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Soft Gingerbread Cookies are so soft and delicious. They are much easier to make than traditional gingerbread cookies and no rolling or cutting required. Just drop and go!

A close-up of several golden-brown chewy gingerbread cookies with crackled surfaces, dusted with a light layer of sugar. They are arranged on a piece of parchment paper.
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Gingerbread cookies make such a fabulous treat and they are such a classic Christmas cookie to enjoy. It seems to me that no cookie exchange would be complete without some gingerbread cookies.

Well I have a little bit of a spin for you. These are not cut out old fashioned gingerbread cookies. They aren’t crunchy either. These have a soft and chewy texture and super easy to make. If you love the flavor of gingerbread, try you might also like Gingerbread Pancakes.

Why We Love These Gingerbread Cookies

These Gingerbread Cookies are soft drop cookies that are very easy to make and they don’t make nearly the mess in the kitchen that traditional gingerbread cookies make.

You won’t buy those store bought cookies anymore after you try this easy recipe! It isn’t just for the holidays but great for year round. The kids love soft cookies and the prep time is minimal. Once you make homemade cookies, you will just how simple and easy it is.

It might sound fancy to make cookies from scratch but it is not hard at all. Give it a try and see how delicious the cookies are.

Ingredients

Baking ingredients for chewy gingerbread cookies are laid out on a marble surface: a bowl of flour, a bowl of sugar, a small bowl with yellow liquid, a small black liquid container, a plate with spices, and buttery essentials waiting to transform into deliciousness.
  • Flour – We used all purpose flour.
  • Ground Ginger – If you are out, see The Best Ginger Substitutes
  • Baking Soda – See The Best Baking Soda Substitutes if you are out
  • Butter – We used unsalted butter but you can also use margarine
  • Orange Juice – If you don’t have orange juice, you can always use water. The OJ just brings out the ginger flavor a little better. Don’t omit the liquid altogether though – this little bit of liquid is the secret to these super soft cookies.
  • Molasses – We used dark molasses and not Blackstrap Molasses. I did have to buy molasses, I used Grandma’s Molasses.
  • Spices – To give these cookies the classic flavor we used cinnamon and cloves. We have even added in crushed black pepper.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Use Cookie Cutters – You can also make gingerbread men or a gingerbread house with this cookie dough. Use a rolling pin to flatten dough to about 1/4-inch thick to use cookie cutter. This gingerbread cookies recipe is so easy to use several different ways. The kids love to decorate with royal icing during the holidays and it looks so festive.
  • Powdered Sugar – Try adding a dusting of powdered sugar. So pretty and tasty too!
  • Glaze – Add a white chocolate glaze or a cream cheese glaze once the cookies have rested. This adds flavor to the cookies and a beautiful design.

How to Make Soft Gingerbread Cookies

  • Step 1 – First, Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
A baking preparation scene for chewy gingerbread cookies features a whisk in a glass bowl of flour. Surrounding ingredients include a stick of unsalted butter, sugar, a small bowl of milk, and a cup of molasses on the white marble surface.

Step 2 – combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl- flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and kosher salt. Set aside.

A glass bowl with creamed butter and sugar sits on a marble countertop, surrounded by small bowls of vanilla extract, salt, flour, and orange juice—perfect for making chewy gingerbread cookies. A hand mixer is poised in the creamy mixture, ready for action.

Step 3 – In a large bowl, cream together butter and white sugar.

A glass mixing bowl filled with creamy, light brown batter for chewy gingerbread cookies sits alongside an electric mixer. In the background, a separate bowl holds a white, flour-like substance. The scene unfolds on a sleek white marble countertop.

Step 4 – Add egg, orange juice and molasses, stirring carefully until well combined.

A glass bowl filled with a crumbly brown mixture on a white marble surface hints at the beginning of chewy gingerbread cookies. The mixture appears to be cookie dough, ready to be transformed into warm, spiced delights.

Step 5 – Now it is time to slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Thick dough will form.

A baking sheet lined with parchment paper holds six sugar-coated cookie dough balls, promising chewy gingerbread cookies to come. A small bowl of sugar sits invitingly on the sheet, ready for the sprinkle before baking. The surface is a light marble pattern, adding elegance to the preparation scene.

Step 6 – Drop dough by rounded teaspoon into sugar. You can also use a cookie scoop. Roll to cover in sugar, then place on cookie sheet. Set cookies about 2-inches apart.

A grid of 24 freshly baked chewy gingerbread cookies with a golden-brown, cracked surface, cooling on a wire rack placed on a marble countertop. A blue and white patterned cloth is partially visible in the bottom left corner.

