Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are a holiday must-bake! Soft, chewy, and brimming with warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, they’re the perfect festive treat. The signature crinkle effect makes them a showstopper on any dessert table, while the delightful flavors will fill your home with all the cozy holiday vibes you’ve been waiting for. Get ready to make these gingerbread crinkle cookies a new tradition!

Love holiday cookies? If you are looking for more Christmas cookie recipes, try my Vegan Snowball Cookies for a delightfully soft and chewy treat, or indulge in Christmas Spritz Cookies for a classic, buttery, and festive flavor. You might also love my Vegan Gingersnap Cookies for a warm, spicy winter delight.

Gingerbread crinkle cookies have been a holiday tradition for generations, especially during Christmas or the colder months from November through February when everything feels cozy and sweet. With their rich blend of spices and a soft, chewy center, these crinkle cookies are a perfect addition to your holiday baking list, making them a staple at festive gatherings, cookie exchanges, or for enjoying with a hot cup of cocoa.

I’ve always loved the festive flavor of gingerbread, but these crinkle cookies take it to another level with their crackled, powdered sugar coating. If you’re like me and enjoy baking seasonal treats, this recipe will quickly become a go-to during the holiday season. Whether hosting a Christmas gathering or simply craving something sweet, these gingerbread crinkle cookies will surely hit the spot!

Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Packed with Flavor: The warm spices and molasses bring all the classic gingerbread taste you love.
• Quick and Easy: You don’t need to be a pro to nail this ginger crinkle cookie recipe. It’s straightforward and beginner-friendly.
• Perfectly Festive: That crinkled powdered sugar coating screams holiday cheer.
• Vegan-Friendly: With plant-based margarine and applesauce, they’re a treat everyone can enjoy.
• Soft and Chewy: These cookies are tender, soft, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious every time.

What Are Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies?

Gingerbread crinkle cookies are a festive treat that combines the cozy flavors of gingerbread with a soft, chewy texture. Made with molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, they create a warm, spiced flavor perfect for the holiday season. These cookies are rolled in powdered sugar before baking, and as they cook, the sugar cracks, resulting in a charming crinkled effect on top. They are a simple yet delicious treat, enjoyed during holiday gatherings or cozy moments at home.

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Brown Sugar: Brings a warm, caramel-like sweetness to the cookies. If you’re out, dark brown sugar, all natural cane sugar, granulated sugar, or coconut sugar is a great swap.
• Plant-Based Margarine: I love using Earth Balance for its buttery flavor, but other brands of margarine, vegan butter, or coconut oil is a good alternative if that’s what you have on hand.
• Molasses: This is the magic ingredient for that signature gingerbread flavor. No molasses? Dark brown sugar or maple syrup can step in, but the taste will be slightly different.
• Vanilla Extract or Vanilla Bean Paste: Enhances the flavors. If you prefer, you can skip this or use a splash of almond extract for a twist.
• Apple Sauce: Keeps the cookies moist and acts as a natural binder. If you’re in a pinch, pumpkin puree is a handy replacement.
• All-Purpose Flour: It provides structure. If you need a gluten-free version, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Baking Powder: This helps the crinkle cookies rise a bit, giving them a light texture. If you don’t have baking powder, you can substitute it with baking soda but reduce the amount to 1/4 teaspoon.
• Salt: It balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors. You can use kosher salt, which is perfect for baking.
• Spices (Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger): These spices bring the cozy holiday vibes. Feel free to adjust the amounts to your taste or to use your favorite gingerbread spice to make these delicious gingerbread crinkle cookies recipe!

How to Make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

Preheat and Prep: Heat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cream the Wet Ingredients In a large bowl, cream the brown sugar and margarine until fluffy. Next, add the molasses, vanilla extract, and apple sauce and mix to combine.

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger.

Mix the Dough: Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.

Roll and Coat: Scoop two tablespoons of cookie dough and roll into a ball. Next, roll the cookie dough ball in sugar to coat the cookie dough in powdered sugar. Rolling the dough in sugar and powdered sugar helps the cookies achieve their crinkle exterior.

Bake cookies: Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet or cookie sheet, leaving room to spread. Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will look soft and slightly underbaked but firm as they cool. Pull the cookies out when they still look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool, staying soft and chewy inside.

Allergy-Friendly Options

• Gluten-Free: Swap out all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free blend to make this ginger cookie recipe gluten-free friendly.
• Nut-Free: Use a nut-free plant-based margarine (like canola-based options) and ensure no cross-contamination with nut-derived products.
• Oil-Free: Replace the plant-based margarine with additional applesauce. This makes the cookies softer and lower in fat.
• Soy-Free: The crinkle cookie recipe is naturally soy-free, but double-check the margarine you’re using to ensure it contains no soy derivatives.

