Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Soft and Chewy - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

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By: Amy on &nbsp|Updated:

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This homemade Gingersnap Cookies Recipe creates cookies that are soft and chewy in the middle and a bit crispy on the edges! It’s filled with cozy spices which makes it a classic Christmas cookie!

There is no chill time, cutting out, or decorating cookies. This means in less than 30 minutes your house will smell amazing and you’ll be enjoying these cookies!

Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Soft and Chewy - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (1)

I’m usually 100% a chocoholic and I love this old-fashioned gingersnap recipe! That’s really saying something about how amazing they really are! Plus, they’re a classic Christmas cookie and are a fantastic addition to holiday goodie plates. Snickerdoodles, Peppermint Bark Sugar Cookies, Mint Blossoms, and Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies are all great choices too!

After trying several recipes I combined a couple of them together creating the most perfect gingersnap cookies ever! They are thick, chewy, soft, and crispy all at the same time! If you’ve never been into non-chocolate cookies before…trust me and try these anyway! Check out my gingerbread recipe, too!

Why This Recipe Works:

  • Quick and easy! No chilling time, rolling dough out and cutting, or frosting. Plus, I have a trick for rolling the dough in sugar in no time!
  • Best texture! Using shortening helps keep the cookies soft.
  • Amazing flavor! Adding butter makes the cookies taste amazing!
  • Keep well! Gingersnaps stay fresh for quite awhile, or freeze them for later!

Ingredients Needed:

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You’ll need mostly simple pantry ingredients. Let’s talk about a few of them.

  • Molasses: Medium or dark molasses is best because it will add nice flavor without overpowering the cookies.
  • Shortening: You can use either the regular shortening or butter flavored shortening. I actually prefer regular shortening, but I didn’t have it last time I made these cookies.
  • Butter: I always use salted, but you can also use unsalted and add an additional 1/4 a teaspoon of salt.

How to Make Gingersnap Cookies:

I love how easy these cookies are to make! Let’s walk through it! Be sure you preheat your oven before starting to make the dough so it will be ready when you are.

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STEP 1: Cream butter, sugar, and molasses for about 2 minutes. Add eggs and cream again for a minute.

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STEP 2: Measure and add flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda, and salt to a separate bowl and whisk to combine. Add to creamed butter mixture. Mix only until combined and there aren’t flour streaks anymore.

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STEP 3: Use a cookie scoop to make balls of cookies. Roll cookies in your hands go make them smooth. Roll each cookie in granulated sugar. Set on baking sheet.

See my tip below for making caramel stuffed gingersnap cookies!

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STEP 4: Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes. They’ll be cracked on top when they are done. Let them rest on the cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before removing them to a cooling rack. They’re going to keep baking while they’re sitting on the cookie sheet, so be sure you don’t overbake them.

  • It’s important that each cookie is the same size so they will cook evenly. Using a cookie scoop is a good way to make sure they are uniform. This cookie scoop is the perfect size.
  • To easily roll the cookies in sugar, add granulated sugar to a shallow round container with a lid. Set a few cookies in the container and replace the lid. Gently swirl the container. When you open the lid the cookies will be coated in sugar. Don’t worry too much if they aren’t completely round anymore. It will all work out as they bake.
  • Sometimes I like to make caramel-filled gingersnap cookies. To do this add a Rolo candy to the cookie dough ball, then use your hands to stuff the candy inside and roll the cookie dough around it being sure to pinch the seems. This step is totally optional.

Recipe FAQ’s:

How long will ginger snaps last?

Gingersnaps will last for a week stored in an airtight container. Adding a piece of bread to the storage container helps keep them soft. Cookies that are a couple of days old can be microwaved to make them taste exactly like they did when they came out of the oven.

Do gingersnaps freeze well?

Yes! Store them in an airtight container for up to 6 months. Take them out of the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature when you’re ready to eat them.

Can dogs eat gingersnaps?

Gingersnaps aren’t good for dogs to eat, but if they do happen to snatch one it will be okay.

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Other Easy Cookie Recipes:

If you love this gingersnap cookies recipe you’re going to love these other easy cookie recipes! If a recipe isn’t easy, it’s probably not happening very often at my house! Here are a few of our favorites I know you’ll love too!

I love it when you make my recipes and give me feedback! If you have a minute please comment below and leave a star ranking! Also, be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!

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Gingersnap Cookies Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Author Amy

Course Cookies

Cuisine American

Servings 48 cookies

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Old fashioned ginger snap cookies are soft and chewy in the middle and crispy on the edges. They're made with molasses, butter, and ginger! This is an easy recipe with no chill time!

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter room temperature
  • 3/4 cup shortening
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons soda
  • 2 teaspoons cloves
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ginger

For rolling the cookies in

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

  • Using an electric mixer, cream shortening, butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar, together at medium speed for 2 minutes

  • Add eggs and molasses. Cream again for 1 minute.

  • Measure flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves and add to a separate bowl. Whisk to combine.

  • Add dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture. Mix only until combined.

  • Using a cookie scoop make balls with the cookie dough. I like to use a scoop that's 1 1/2 Tablespoon size. Roll cookie dough between your palms to create smooth cookies. Roll cookies into granulated sugar to coat.

    SEE NOTE BELOW for tips on rolling cookies.

  • Bake cookies for 9-11 minutes. 10 minutes was perfect in my oven. Cookies will be cracked on top. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes. The cookies will continue to bake while on the hot cookie sheet, so be sure to NOT overbake them. Remove to a wire cooling rack to completely cool.

