Gingerbread Cookies

Our best gingerbread cookie recipe! These festive treats are soft and warmly spiced, with a rich molasses flavor. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer!

Gingerbread cookies

What could be more festive than gingerbread cookies?! With Christmas just a few weeks away, I’m ready to turn up the holiday cheer around here, and making this gingerbread cookie recipe seems like a great place to start. For one, it makes the house smell amazing, filling it with the comforting aroma of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. It’s also a blast to make–rolling out the dough, cutting out gingerbread people, baking them, and decorating them once they cool.

But more important than all of that, these gingerbread cookies are delicious! They’re soft, warmly spiced, and richly flavored with molasses and brown sugar. To me, they’re the perfect holiday treat, especially with a mug of hot chocolate to drink. I hope you love them too.

Gingerbread cookie recipe ingredients

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this gingerbread cookie recipe:

  • All-purpose flourSpoon and level it to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup.
  • Unsalted butter – Allow it to come to room temperature before you start to bake.
  • Brown sugar and molasses – They sweeten the cookies and add rich molasses flavor. We’ve had success baking these cookies with Wholesome and Brer Rabbit blackstrap molasses.
  • An egg yolk – It makes the cookies extra-soft and chewy.
  • Baking soda – It helps the cookies rise.
  • Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves – They give these gingerbread cookies their signature spice.
  • Vanilla extract – For warm depth of flavor.
  • Almond milk – For moisture. Any other milk, such as cow’s milk or oat milk, would work here too.
  • And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Cookie dough in the bowl of a stand mixer

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies

Once you’ve assembled your ingredients (is your butter at room temperature?), this gingerbread cookie recipe is simple to make:

First, make the dough. Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses, egg yolk, and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients–the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing after each addition. Finally, mix in the almond milk.

Hands using rolling pin to roll out cookie dough

Then, chill the dough. Divide it into two equal disks, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours. Chilling the dough allows it to firm up, making it easier to roll out.

Next, roll out the dough. Use a rolling pin to roll out the first disk on a lightly floured surface until it’s 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes (I always do gingerbread men and snowflakes!). Re-roll and cut out the dough scraps as necessary. Repeat with the remaining dough disk.

Finally, bake the cookies. Arrange the cut-outs on parchment-lined baking sheets, and bake in a 350°F oven until the edges are just set but the middles are still soft. I like to bake one sheet at time on the center oven rack so that the cookies bake evenly. Let them cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Decorate, or enjoy as they are!

Cutting out gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Tips

  • Don’t skimp on the chilling time. I’m usually all for not chilling cookie dough (you get to eat the cookies faster that way!), but in this recipe, it’s 100% necessary. The dough is soft and sticky when you first mix it together. Chilling it for at least 2 hours gives it a chance to firm up so that you can easily roll it out. The cut-outs also hold their shape better when baked.
  • The timing will depend on your cookie cutters. Differently sized and shaped cookies bake at different rates! For a perfect soft texture, I typically bake a 3-inch gingerbread man for 8 minutes. If you have smaller cut-outs, you’ll likely need to bake your cookies less. If you have larger cut-outs, you might need to go a bit longer.
  • Decorating is half the fun. As delicious as these soft gingerbread cookies are plain, they’re even tastier (and more festive!) with icing on top. For detailed lines and patterns like the ones in these pictures, use the royal icing recipe from this post. For a simpler glaze, stir together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons almond milk, adding more milk as needed to reach your desired consistency. Sprinkles, gumdrops, and other candies are fun decorations too!

Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions

Make-ahead option 1: Make the gingerbread cookie dough ahead of time! Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days, or freeze it for up to 3 months. Allow frozen dough to thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling it out.

Make-ahead option 2: Make the cookies ahead! Gingerbread cookies keep well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. (I actually like them best on day 2 or 3! They become even softer and chewier, and their spiced flavor deepens.)

These cookies also freeze well. Sealed in a freezer bag or container, they keep for up to 3 months. They thaw perfectly at room temperature.

Gingerbread cookie recipe

More Favorite Christmas Cookies

If you love these gingerbread cookies, try one of these festive cookie recipes next:

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Gingerbread Cookies

rate this recipe:
4.97 from 220 votes
Prep Time: 22 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Serves 24
Our BEST gingerbread cookie recipe! These festive treats are soft, warmly spiced, and full of delicious molasses flavor. Decorate with icing (see the tips in the post above for recipes), or enjoy plain.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • cup packed dark brown sugar
  • cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses, we like the Wholesome brand
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon almond milk, or any milk

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar. Add the molasses, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix again.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, salt, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing after each addition. Mix in the almond milk.
  • Form the dough into a ball, divide the ball in half, and flatten each half into a 1-inch-thick disk. Wrap in plastic and chill for at least 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until about ¼-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, then transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets, re-rolling the dough scraps as necessary.
  • Bake, one sheet at a time, for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just set but the middles are still soft. The cookies might seem underdone, but taking them out at this point will ensure that they stay soft once they cool. I typically use a 3-inch cookie cutter and bake my cookies for 8 minutes. The exact timing will depend on your oven, the size of your cookie cutters, and how soft or crunchy you like your gingerbread cookies.
  • Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

110 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Ariel Bedaro
    12.23.2023

    December Cooking Club Entry

    Ariel Bedaro

  2. Nathalie
    12.23.2023

    Cannot wait to try this recipe! I was only able to find light brown sugar. Should I add more molasses to deepen the flavour, or would this change the the texture too much? Do you have a different fix? Thank you so much.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.24.2023

      Hi Nathalie, the light brown sugar will work – I’d keep the recipe the same.

