Gingersnaps Recipe (2024)

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Classic Gingersnaps with a bold cinnamon and ginger-spiced flavor, crispy edges and a chewy center are easy to make and the perfect holiday cookie!

Gingersnaps Recipe (1)

Gingersnaps

Another classic Christmas cookie recipe, Gingersnaps are always a holiday hit and a family favorite. My grandma has been making these using this recipe for as long as I can remember, and we all love them.

Gingersnaps are a spicy cookie with a unique flavor from molasses, cinnamon and lots of ginger. My favorite gingersnaps are ones with a little crunch on the outside but are chewy in the center.

If you're more of an ALL crunchy or ALL chewy kind of person, don't worry. I'll tell you exactly how to make your favorite using this recipe (and it has nothing to do with bake time! No one likes a burnt cookie!)

Gingersnaps vs. Gingerbread

What's the difference between gingersnaps and gingerbread?

Gingersnaps are actually a variation of the traditional holiday classic, gingerbread. Both are spiced cookies.

The main differences are that gingersnaps are typically rolled into balls, while gingerbread is rolled out and cut into shapes. Gingersnaps are also baked slightly longer, which is where they get their snappy crispiness. Gingerbread is typically a little chewier.

Can I Use All Butter?

Yes, you can! Be aware that using all butter will make your cookie very chewy with very little crunch.

Use room temperature butter and simply substitute it for the shortening.

Gingersnaps Recipe (2)

Can You Freeze Gingersnaps?

Yes! Freeze baked gingersnaps in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

To freeze unbaked cookies, roll dough into balls. Place on a baking sheet, and freeze 4-6 hours, until frozen through. When you're ready to bake, roll them in sugar, and place 2-inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Bake at the same temperature for about 2 extra minutes (so about 13-15 minutes). No need to thaw!

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Gingersnaps Recipe (3)

Gingersnaps

Classic Gingersnaps with a bold cinnamon and ginger-spiced flavor, crispy edges and a chewy center are easy to make and the perfect holiday cookie!

5 from 20 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Classic Gingersnaps, Gingersnap Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 11 minutes minutes

Chill Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 48 cookies

Calories: 81kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 6 tablespoons shortening
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup sugar
  • cup light molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2⅓ cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ cup sugar to roll dough balls in

Instructions

Notes

  • Gingersnaps are a smaller cookie. They're only about 2-inches across once baked.
  • For a milder flavor, reduce the amount of ground ginger to 1 teaspoon.
  • Add a little extra goodness! Mix in some white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or candied ginger bits for a little something extra.
  • For super chewy cookies, use all butter. Omit the shortening, and use a full ¾ cup of room temperature butter.
  • For super crispy cookies, use all shortening. Omit the butter, and use a full ¾ cup shortening instead.
  • Make Ahead: Prepare dough up to 3 days in advance and store covered tightly in the refrigerator. Allow dough to sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before rolling into balls if it's been chilled for more than 8-12 hours.
  • Storage: Store at room temperature in an air tight container for up to 5 days. These cookies are best eaten fresh, the day they're baked.
  • Freezer Directions: Freeze baked gingersnaps in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. To freeze unbaked cookies, roll dough into balls. Place on a baking sheet, and freeze 4-6 hours, until frozen through. When you're ready to bake, roll them in sugar, and place 2-inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Bake at the same temperature for about 2 extra minutes (so about 13-15 minutes). No need to thaw!

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in November 2015. It has been republished in November 2019 with new photos, video, and detailed instructions.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Denisse Salinas says

    My all time favorite Christmas Cookie! LOVE!!!Also that I can freeze them! Perfect for our 2 people household!

    Reply

  2. Kate says

    Yummm these cookies look delicious! Making this tonight!

    Reply

  3. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    I could eat a whole plate of these right now. They look so delicious and full of my favourite flavours.

    Reply

  4. Deanne says

    Gingersnaps are my favorite Christmas cookie, so good!!!

    Reply

  5. Anita says

    Christmas is the time when I bake like truck loads of cookies, and gingersnaps is always a must. I love that you are using half shortening and half butter, the texture must be very similar to those from the bakeries. 🙂

    Reply

  6. Sunrita | spiceitupp says

    Perfect timing for this recipe. My daughter had picked up a readymade ginger cookies pack and I said her to keep it back so that we can make one from scratch at home. You know which recipe we will follow now 😊!

    Reply

  7. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says

    I love gingersnaps at this time of year! These look delicious and so full of flavour!

    Reply

  8. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

    I tried your recipe last night and loved it! Can't wait to make it again!

    Reply

  9. Erika says

    These cookies look so good! Going to make these with my kids. 🙂

    Reply

  10. Andrea Metlika says

    These look so good. I feel like I can smell the deliciousness from here.

    Reply

  11. Katie says

    Looks so good! I know my family will love these!!

    Reply

  12. Ben M says

    I love ginger snaps and this recipe is great. Thanks for including all of the awesome notes for those of us who might like super crispy ginger snaps! Works like a charm.

