Nothing says cozy holiday baking like a batch of soft, spiced gingerbread cookies! These chewy and warmly spiced cookies are packed with flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, making them an absolute holiday favorite.
Unlike crunchy gingerbread, these cookies are incredibly soft and slightly chewy, perfect for those who love a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re baking them for Christmas, holiday cookie exchanges, or just a winter treat, these cookies are sure to become a family tradition!
Why You’ll Love These Soft Gingerbread Cookies
✔️ Perfectly Soft & Chewy – No hard, dry cookies here!
✔️ Rich Spiced Flavor – Made with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses for that classic taste.
✔️ Easy to Make – Simple ingredients and no complicated steps.
✔️ Perfect for Decorating – Use icing, sprinkles, or powdered sugar to dress them up!
✔️ Great for Gifting – These cookies stay soft for days, making them ideal for cookie boxes.
Ingredients (Makes ~24 Cookies)
- 350g (2 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 113g (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 100g (½ cup) brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 160ml (2/3 cup) unsulphured molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
For Rolling:
- 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, molasses, vanilla extract, and milk. Mix until well combined.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Cover the dough and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour (or overnight) for the best flavor and texture.
Step 3: Shape & Bake
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each in granulated sugar for a crisp exterior.
- Place on the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are set but centers look slightly soft.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Nutritional Information (Per Cookie)
- Calories: ~120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fat: 4g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Sugar: 10g
Tips for the Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies
✅ Chill the Dough – This prevents spreading and enhances the flavor.
✅ Don’t Overbake – The cookies should look slightly soft in the center when removed from the oven.
✅ Use Fresh Spices – For the best flavor, make sure your ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are fresh.
✅ Make Ahead – The dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days before baking.
✅ Customize the Spices – Add a pinch of black pepper for a bolder kick.
Decorating Ideas
✨ Powdered Sugar Dusting – Lightly dust cookies with powdered sugar for a festive look.
🎄 Icing Designs – Use royal icing to create snowflakes, swirls, or festive patterns.
🍫 Dipped in Chocolate – Dip half of each cookie in melted white or dark chocolate.
🌟 Sprinkles & Sparkles – Add edible glitter or holiday-themed sprinkles before the cookies set.
How to Store & Freeze Gingerbread Cookies
🕒 Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
❄️ Freezing Dough: Roll dough into balls and freeze on a tray. Transfer to a ziplock bag and freeze for up to 3 months.
🔥 Baking from Frozen: No need to thaw! Bake straight from frozen, adding 1-2 extra minutes to the bake time.
What to Serve with Gingerbread Cookies
☕ With Coffee or Tea – A perfect match for lattes, chai, or hot cocoa.
🍎 With Mulled Cider – The warm spices complement each other beautifully.
🎅 On a Christmas Cookie Platter – Pair with sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, and peppermint bark.