Recipe Variations and Add-Ons

Do you want to get creative or add a personal touch to your gingerbread crinkle cookies? Here are a few fun ideas to make them even more irresistible:

• Chocolate Lovers: Mix in ½ cup of dairy-free chocolate chips for sweetness and melty goodness.
• Spicy Kick: Add some finely chopped candied ginger if you’re craving a little extra zing to balance the sweetness.
• Nutty Crunch: Toss in ¼ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for a delicious crunch and a nutty twist.
• Coconut Twist: Mix in ¼ cup of shredded coconut for a tropical twist that enhances the chewy texture while complementing the gingerbread flavors.
• Caramel Drizzle: Once baked, drizzle a bit of dairy-free caramel sauce over the top of each crinkle cookie for a sweet, gooey finish.

These tweaks let you customize the gingerbread crinkle cookies to suit your taste or impress your guests with something unique!

What Can I Serve with Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies?

These cookies are perfect for cozy moments and pair wonderfully with warm drinks or festive spreads. Here are a few serving ideas to make the most of them:

• Vegan Hot Carob or Chocolate: Enjoy them with a steaming mug for the ultimate winter comfort.
• Hot Lemonade: Sip on a fragrant hot lemonade, where the sweet lemon in the drink perfectly complement the gingerbread cookie flavors.
• Hot Apple Cider: Enjoy with a warm mug of spiced apple cider, where the tart apple flavor balances the sweetness of the cookies.
• Holiday Charcuterie Board: Add them to your board for a delightful mix of sweet and savory treats.

Whether curling up by the fire or hosting a holiday gathering, these pairings will make your cookies shine!

Tools and Equipment

Mixing Bowls: You’ll need one for the wet ingredients and another for the dry.

Cookie Scoop: This handy tool keeps your cookies evenly sized and picture-perfect.

Baking Sheet: My favorite baking sheets for cookies is Nordic Ware Half Sheets. They ensure the cookies are baked evenly.

Parchment Paper: A must for preventing sticking and making cleanup quick and hassle-free. Another option is to use these reusable silicon baking mats.

How to Store Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Refrigerator Storage: If you need to keep the cookies longer, you can store them in the fridge for up to 7 days. Ensure they’re in an airtight container to prevent them from drying out.
• Freezer Storage: Freeze the dough balls or baked cookies for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, reheat the baked cookies in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes to return their fresh-from-the-oven goodness.

Tips and Tricks to Make the Best Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies

• Chill the Dough: If the dough feels too sticky or tricky to roll, pop it in the fridge. This makes shaping much easier.
• Use Fresh Spices: Fresh spices make all the difference. They’ll give your cookies that warm, vibrant flavor.
• Avoid Overbaking: Pull the cookies out when they still look slightly underdone. They’ll firm up as they cool, staying soft and chewy inside.
• Roll the Dough Properly: Make sure to coat the dough balls evenly with both granulated and powdered sugar for that perfect crinkled finish.
• Keep Cookie Size Consistent: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form uniform dough balls, ensuring even baking.

Nutritional Health Benefits of Ginger

Ginger, the star spice in these cookies, brings more than just flavor. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can aid digestion and support overall wellness. With its high levels of antioxidants, ginger helps combat oxidative stress, making these cookies a feel-good treat you can savor with less guilt. So, as you bake up a batch of these festive cookies, you’re not just indulging in a holiday tradition, you are adding a touch of wellness to your holiday celebrations. (1)

FAQs

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes! Just swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking mix, and you’re good to go.

Why roll the dough in two types of sugar?

The granulated sugar gives the cookies a crisp outer layer, while the powdered sugar creates that classic crinkle pattern we all love.

Can I prep the dough ahead of time?

You bet! You can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Just let it soften a bit before rolling and baking.

Can I use a different type of sugar?

Yes! If you prefer, you can swap the brown sugar with coconut sugar or maple sugar. The texture might be slightly different, but they’ll still taste amazing.

How can I make these cookies softer?

If you like softer cookies, bake them until the edges turn golden, but still look underbaked. They’ll stay soft in the middle as they cool.

Can I freeze the cookie dough?

For sure! Freeze the dough balls for up to 3 months. When ready, just pop them on a baking sheet and bake as usual (no need to thaw).

Can I add other spices?

Absolutely! You can play with spices like all-spice or coriander to give these cookies a little warmth and flavor.

Watch My Gingerbread Crinkle Cookie Recipe Video

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Sources:

1. Leech, J. (2021, March 19). 11 Proven health benefits of ginger. Healthline.