Step 7 – Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. The cookies will spread out and flatten a bit. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before removing to wire rack. Don’t skip this step or the cookies could crumble.

Expert Tips

  • Cookie Dough Balls – If you are still scooping cookies with two spoons, you really need to get yourself some stainless steel scoops. I bought the 3 pack and used the smallest of the 3 scoops for these cookies (and almost all my cookies) and they were just the right size for adults and kids.
  • Combining Ingredients – You will need a stand mixer with paddle attachment or a hand-held mixer on medium speed. Either of these will work but I prefer my stand mixer. It makes everything even easier and definitely gets plenty of use.
  • Baking Time – Make sure to keep an eye on the cookies. If you cook them too long, they will not be soft. That is why it is important to make cookie dough about the same size.
  • Rest Baked Cookies – Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. This will help to cookies settle and prevent them from breaking. I love the cookies warm. They are amazing served this way. Add decorations after cookies have cooled.
  • Prepare Baking Sheet – We recommend to line the baking sheet with parchment paper or use a silicone mat before baking cookies. This helps for cleanup and to easily remove the cookies from the pan.
A close-up of a stack of five sugar-coated, golden-brown cookies with a cracked texture sits on a white surface. These chewy gingerbread cookies have other delectable treats blurred in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes Gingerbread Cookies Hard or Soft?

Gingerbread cookies are usually soft cookies but they can be hard if the cookies are baked to long. Make sure to watch closely when baking and your cookies are perfectly soft.

How to Store Leftover Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread cookies will stay soft for 3-4 days as long as you store them at room temperature in an airtight container. Ours don’t last long though because everyone loves them so much.

Can I Freeze Gingerbread Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these gingerbread cookies. I like to flash freeze the cookies on a single layer and then put them in an airtight container for the freezer. This helps the cookies not to stick together and preserves their appearance as well. The cookies will stay fresh for up to 3 months. This is the perfect to prepare ahead of time.

Can I Make Dough Ahead of Time?

Yes, if you want to prepare the gingerbread cookie dough ahead of time, this will save you time. Chill the dough in the fridge overnight and then bake the chilled dough next day. Make sure to cover the bowl with plastic wrap while storing in the fridge.

A plate full of freshly baked, chewy gingerbread cookies is stacked neatly on a white plate. The cookies have a crinkled surface and a light dusting of sugar. A blue and white patterned cloth peeks from the corner against a marble background.

We love to hear from you. If you make Soft Gingerbread Cookies, please leave us a comment or a star review.

A close-up of three stacked chewy gingerbread cookies on a white plate, with the top cookie broken to reveal a delightful, soft interior. The background features more cookies on a raised stand and a blue patterned cloth. Two cinnamon sticks are in the foreground.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

4.95 from 17 votes
Skip the old fashion Gingerbread cookies. Try this delicious soft and chewy gingerbread cookies recipe today. It wont disappoint!
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 24
Cuisine American
Course Dessert
Calories 113

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • In a small bowl, combine all dry ingredients – flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar.
  • Add egg, orange juice and molasses, stirring carefully until well combined.
  • Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture, thick dough will form.
  • Drop dough by rounded teaspoon into sugar. Roll to cover, then place on cookie sheet. Set cookies about 2-inches apart.
  • Bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes. The cookies will spread out and flatten a bit. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for a couple of minutes before removing to wire rack.

Recipe Notes

You should add these soft and chewy ginger bread cookies to your holiday baking list!

Nutrition Facts

Calories 113kcal, Carbohydrates 20g, Protein 1g, Fat 3g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 14mg, Sodium 99mg, Potassium 68mg, Sugar 11g, Vitamin A 95IU, Vitamin C 0.3mg, Calcium 12mg, Iron 0.8mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

4.95 from 17 votes (13 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    1 batch makes approximately 24 cookies

  2. Dorothy Stefanik says:

    Approximately how many cookies does 1 batch of dough make?

  3. Carrie Barnard says:

    I love the addition of the orange juice. It complements the sweetness in the cookies well and adds just a slight bit of tanginess to the cookies that I love! I hope you try it out.

  4. Craig says:

    What is the purpose of the orange juice? Would it be ok to leave out?
    The recipe sounds really good. Just curious about oj

  5. Roxie says:

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe, definitely will make again

  6. Patrina says:

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe! Easy to make. I added twice the ginger and folded in finely chopped candied ginger. So good!

  7. Donna Whiting says:

    5 stars
    Such a great flavor. Cookies are always good.

  8. Karen Voigt says:

    5 stars
    These were so easy to make and delicious.

  9. Melissa says:

    How many cookies does a batch of dough make? Thank you.