    Reply

  13. Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says

    I NEED to have these cookies every Christmas, so thank you for this recipe!
    ALSO, I have always been confused about the difference between gingersnaps and gingerbread, and no one really gave me a good answer, so thanks for your explanation!!

    Reply

  14. Carrie Robinson says

    Gingersnaps are one of my favorite cookies! These look perfect. 🙂

    Reply

  15. Tara says

    Yum! That texture looks perfect and I love those spices. Such a wonderful, classic cookie for the holidays.

    Reply

  16. Maddi M Korte says

    Delish

    Reply

  17. Whitney says

    That tip about the butter is gold! I prefer my gingersnaps chewy so this is so helpful, I honestly thought taking them out sooner would change the texture!

    Reply

  18. Shelby says

    The most delicious gingersnaps with the right amount of spice and best texture. Yum!

    Reply

  19. Elisa says

    Great recipe!!! Will make it for my family as we love cookies. Easy to make and delicious recipe. Thank you 🙂

    Reply

  20. Dana Sandonato says

    These are gorgeous! I love gingersnaps, can't wait to make these.

    Reply

  21. Gina Abernathy says

    These gingersnap cookies have become a family favorite. The edges of the cookies are my absolute favorite. I try to keep a jar full during the holidays.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Gingersnaps Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between gingerbread and gingersnaps? ›

Both are spiced cookies. The main differences are that gingersnaps are typically rolled into balls, while gingerbread is rolled out and cut into shapes. Gingersnaps are also baked slightly longer, which is where they get their snappy crispiness. Gingerbread is typically a little chewier.

Are ginger snaps healthier than other cookies? ›

In conclusion, ginger snaps cookies are not only delicious but also have some nutritional benefits. They contain important nutrients like iron, calcium, and fiber. Ginger, the key ingredient in these cookies, is known for its various health benefits, including aiding digestion and reducing inflammation.

What are gingersnap cookies made of? ›

Mix brown sugar, oil, molasses, and egg together in a large bowl. Combine flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the molasses mixture. Roll dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll each ball in white sugar before placing 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Do gingersnaps have a lot of sugar? ›

They're Lower in Sugar Than Some Other Cookies

One way to cut your sugar intake is to limit your intake of desserts, such as cookies. When you do have dessert, an ounce of ginger snaps will set you back 5.65 grams of sugar, which is equal to just less than 1 1/2 teaspoons.

Why is ginger snaps so good? ›

Because it has some excellent suspense sequences and a rather high amount of blood and gore. The werewolf is really cool looking,the acting by two lead girls(Emily Perkins,Katharine Isabelle)is excellent and the direction is well-handled. "Ginger Snaps" is a pure horror film,that is to be taken seriously.

How is ginger snaps good for you? ›

A serving of gingersnaps or gingerbread cookies provides roughly 1.8 milligrams of niacin -- 13 and 11 percent of the daily niacin intakes recommended for women and men, respectively. Both types of ginger cookies also contain folate, which is a vitamin needed for red blood cell production and healthy cell growth.

Why did my ginger snaps go flat? ›

If you use too much butter, the cookies will end up flat and greasy. And if you use too little flour, the amount of butter and sugar will be proportionally too high, meaning the cookies will spread for the aforementioned reasons.

Do gingersnap cookies go bad? ›

Unopened commercial gingersnap cookies can last up to 2-3 months past the date printed on their package, thanks to the added preservatives. Once opened, they should be consumed within 1-2 weeks for the best taste and texture, but you will usually have up to a month before noticing a stale flavor.

Why are they called ginger snaps? ›

These early ginger cookies originated in Europe and came with the German, Dutch, and English settlers to America. Gingersnaps were named from the German or Middle Dutch word snappen, meaning "to seize quickly."

What are the side effects of ginger snap cookies? ›

Diabetes: Cookies like ginger snaps, gingerbread cookies, or ginger biscuits contain large amounts of sugar. Too much sugar can cause spikes in blood sugar levels or long-term health issues like diabetes.

Are ginger snaps good for your stomach? ›

Some people find ginger shots, typically concentrated forms of ginger, effective in providing quick relief from nausea. Foods that contain ginger. Low-sugar gingersnap cookies and other ginger-infused snacks can be a pleasant way to consume ginger when experiencing stomach discomfort.

Are ginger snaps good for inflammation? ›

Homemade ginger snaps can make for a relatively healthy snack, as long as you keep an eye on what you're putting in them. Molasses is a good source of iron and calcium, while ginger has anti-inflammatory properties.

Are ginger nuts the same as gingerbread? ›

Around the middle of the nineteenth century, however, gingerbread nut was superseded by ginger nut. The element nut presumably refers to the biscuits' smallness and roundness (ginger nuts seem originally to have been smaller than their twentieth-century descendants).

Is gingerbread the same as ginger? ›

Originally, the term gingerbread (from Latin zingiber via Old French gingebras) referred to preserved ginger. It then referred to a confection made with honey and spices. Gingerbread is often used to translate the French term pain d'épices ( lit.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

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