Notes

Tips on rolling cookies in sugar:

  • Add sugar to a shallow container with a lid.
  • Add rolled cookies to the container and put the lid back on.
  • Gently swirl the container. When you open it the cookies will be coated with sugar.

Making Caramel Filled Cookies:

Caramel-filled gingersnaps are amazing! Add a Rolo candy to the cookie dough balls, then shape so that the candy is completely inside the cookie dough. Roll in sugar and bake as directed.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 53mg | Potassium: 71mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 89IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marion Fehr says

    These were a big hit in our house!! Soft & chewy. Mine were in the oven for 9 minutes!! This is a keeper recipe!!

    Reply

  2. Elaine Duckett says

    I know the gingersnap story, you will have to tell it later.

    Wish you kids were still around so if I did make these cookies, Dad and I wouldn’t have to eat them all. Or I guess I could try selling them for $2.00 a piece. I am pretty sure Branson put the $2.00 he made in his safe, right.

    Mom

    Reply

  3. Karen says

    that looks good! what a boy – selling his friends cookies – he will need to be splitting some money with you so you can buy the baking supplies 🙂

    Reply

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Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Soft and Chewy - Pitchfork Foodie Farms (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between ginger snaps and ginger cookies? ›

Ginger Snaps are simply a variation of the traditional Gingerbread cookie. They're known for their crisper quality; their “snap” if you will.

Why are ginger snap cookies so hard? ›

Here are several reasons why your ginger snap cookies might have turned out hard: Overbaking: Cookies can become hard if they are baked for too long. Make sure to bake these cookies for 20 minutes at 300 degrees F. Too little moisture: If you didn't add enough liquid to the dough, the cookies can become dry and hard.

Who makes ginger snaps cookies? ›

Nyakers Pepparkakor Swedish Ginger Snaps - Original, Famous & Old Fashioned Ginger Cookies Traditionally Baked in Sweden Since 1952 - Sweet and Spicy Thin Gingersnap Cookies - 14.11 Ounces.

How do you make cookies soft and chewy again? ›

Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

What is the trick to soften hard cookies? ›

Bread Method:Place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread. Seal the container and let it sit overnight. The moisture from the bread will transfer to the cookies, softening them. Apple or Potato Method:Place the cookies in an airtight container with slices of apple or potato.

Are ginger snaps healthier than other cookies? ›

The smaller, crispy gingersnaps are a plain, round cookie and a healthier choice when compared to other cookies because they are usually lower in calories. Ginger not only adds delicious flavor to food, but it's also full of nutrients. There are lots of different vitamins and minerals in ginger.

Why are my ginger snap cookies flat? ›

Check your oven

If your oven is too hot, the fat melts faster than the cookie can set, and you end up with pancake cookies. Always preheat your oven and invest in a good oven thermometer. Even new ovens can be incorrectly calibrated, so check the actual temperature every time you put a pan in the oven.

Why is ginger snaps so good? ›

Because it has some excellent suspense sequences and a rather high amount of blood and gore. The werewolf is really cool looking,the acting by two lead girls(Emily Perkins,Katharine Isabelle)is excellent and the direction is well-handled. "Ginger Snaps" is a pure horror film,that is to be taken seriously.

What are the side effects of ginger snap cookies? ›

Added Sugar

Eating 2 ounces of gingersnaps boosts your sugar intake by 11.3 grams, while gingerbread cookies contain 10.9 grams of sugar per serving. This sugar increases the level of acidity in your mouth, which dissolves the enamel covering your teeth and contributes to tooth decay.

What ethnicity is ginger snap? ›

Her exact ethnicity is unknown. She might be of Indian or Middle Eastern descent, for in the Thanksgiving book, she wears a blouse similar to Indian/Middle Eastern attire. In season four, Ginger Snap is the least featured of the four/five main girls. In the Playmates toys era, she only got a single doll.

Why didn't my ginger snaps crack? ›

Let's review a few reasons why you're cooked may not have crackled on top: You put the cookies in the oven before preheating. A hot preheated oven is important for getting a crackle top on your cookies. You didn't whip the butter and sugar long enough.

What is going on with Nabisco ginger snaps? ›

In announcing the settlement with the maker of Oreo and Chips Ahoy cookies, California Attorney General Kamala Harris on Friday said testing revealed that a serving of the ginger snaps contained lead levels up to nine times the threshold requiring a warning under California's Proposition 65.

What is another name for ginger snap cookies? ›

A gingersnap, ginger snap, ginger nut, or ginger biscuit is a biscuit flavored with ginger. Ginger snaps are flavored with powdered ginger and a variety of other spices, most commonly cinnamon, molasses and clove.

Can you soften ginger? ›

The harder and older it is the longer it will take to soften and the taste won't be as good! Cook the ginger in 350ml / 1.5 cups of water on medium-low heat (simmering) for about 50-60 minutes until the ginger is between soft and al dente. Cook it open for the first 15 minutes before you close the pot with a lid.

How do you keep gingerbread cookies soft after baking? ›

Follow your recipe's instructions. If it says to chill the dough or let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, do it. Don't stack cookies while they're still warm. Let them cool completely before storing.

Why are my gingerbread cookies crunchy? ›

The softness of gingerbread cookies will depend on a few factors like the recipe ingredients and the amount of time used to bake them. The longer they are baked, the firmer and crunchier they will be.

How to make cookies more moist? ›

Cornstarch helps product soft and thick cookies. Using more brown sugar than white sugar results in a moister, softer cookie. An extra egg yolk increases chewiness. Rolling the cookie dough balls to be tall and lumpy instead of wide and smooth gives the cookies a bakery-style textured thickness.

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