Gingerbread Snickerdoodles

Cookie season is in full swing which means my kitchen is beginning to look like a full on cookie factory! I’ve made everything from peppermint brownie cookies to snow covered crinkle cookies and sprinkle-spiked sugar cookies. I’m craving ALL the cookies but these Gingerbread Snickerdoodles just took the top spot for my favorite holiday cookie. I’m telling you – these cookies are so good you won’t even want to share!

What is a gingerbread snickerdoodle?

Gingerbread Snickerdoodles, otherwise known as gingerdoodles, are your favorite cinnamon sugar cookies with the addition of ginger and molasses. My husband declared them the best cookie I’ve made this year and given that I’m tempting him on the daily with my latest and greatest cookie creation, that’s saying something. These cookies are a soft, buttery, chewy twist on a favorite holiday cookie! One bite and you’ll be hooked!!

What makes these cookies so good?

There’s a long list of things to love about these cookies. Here’s a few reasons why they’re my go-to holiday cookie:

• A delicious holiday twist on a classic cookie. If a gingerbread cookie and a snickerdoodle had a baby, this would be it. They’re perfectly spiced with that signature snickerdoodle crackle. What’s not to love?
• Made with brown butter for an added depth of flavor. Brown butter makes everything better and these gingerbread snickerdoodles are no exception! If you need a little help in the brown butter department, check out this post.
• A soft and chewy cookie that stays fresh for days. Perfect for Christmas cookie boxes and for shipping to friends and family near and far for the holidays!

Ingredients

These cookies are a cinch to make with just a handful of simple ingredients. Here’s your shopping list:

• Butter – use a high quality unsalted butter for the most delicious cookies!
• Egg – just one large egg gives the cookies structure and chew. Make sure the egg is at room temperature.
• Sugar – we’re using both granulated sugar and light brown for texture and sweetness.
• Flour – to avoid making the cookies dry, be sure to measure your flour using a digital kitchen scale.
• Baking soda – for best results, check the label to make sure your baking soda is fresh.
• Spices – this recipe calls for ground cinnamon and ginger. Add a touch of grated fresh ginger for extra flavor or a pinch of ground cloves for a more robust flavor.
• Molasses – Reach for regular molasses (not blackstrap) for the best flavor. I love this one from Grandmas’s (not sponsored, just a fan).

How to make gingerbread snickerdoodles

You can make these cookies with just a bowl and a whisk but using an electric stand mixer helps speed things along. Make note that you will need allow time to chill the brown butter until firm. Feel free to brown the butter ahead of time and then mix the dough when time allows. Follow the step-by-step guide below and check the recipe card for the full ingredient list and instructions.

Step 1: To brown the butter, place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until butter has melted. Continue stirring often as butter begins to foam and crackle. Do not leave the butter unattended at this stage. Stir the butter as it sizzles and after about 4-5 minutes, bits of golden brown butter will fall to the bottom of the pan. The crackling sound will stop and the butter will be aromatic and amber in color.

Step 2: Remove the butter from the heat and pour it into a medium bowl, scraping down the pan to include the brown bits of butter at the bottom. Chill the butter in a the refrigerator for 45-60 minutes or until firm. Once chilled, remove the butter from the refrigerator and allow to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.

Step 3: Remove the butter from the refrigerator and transfer it to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the sugars and mix on medium high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl

Step 4: Add the molasses and mix until incorporated.

Step 5: Add the egg and vanilla mixing until fully incorporated. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Step 6: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt.

Step 7: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two additions. Mix on low speed until combined. Do not over mix.

Step 8: In a small bowl, whisk together sugar, cinnamon and ginger.

Step 9: Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop equal portions of dough. Roll each ball in the palms of your hands to form a ball. Roll the ball in the bowl of sugar and spices, making sure to coat all sides. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, leaving 2 to 3 inches between each cookie.

Step 10: Bake the cookies at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges are just set and the tops of the cookies are puffy and beginning to crack. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to cool on the sheet for 15 minutes.

Tips for the best snickerdoodles

These Gingerbread Snickerdoodles are the perfect holiday cookie. Made with the perfect amount of spice and the most incredible texture, I can almost guarantee these cookies won’t last five minutes on your kitchen counter. Follow the tips below for the most delicious cookies.

• Don’t skip the brown butter. The brown butter adds an added depth of flavor that really makes these cookies shine. It’s an extra step that is 100 percent worth it.
• Cover all sides of the cookie when rolling in the cinnamon sugar. To get those signature snickerdoodle crackles, make sure you give the cookie dough balls a good dunking in the cinnamon sugar. Sprinkle on a little extra after baking for added crunch.
• Do not overbake. The key to soft and chewy cookies is to keep them slightly underbaked. As the cookies cool, the residual heat from the cookie sheet will continue to bake the cookies. If you overbake them, the cookies will be hard and crunchy. For best results, remove the cookies from the oven when they are slightly puffy and under baked in the center.

How to serve gingerbread snickerdooles

The combination of brown butter, molasses and warm, cozy spices makes these cookies literally melt-in-your mouth. They’re begging to be served with a cup of warm tea by the fire or with a tall glass of milk as an after school treat on a cold winter day. Any way you serve them, I guarantee you’ll be back for seconds (and thirds!)

How to store cookies

Thanks to the molasses and brown sugar, these cookies will stay soft and fresh for several days after baking. Keep them stored tightly covered at room temperature. To freeze the cookies, cool completely and then wrap in a layer of plastic wrap. Place in a large freezer bag and lay flat in the freezer for up to 3 months. Defrost at room temperature before serving. They’re extra delicious if you heat them up in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes. Make yourself a hot toddy while you wait.

I hope you’ll add these cookies to the tippy top of your holiday baking list. I love them so much I have a feeling I’ll still be making these long after the holidays are over!

Happy holidays and happy baking!