The smell of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses drifting through a winter kitchen feels like home. These crinkle cookies capture everything cozy about Christmas—soft centers, crackled powdered sugar tops, and that warm spice that hugs you from the inside out. They’re the kind of cookies you bake once, then crave every December.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
These crinkle cookies come out soft, chewy, and full of holiday spice.
The dough chills overnight, making them easy to prep ahead.
They’re perfect for gifting, sharing, or stacking high on your Christmas cookie platter.
Key Ingredients and Flavor Notes
The Essential Spices
Ginger brings warmth, cinnamon adds comfort, and cloves and nutmeg deepen the flavor.
Together, they turn every bite into a taste of Christmas.
The Role of Molasses
Molasses gives that deep, caramel color and chewy texture.
It’s what makes these cookies taste rich and nostalgic, like the holidays we remember.
The Crinkle Coating
Powdered sugar does more than sweeten.
It melts and cracks as the cookies bake, forming those beautiful, snowy crinkles everyone loves.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Perfect Crinkle Cookies
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
This blend is your cookie’s heart—it holds all the warm spice.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
This step creates a soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
3. Add Egg, Molasses & Vanilla
Stir in the egg, molasses, and vanilla.
The mix will turn dark and glossy, smelling like spiced caramel.
4. Chill the Dough
Chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you can.
Cold dough means thicker cookies with perfect crinkles.
5. Roll & Bake
Preheat to 350°F.
Scoop tablespoon-sized dough balls, roll them in powdered sugar, and place them 2 inches apart.
Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are set and centers stay soft.
Cool slightly, then move to a rack to finish.
Baking Tips for Success
Always chill the dough. It prevents spreading and helps those snowy cracks form.
Use fresh spices for a bright, warm aroma.
Avoid overbaking—edges should be firm, but centers soft.
Work quickly with the dough to keep it cool and easy to roll.
Storage & Make-Ahead Options
Keep cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months.
Or freeze the dough balls and bake straight from the freezer—just add a minute or two to the bake time.
Common Crinkle Cookie Problems
If cookies spread too much, the dough wasn’t cold enough.
If they don’t crinkle, coat them well in powdered sugar.
If they turn dry, you may have overbaked or used too much flour.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with hot chocolate or warm apple cider for the full festive experience.
Serve on a cheerful platter for guests.
Or crumble one over vanilla ice cream—it’s a quiet little holiday miracle.
A Short History of Gingerbread
Gingerbread traces back to medieval Europe, where bakers used honey, breadcrumbs, and spices.
Over time, it evolved into cookies, cakes, and festive houses.
Today, gingerbread remains a symbol of warmth, family, and winter celebration.
Soft and Spiced Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies Recipe Card
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Crinkle Cookies – Soft, Spiced & Absolutely Delicious
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft and Spiced Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are chewy, warmly spiced cookies coated in powdered sugar. With notes of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and rich molasses, they’re perfect for cozy winter baking and holiday gifting.
Ingredients
2¼ cups (270 g) all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (200 g) brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
¼ cup (60 ml) molasses
2 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar, for coating
Instructions
1. Whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
2. Cream softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy for about 2–3 minutes.
3. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla; beat until smooth and glossy.
4. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Cover and chill the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment.
7. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions, roll in powdered sugar, and place 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 10–12 minutes until edges are firm and centers are soft.
9. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Notes
Yields 24 cookies. Sticky dough is normal; chilling prevents spreading.
Use fresh spices for the best flavor. Avoid overbaking—edges should be firm and centers soft.
Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
Pair with hot cocoa or apple cider for a cozy winter treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Christmas Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
More Such Recipes
If you love spiced cookies, try my Soft and chewy Gingerbread Cheesecake Cookies.
For something colorful, check out these Festive Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies for Christmas.
You might also enjoy the Classic Snickerdoodle Recipe with Cinnamon Sugar or my Chewy Maple Cinnamon Cookies with White Chocolate.
FAQs
What is the secret to crinkle cookies?
Chilling the dough and rolling it generously in powdered sugar creates the signature crinkle pattern.
What are crinkle cookies?
They’re soft, chewy cookies coated in powdered sugar that crack open as they bake, forming a snowy, crinkled surface.
What country are crinkle cookies from?
Crinkle cookies first became popular in the United States, though the idea of sugar-coated cookies dates back centuries.
Why is it called crinkles?
The cookies “crinkle” as they expand in the oven, forming cracks that reveal the soft cookie underneath.
Final Thoughts
These crinkle cookies remind us that simple moments—like baking on a cold evening—can feel magical. Their spice, softness, and sugary finish bring the joy of the season to every bite.
So go ahead, bake a batch, share with loved ones, and make your kitchen smell like Christmas.
For more cozy ideas and holiday inspiration, visit my Pinterest or Facebook.