Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

introduction

These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are soft, warmly spiced cookies rolled in powdered sugar so they crack beautifully as they bake. They balance molasses-rich depth with bright notes of ginger and cinnamon, making them an ideal holiday bake — chewy at the center with crisped edges and festive cracked tops.

why make this recipe

This recipe is straightforward, uses pantry-friendly spices, and yields classic, crowd-pleasing cookies in about an hour from start to finish. If you enjoy seasonal ginger flavors and a soft, crinkly texture, this is a go-to. For a slightly different gingerbread take, you can compare variations with a classic gingerbread cookie recipe.

how to make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Follow the simple steps below to make these cookies: cream the butter and brown sugar, add molasses and egg for moisture and rich flavor, then fold in your spiced dry mix. Chilling the dough firms it for rolling and helps create neat cracks during baking. After coating each ball in powdered sugar, the sugar melts then cracks as the cookies spread in the oven, producing the signature crinkled look.

Ingredients :

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions :

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
3. In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
5. Gradually add in the dry ingredients until combined.
6. Chill the dough for about 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
7. Scoop out dough and roll into balls, then roll in powdered sugar.
8. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them apart.
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set and the tops are cracked.
10. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to wire racks.

how to serve Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Serve warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with hot cocoa, coffee, or a spiced tea. For a festive platter, mix with other holiday cookies, or sandwich two cookies together with a thin spread of cream cheese frosting or marshmallow fluff.

how to store Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

tips to make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Don’t skip chilling the dough — it firms the butter and helps cookies keep their shape and develop cracks.
• Use packed brown sugar for the correct moisture and caramel flavor.
• Watch the bake time: 10–12 minutes gives soft centers; longer yields firmer cookies.
• For even rolling, chill scooped dough balls briefly on the sheet tray before coating in powdered sugar.
• If your powdered sugar melts too much in the oven, try a slightly thicker coating or chill the sugared dough balls before baking.

variation (if any)

• Spiced Orange: Add 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest to the dough for a citrus note.
• Molasses-forward: Increase molasses to 1/3 cup for a deeper, chewier cookie (reduce brown sugar by 2 tablespoons if desired).
• Chocolate-ginger: Fold in 1/2 cup mini dark chocolate chips for a chocolate-ginger contrast.

FAQ

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time?
A: Yes — you can refrigerate the dough for up to 48 hours or freeze it for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge before scooping.

Q: Why did my cookies not crack on top?
A: Possible causes are underbaked cookies, dough too warm, or not enough powdered sugar coating. Chill the dough and coat generously.

Q: Can I use butter substitute or oil?
A: Butter gives flavor and structure; substitutes may change texture. If using margarine, choose a high-quality stick margarine and expect slight differences.

Conclusion

For a trusted, festive version of this favorite, check out this detailed recipe for inspiration: Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies – If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen.