I’m sure you’re all well on your way through Christmas baking, with the big day just two days away (!), but I thought I’d pop in with one last holiday cookie recipe: these soft and chewy ginger cookies, one of my all time seasonal favorites. This recipe is an offshoot of one I shared last year, my Great Aunt Marie’s molasses cookies, a wonderful recipe in itself. As I’m often wont to do, I tinkered with the original a bit, most notably adding extra ginger and a hint of cocoa to intensify the deep character of the molasses. Both cookies are moist, chewy, highly addictive, and perfect for (last-minute) edible gifting.
I’d also like to thank each and every one of you for being readers and sharing this space with me. Sincerely. This past year was an amazing culinary adventure, and next year promises to be even greater. So here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays or simply, a joyous, peaceful season. I do hope you’re able to share some wonderful meals with family and loved ones. See you next year! xo, Laura
Soft and Chewy Ginger Cookies
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 36 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
- 3/4 cups (1–1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated (white) sugar, plus more for rolling
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely minced
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses (I use Brer Rabbit)
Instructions
- Sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Meanwhile, using a stand-up mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix together the melted butter, sugar, fresh ginger and vanilla on medium-speed until well-combined. Add the egg and the molasses, and continue mixing until fully-combined.
- Turn the mixer down to low and add the dry ingredients, a half-cup or so at a time, just until the dough comes together and the ingredients are fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. The dough will be nice and thick. Cover the mixing bowl and chill the dough for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Remove the dough from the fridge and gently form the dough into 1-inch balls. Gently roll the balls of dough in sugar then place them on a non-stick or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet, spaced about 2-inches apart, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- When they come out the oven, the cookies should have noticeable cracks throughout and look slightly raw in the center. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet, then transfer to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room-temperature. Enjoy!
Notes
I find that using a 1-inch cookie-scoop to portion out the dough (prior to rolling it into balls) creates much more even-sized cookies than I ever manage to make without it.
I made this last Christmas and brought them to work. They were a hit! So good and spicey and chewy! I plan to make even more this Christmas to give as gifts. Thank you for this delicious recipe! Definitely one of holiday favorites.
★★★★★
I made these cookies last week and they delicious. I’m about to make another batch, this time I’ll try adding the cocoa powder and fresh ginger, and maybe chill the dough for a bit longer if I can be patient. Your photos are spectacular!
Thanks so much, Jana! So glad to hear you love these as much as we do! I always end up making at least half a dozen batches of these over the holidays 🙂
Can I leave the dough in the fridge overnight?
Hi Emily! Yes, you can definitely make these the day/night before. The dough might harden up a bit from chilling that long, so I would just let it sit for a few minutes before rolling into balls. Hope you love these! Merry Christmas!
I’ve made these 3 times already and each time they were a huge hit. They are indeed chewy, with a lovely wintry spiciness – and just plain gorgeous. Thank you for sharing!
★★★
Thanks, Katherine! They disappear quickly in our house too!
do you use the full flavor brer rabbit, or the mild flavor?
Hi Mellisa! I prefer the full flavor but you can use either. Hope you enjoy!
Mmmm, I just made a batch of these. I have definitly replaced my old gingerbread recipe. Sooo addictive. Thank you for sharing such a perfect recipe.
PS. I just used dried, ground ginger and they are still yummy 🙂
★★★★★
Hey there! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after checking through
some of the post I realized it’s new to me.
Anyhow, I’m definitely glad I found it and I’ll be bookmarking and checking back frequently!
Looks really good
Wow! These cookies are amazing!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
I’m just marveling at how absolutely perfect these look! It makes me wish it was Christmas season again so I could make them. Lovely.
These look perfect! Thanks for the recipe.
Just made these! I followed the recipe exactly but my cookies didn’t come out with big cracks, and they seem to be a lighter brown. They still taste delicious though and are quite addictive!
Hi Camille! The color may be lighter or darker depending on the particular brand of molasses and/or cocoa you use… But I’m really surprised you didn’t have any cracks on top!
Either way, I’m so glad you liked them! 🙂
Gosh those look delicious! They look like a hybrid snickerdoodle 🙂 I’m going to have to try these soon!
I hope you do! Let me know how you like them… Merry Christmas!!
These cookies look delightful! Love that you used fresh ginger in them!
Thank you, Laura! I love the combination of using both fresh ginger and dried, ground ginger… Merry Christmas!!
Soft and chewy is the only way to go with ginger cookies…well any cookies in my books. Merry Christmas!
I completely agree! Merry Christmas to you too!
Gosh your photography is UNREAL!! So beautiful, and these cookies look amazing. Have a Merry Christmas Laura!
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Chelsea, you are so sweet! Thank you and have a merry merry Christmas too! 🙂
one of my favorite holiday cookies!
Me too! Merry Christmas!
Big chewy ginger cookies are my favourite! These are perfect, Laura.
Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Thanks, Angie! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too!
Those cookies look absolutely fantastic! I want an entire batch right this moment!
Thank you, Jocelyn! They are quite addictive 🙂 Merry Christmas!