These scrumptious Gingersnap cookies are bursting with the flavors of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and fresh cracked black pepper. Top off these tasty morsels by rolling the cookie dough balls in cinnamon sugar to add a bit more tasty goodness and texture. I love to serve them at holiday parties and include them on Christmas cookie trays with snowball cookies and peppermint thumbprints.
Can you believe how fast this year has gone? Now we are deep in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This is the time of year for all things sweet, especially cookies. These easy Ginger Cookies will quickly become one of your favorite holiday cookies. Gingersnaps are delightful little treats that are crispy on the outside with soft and chewy centers. They are super easy to make, and you can prepare the dough in less than 15 minutes. These ginger snap cookies are perfect for a holiday cookie exchange.
How do you make Ginger Snaps?
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Next, using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer on medium speed in a large bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take several minutes. Then reduce the speed to low and add the egg and molasses mixing just until combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture mixing just until combined, scraping down the bowl and beaters when needed. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop for even proportions, roll the ginger snap dough into 1-inch balls using your hands. Then roll each cookie dough ball through the sugar. Place on parchment-covered baking sheets with at least 2 1/2 inches between each cookie. Bake in a preheated oven for 10 -11 minutes. Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before moving the gingersnaps to a wire rack to cool.
Tips for making the best Gingersnap Cookies
- Always preheat your oven and load the cookie tray on the middle rack in the center.
- Refrigerate the ginger snap dough while you are not working with it and in between batches.
- For optimal taste, fresh spices are always the best. If you have a local spice shop, pay them a visit. I have found that dried ground ginger, as opposed to fresh ginger, works best in these cookies.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop for equally proportioned cookies Roll the ginger snap dough into balls that are about 1 inch to get perfectly sized cookies.
- For best results, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. It promotes even baking and browning, reduces spreading, and eliminates sticking.
- Do not load the dough onto hot or warm cookie sheets, as this will increase the spread.
- Leave at least 2 1/2 inches between the cookies so they can spread and so the heat can flow around them.
- If you have time, do a test run with one or two cookies. It really helps to establish baking time.
Other holiday treats to try!
Gingersnap Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- Gingersnap Cookie Recipe
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ⅛ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- ¾ cup butter softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 egg
Cinnamon Sugar
- 1/4 cup sanding or granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground black pepper in a medium bowl. Set the bowl aside for a few minutes.
- Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld electric mixer on medium speed in a mixing bowl, cream the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take several minutes.
- Reduce the speed to low and add the egg and molasses mixing until combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients mixing just until combined, scraping down the bowl and beaters when needed. Cover and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon. Using a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop, roll the ginger snap dough into 1-inch balls using your hands and roll each cookie dough ball through the sugar. Place on the prepared baking sheets with at least 2 1/2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 10 -11 minutes. Let the cookies cool for about 5 minutes before moving the gingersnaps to a cooling rack.
Video
Notes
- Always preheat your oven and load the cookie tray on the middle rack in the center.
- Refrigerate the ginger snap dough while you are not working with it and in between batches.
- For optimal taste, fresh spices are always the best. If you have a local spice shop, pay them a visit. I have found that dried ground ginger, as opposed to fresh ginger, works best in these cookies.
- Use a 1 1/2 tablespoon cookie scoop for equally proportioned cookies Roll the ginger snap dough into balls that are about 1 inch to get perfectly sized cookies.
- For best results, use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. It promotes even baking and browning, reduces spreading, and eliminates sticking.
- Do not load the dough onto hot or warm cookie sheets, as this will increase the spread.
- Leave at least 2 1/2 inches between the cookies so they can spread and so the heat can flow around them.
- If you have time, do a test run with one or two cookies. It really helps to establish baking time.
Nutrition
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Rebecca Brady
Love these cookies! I have made many batches ❤️ but the last batch I made the dough liquified in the oven. I was wondering if you’ve ever experienced this? If you have any tips please share. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Is it possible the flour was undermeasured? If your house is anything like mine things can be hectic.
Sharon Walker
Outstanding!!! Easy ,yummy, will never make another recipe ❤️,
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sharon! So glad that you like the gingersnap cookies!
Holly
These cookies turned out great! We ate some and I crushed the rest to make a crust for my holiday cheesecake!! SO good!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Holly! Happy Thanksgiving!
Sara
Whipped up a batch of these for an afternoon treat and they did not disappoint! Turned out easy, moist and delicious; exactly what I needed to cure my sweet tooth, indeed!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Sara! So glad that you like the gingersnap cookies.
Kathleen
These gingersnap cookies were fabulous! They came together so easily. We ate some and we froze some for our holiday cookie trays.
Shelby
I love the simplicity of a ginger snap cookie, and these are wonderful. The perfect flavor and crunch. I appreciated your tips for making them!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Shelby! I am so happy that you liked them! Have a nice Thanksgiving.
Justine
These were fantastic! They reminded me of my grandma, I loved them.
Kasandra
I was skeptical about the black pepper but it came out so yummy! Thank you!
Kushigalu
This looks so crunchy and flavorful. Thanks for the recipe.
Noune
Great recipe and they smell amazing. Thanks for sharing this delicious Ginger Snap cookie recipe.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Caroline
I do love the texture and flavor of gingersnaps – such a classic, so tasty!
Seema Sriram
This is perfect. We are having a cold snap and these cookies will be so good to have for tea.
Beth Pierce
Thanks Seema! Enjoy!