By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 5, 2023
This homemade Ginger Cookies recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie exchanges! Chewy, super moist ginger crinkle cookies are filled with flavor from ground ginger, molasses, cinnamon, and more. The best part is how they make your home smell like Christmas as they bake!
Why We Love This Ginger Cookies Recipe
Easy to make with just a handful of ingredients, perfectly spiced ginger crinkles are wintertime favorites.
- Unique. We all love gingerbread cookies , but these ginger-forward cookies have a subtler and fresher taste for a new twist on an old classic.
- Flavorful. A medley of ground cinnamon, apple pie spice, ground ginger, and ground cloves gives them a warm, spicy flavor.
- Crunchy. Rolling the cookies in sugar before baking gives them a crunchy coating that perfectly contrasts their moist, chewy interior.
How to Store
These ginger cookies will keep in an airtight container for about 3 days at room temperature and up to 5 days in the fridge.
How to Freeze
You can also freeze cooled ginger crinkle cookies on a baking sheet and then transfer them to a freezer bag. Thaw the cookies at room temperature or in the microwave.
Serving Suggestions
Ginger cookies are perfect for cookie exchanges or for leaving out on Christmas Eve for Santa Claus! Serve them alongside other classic treats, like Christmas bark , Christmas sugar cookies , or Christmas crack .
These cookies don’t take long to bake. The edges should be firm and just ever-so-slightly browned. Ovens tend to run at different temperatures, so start checking them after around 10 minutes for doneness. I like to slightly under-bake these cookies so they stay soft and chewy.
Part of the chewiness depends on how long they’re baked (see question above); over-baked cookies aren’t very chewy. Because of the molasses in the cookies, they’re generally extra-moist. The sugar crinkle coating gives them an extra bit of crispiness on the outside, which contrasts so nicely with the chewiness inside.
This step is optional! However, I do love that delicate crunch that the sugar on the outside of the cookie creates. You could always use turbinado sugar instead for a bigger crunch.
More Christmas Cookie Recipes To Try
- Hershey Kiss Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
- Linzer Cookies
- Gingerbread Kiss Cookies
- Pignoli Cookies
- Spritz Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
5-Star Review
“These cookies are addicting. They are amazing.” – Micah
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ▢ ½ teaspoon apple pie spice store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 1 teaspoon ground ginger 3 grams
- ▢ ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ▢ ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ▢ ¾ cup vegetable shortening 138 grams (¾ stick) – SEE NOTE
- ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams, plus more for dipping
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses 43 grams
- ▢ 1 large egg 50 grams
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- In another medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the shortening for 30 seconds. ¾ cup vegetable shortening
- Add the sugar and beat until fully blended, about 2 minutes. 1 cup granulated sugar
- Add the molasses and egg. Beat until combined 1-2 minutes. 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses, 1 large egg
- Add the dry ingredients all at once.
- Beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are moist.
- Shape into 1½-inch balls.
- Dip each ball into cold water and shake off excess water.
- Roll the wet ball in sugar. (For a lighter coating of sugar, don’t dip in the water first).
- Place dough balls 3 inches apart on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes. (The cookie should be just a little underbaked when you take them out of the oven.)
- Remove immediately from the cookie tray and place on cooling racks.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- Shortening: You can swap the shortening for unsalted butter . The texture will be slightly different but they will still be delicious!
- Don’t overmix the dough . The wet and dry ingredients should be just barely combined.
- Leave about 3 inches of space between each ball of cookie dough on the baking sheet. They will spread during baking.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Ginger Cookies Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour 240 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking soda 6 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon apple pie spice store-bought or homemade
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger 3 grams
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup vegetable shortening 138 grams (¾ stick) - SEE NOTE
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200 grams, plus more for dipping
- 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses 43 grams
- 1 large egg 50 grams
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Combine the flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl; set aside. 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- In another medium-sized bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the shortening for 30 seconds. ¾ cup vegetable shortening
- Add the sugar and beat until fully blended, about 2 minutes. 1 cup granulated sugar
- Add the molasses and egg. Beat until combined 1-2 minutes. 2 tablespoons unsulphured molasses, 1 large egg
- Add the dry ingredients all at once.
- Beat on low speed just until dry ingredients are moist.
- Shape into 1½-inch balls.
- Dip each ball into cold water and shake off excess water.
- Roll the wet ball in sugar. (For a lighter coating of sugar, don’t dip in the water first).
- Place dough balls 3 inches apart on a parchment paper-covered cookie sheet.
- Bake for 11-14 minutes. (The cookie should be just a little underbaked when you take them out of the oven.)
- Remove immediately from the cookie tray and place on cooling racks.
Notes
- Shortening: You can swap the shortening for unsalted butter . The texture will be slightly different but they will still be delicious!
- Don’t overmix the dough . The wet and dry ingredients should be just barely combined.
- Leave about 3 inches of space between each ball of cookie dough on the baking sheet. They will spread during baking.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
