Description

Delight in these classic Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, a perfect holiday treat featuring warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Soft and chewy with a beautifully cracked powdered sugar coating, these cookies promise festive flavor and an inviting texture. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients and a chilling step to enhance their signature cracks in the oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 ¼ cups (270g) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200g) brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
¼ cup (60ml) molasses
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For Coating

½ cup (60g) powdered sugar

Instructions

Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients—flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt—until fully combined. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, then beat again until fully incorporated. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and to help form the iconic cracks during baking.
Shape and Roll: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats for easy cleanup. Using a cookie scoop, portion out tablespoon-sized pieces of dough and roll each into a ball. The dough will be sticky, so work quickly. Generously roll each dough ball in powdered sugar until fully coated—this heavy coating is essential for producing the distinctive crinkle effect as they bake.
Bake to Perfection: Arrange the sugar-coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the cookies have spread and developed deep cracks on the surface. The edges should feel firm while the centers remain soft to the touch. Allow the cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set with the perfect chewy texture.

Notes

Chilling the dough is crucial; it helps the cookies develop their signature deep cracks and enhances flavor.
Use a digital kitchen scale for more accurate measurements and consistent cookie size.
For a stronger ginger flavor, you can increase the ground ginger slightly, but avoid overpowering the balance of spices.
Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
These cookies freeze well; freeze baked cookies in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Gingerbread cookies, Christmas cookies, crinkle cookies, holiday baking, spiced cookies, molasses cookies