Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies (Printable View)

Soft spiced cookies with molasses, ginger, and cinnamon, rolled in powdered sugar for a festive crinkle effect.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
06 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
09 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
10 - 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

13 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
14 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar

# How-To Steps:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl until thoroughly blended.
02 - Beat butter and brown sugar together in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture. Beat until completely smooth and homogeneous.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined and no dry streaks remain.
05 - Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up for easier handling.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of chilled dough and roll each into smooth balls.
08 - Roll each dough ball first in granulated sugar, then generously coat with powdered sugar until completely covered.
09 - Place the coated balls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets to allow for spreading.
10 - Bake for 10-12 minutes until cookies are set but still slightly soft in the center.
11 - Let cookies rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of granulated and powdered sugar creates that dramatic crinkle effect that makes these cookies look like they came from a bakery
  • They stay soft and chewy for days, making them perfect for gift boxes or holiday platters
02 -
  • Chilling the dough is non negotiable, otherwise the cookies spread too much and lose their thick chewy texture
  • Generous powdered sugar coating is what creates the dramatic crinkle effect as the cookies expand in the oven
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients blend together more easily and create a better texture
  • Watch the cookies closely at the 10 minute mark since they go from perfect to overbaked quickly

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