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Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for the Holiday Cookie Swap

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for the Holiday Cookie Swap


  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including chilling)
  • Yield: About 24 cookies 1x
  • Diet: Optionally Gluten Free (with flour substitution)

Description

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies combine warm holiday spices with a soft, chewy texture and a charming cracked powdered sugar surface. Perfect for festive gatherings, these easy-to-make cookies fill your kitchen with the aroma of holiday magic and are ideal for sharing or gifting during the holiday season.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses

Coating

  • Powdered sugar (for coating dough balls)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed and the dry components blend smoothly with the wet ingredients.
  2. Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy to create the creamy base for soft cookies.
  3. Add Egg and Molasses: Mix in the egg, beating well, then stir in the molasses until thoroughly combined. This adds richness and the classic gingerbread flavor.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender and prevent tough cookies.
  5. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. Chilling solidifies the butter, making the dough easier to handle and promoting the signature cookie crinkles.
  6. Form and Coat the Cookies: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the chilled dough into 1-inch balls and generously coat each ball with powdered sugar, which creates the crinkled surface during baking.
  7. Bake to Perfection: Place dough balls on a lined baking sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Cool slightly on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.

Notes

  • Chill Thoroughly: Refrigerate dough adequately to control spread and enhance texture.
  • Use Fresh Spices: Freshly ground spices enhance flavor intensity.
  • Generous Powdered Sugar Coating: Ensure a thick sugar coat for beautiful cracking effect.
  • Avoid Overbaking: Remove cookies when edges are firm but centers slightly underbaked for optimal chewiness.
  • Use Parchment or Silicone Mats: Prevent sticking and promote even baking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 120 kcal
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 110 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 16 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 1 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg

Keywords: Gingerbread, Holiday Cookies, Crinkle Cookies, Spiced Cookies, Festive Baking, Molasses Cookies, Christmas Cookies