  3. Kathryn Kokos
    12.23.2023

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe! A new favorite to add to my holiday baking. I have tried other gingerbread recipes, but this is definitely a keeper!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.24.2023

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

  4. Judy Best
    12.23.2023

    4 stars
    Looking for a vegan cookie that doesn’t use refined white sugar. Also cutting WAY back on sugar in general to relieve aches and pain but still treat myself. These totally fit the bill!

  5. Kaitlan Degner
    12.22.2023

    5 stars
    This is our fave gingerbread cookie recipe! The kids and I love making them for the holidays. 🙂

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.24.2023

      I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!

  6. Angela
    12.22.2023

    5 stars
    Hands down the best gingerbread cookie recipe and I’ve been around for a hot minute . :))

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.24.2023

      Hi Angela, I’m so glad you loved it!

  7. Lauren
    12.22.2023

    5 stars
    Best gingerbread for making cookies with grandkids. Over 40 years trying different recipes and this one is the clear winner! Thanks for sharing.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.22.2023

      I’m so glad they were a hit!

  8. Sarah Calhoun
    12.22.2023

    These were so fun to make! I made the dough ahead of time, froze it, then defrosted overnight and made them!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.22.2023

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them!

  9. Aviella Strauss
    12.21.2023

    Soooo yummy!!

  10. Samantha Barnett
    12.20.2023

    5 stars
    Yum, yum, yum! So festive and delicious!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      I’m so glad they were a hit!

  11. Barbara Rzeznik
    12.20.2023

    5 stars
    Easy to follow recipe. If Christmas had an official scent, this would be it.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      Ha ha, I’m so glad you enjoyed them.

  12. Mandy
    12.19.2023

    Recipe looks awesome. I’d like to try and make it a little guilt free. I was thinking of replacing the brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener and changing the flour. Do you think amaranth flour would work? It’s got a rich flavor which would compliment the gingerbread. Just not sure if I’ll need to add another flour in to get the desires results. Any suggestions? Thanks!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.19.2023

      Hi Mandy, I’m not sure it would work with this many substitutions.

  13. Jeanette Pace
    12.18.2023

    5 stars
    The addition of ground clove to this recipe really gives this cookie a depth of flavor. The cookies instruction to bake the cookie for 8 minutes for a softer cookie was very accurate ( love a soft cookie). I’m confident to say that these will make a reappearance in my kitchen next year! Thank you Jeanine!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      Hi Jeanette, I’m so glad you loved them!

  14. Jen Finch
    12.18.2023

    5 stars
    I made these with my son, we had so much fun and they were delicious!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      I’m so glad you both loved them!

  15. Taylor
    12.18.2023

    I’m confused the recipe is for cut out cookies? She literally instructs you to roll the dough out flat and use your cookie cutters….

  16. Carrie Stone
    12.18.2023

    5 stars
    Made these and they were absolutely loved by everyone ranging from 1 year to 70 years old! Planning to make another batch for some colleagues.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      Hi Carrie, I’m so glad they were such a hit!

  17. Jessica Kennelly
    12.18.2023

    5 stars
    So yummy! the kids loved helping me too so extra points!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      I’m so glad everyone had fun!

  18. Lisa
    12.17.2023

    5 stars
    Can I make the dough several days ahead of time and store in the fridge?

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      Hi Lisa, yes, I’d store for up to 2 days in the fridge, you could freeze it after that.

  19. Andrea Miller
    12.17.2023

    5 stars
    The best gingerbread cookies I’ve ever made! The flavor is perfect unlike other recipes I’ve tried. I skipped the chilling and the cookies did not spread at all while baking. 9 minutes was perfect in my oven. I made some gingerbread men and 2 small houses with it.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.21.2023

      Hi Andrea, I’m so glad you loved them so much!

  20. Jade
    12.17.2023

    5 stars
    My only complaint about these cookies is that they’re like crack, I have lost all self control and eaten half of the batch myself. So be prepared for that😂 I did not use the icing recipe from this blog (Tbh I didn’t realize there was one until I looked at the other comments lol). The cookies are so good though, not too spicy for the little one but spiced enough that you can actually taste the ginger. New favorite gingerbread recipe by far!

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.