packed, for rich sweetness
• 1 large egg room temperature for better incorporation
• 0.25 cup molasses gives that classic gingerbread flavor
• 0.5 cup powdered sugar for rolling and crinkly finish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
• Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture, mixing until fully combined.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
• Chill the dough for about 15 minutes in the fridge.
• Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and roll them in powdered sugar.
• Place the dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing about 2 inches apart.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but centers are still soft.
• Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Keyword Cookies, Crinkle, Gingerbread, holiday, Molasses, spices