The Easiest Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Soft gingerbread cookies capture the heartwarming essence of festive baking with their rich, spicy aroma and tender crumb.

These delectable treats blend warmth and comfort in every delightful bite.

Bakers love crafting these seasonal delicacies that evoke memories of cozy kitchen gatherings and cherished family traditions.

Holiday spices dance through the dough, creating an irresistible blend of sweetness and complexity.

Molasses provides deep, caramel-like undertones that distinguish these cookies from ordinary sweet snacks.

Perfectly balanced with a hint of robust spiciness, these cookies offer a nostalgic connection to time-honored culinary practices.

Crisp edges and soft centers make these gingerbread cookies a textural masterpiece that satisfies both classic and contemporary palates.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies That Taste Like the Holidays

• Savor Warm Comfort: These gingerbread cookies wrap you in cozy holiday memories with their rich, spicy aroma and soft, pillowy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Master Effortless Baking: The simple one-bowl method and straightforward instructions make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros.
• Customize Your Delight: The optional glaze lets you personalize these cookies, turning them into a festive treat that can be dressed up or enjoyed in their classic, rustic form.

Pantry Staples for Baking Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple with essential structure for soft cookie texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates soft, tender crumb.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm, sweet spice that adds classic gingerbread flavor.
• Ground Ginger: Sharp, zesty spice core of traditional gingerbread taste.
• Ground Cloves: Intense, aromatic spice that provides deep warmth.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps create soft cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture, depth, and caramel-like sweetness.
• Molasses: Dark, rich sweetener that gives authentic gingerbread color and taste.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to cookies.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out and deepens overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze for cookie topping.
• Milk: Thins powdered sugar to create drizzling consistency.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

Step 1: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, blend softened butter and brown sugar. Mix for 1-2 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy with a creamy texture.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

• Molasses
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Beat these ingredients for 60-90 seconds until the mixture looks smooth and fully integrated.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient blend to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until everything blends completely and forms a consistent cookie dough.

Step 4: Chill the Dough

Transfer the dough to an airtight container. Refrigerate for minimum 1 hour, though overnight chilling produces the best results.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Use a small cookie scoop to portion 1½ to 2 tablespoons of dough. Roll into neat balls.

Step 7: Arrange Cookies

Place dough balls on prepared baking sheet, leaving approximately 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 9-11 minutes until cookie tops look just set. Allow cookies to rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes.

Step 9: Cool and Finish

Transfer cookies to a wire rack. Let them cool completely.

Optional Step 10: Create Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over completely cooled cookies.

Tips for Chewy Texture and Warm Flavor

• Chill the Dough Effectively: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development, ensuring a richer, more complex taste.
• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements for spices and flour to maintain the perfect balance of warm, comforting gingerbread flavors.
• Roll Dough Uniformly: Create consistent cookie sizes by using a small cookie scoop for even baking and professional-looking results.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Remove cookies from the oven when tops are just set to maintain a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Let cookies cool completely before glazing to allow spices to fully bloom and create a more intense gingerbread experience.

How to Keep Gingerbread Cookies Soft After Baking

• Refrigerate: Store soft gingerbread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days or refrigerate for extended freshness.
• Freeze: Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with wax paper. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in a preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore soft, fresh-baked texture. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out.

Favorite Pairings for Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: A fragrant chai tea perfectly complements the gingerbread’s warm spices, creating a cozy winter flavor harmony that dances on your taste buds.
• Serve Alongside Creamy Eggnog: The rich, velvety texture of eggnog balances the soft cookie’s spiciness, offering a luxurious holiday dessert experience that feels like a festive celebration.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Cool, smooth vanilla ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the spiced cookie, creating a classic dessert combination that brings comfort and joy in every bite.
• Enjoy with Hot Mulled Wine: A glass of warm mulled wine enhances the cookie’s deep molasses and spice notes, delivering a sophisticated adult treat that warms you from the inside out.

Festive Variations to Refresh This Classic

• Spiced Rum Gingerbread: Add 2 tablespoons of dark rum to the wet ingredients for a rich, boozy flavor that enhances the warm spices.
• Chocolate-Dipped Ginger Treats: After cooling, dip half of each cookie into melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candied ginger for extra crunch.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Mix 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough for added texture and a subtle nutty undertone.
• Citrus Ginger Sparkle: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of orange or lemon zest into the dough and top with a light citrus glaze for a bright, zesty kick.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Gingerbread cookies from Germany bring warmth and spice to holiday celebrations. Molasses, cinnamon, and ginger create a rich, comforting treat that connects you with traditional Christmas cheer.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Primary Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups (375 milliliters) all-purpose flour
• 0.5 cup (113 grams) butter, softened
• 0.75 cup (170 grams) brown sugar, packed
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) molasses
• 1 large egg, room temperature

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.75 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt

Leavening and Flavoring:

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Simple Gingerbread Glaze (optional):

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) powdered sugar
• 1 to 1.5 tablespoons (15 to 22.5 milliliters) milk

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing vessel, whisking flour, baking soda, aromatic spices, and sea salt until evenly blended.
2. Utilize a stand mixer to cream butter and brown sugar, whipping until the mixture becomes airy and pale.
3. Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter blend, mixing thoroughly until a cohesive liquid forms.
4. Slowly introduce the dry ingredient mixture into the wet components, gently stirring on low speed until a uniform dough develops.
5. Seal the dough in an airtight container and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for minimum one hour, enabling flavors to meld and texture to firm.
6. Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for even cookie distribution.
7. Shape the chilled dough into uniform spheres using a cookie scoop, ensuring consistent sizing.
8. Arrange dough balls on the prepared sheet, maintaining sufficient spacing to prevent merging during baking.
9. Bake until cookie tops appear set and edges slightly golden, approximately 9-11 minutes.
10. Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for brief moments to stabilize, then transfer to a cooling rack.
11. Optional: Create a delicate glaze by whisking powdered sugar with milk, drizzling gracefully over completely cooled cookies.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to enhance flavor depth and prevent spreading during baking.
• Roll cookies in granulated sugar before baking for a delightful sparkly, crackly exterior that adds extra sweetness.
• Allow cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes to help them set and prevent breaking when transferred.
• Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain soft, chewy texture.
• Customize by adding optional glaze or dusting with powdered sugar for an elegant finishing touch.
• Freezer-friendly dough can be prepared ahead and stored for up to 3 months, perfect for spontaneous baking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg