Chewy Ginger Snaps Cookies recipe

Chewy Ginger Snap Cookies have a bold ginger flavor and irresistibly chewy texture. They are fun and easy to make at home!

Gingersnap cookies are unforgettable. With a big, bold flavor of ginger and other spices, they really stand out making them a favorite holiday cookie for cookie exchanges.

Whether eating them on their own with a cup of coffee or making them into something else, like a pie crust or cheesecake crust, they are a delicious and versatile cookie. 

This gingersnap cookie recipe is based on a vintage recipe and has been updated for a perfect combination of flavor, texture and appearance. We add a powerhouse flavor ingredient that really makes this a favorite cookie recipe.

They also can be made into a fully chewy cookie or a cookie with a crisp edge and chewy middle with one ingredient change!

Jump to:

• What are Ginger Snaps?
• Why you’ll love this gingersnap cookie recipe
• Recipe Ingredients Notes
• How to Make Chewy Gingersnaps – Step-by-Step
• Why Chill the Cookie Dough?
• How to Store
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• Recipe

What are Ginger Snaps?

Ginger Snaps, also known as Gingersnaps, Ginger Biscuits or Ginger Nuts in the UK, are cookies flavored with powdered ginger, as well as other spices such as cinnamon and usually molasses. They have a strong flavor of ginger.

When purchased in the store they are a brittle cookie with a distinct ‘snap’ when biting into them or breaking them.

The brittle texture makes them perfect for grinding into crumbs for other uses along with dunking in coffee or just eating them.

Ginger Snaps are usually a small reddish-brown cookie with crackly tops.

Why you’ll love this gingersnap cookie recipe

• The cookies have a soft chewy texture unlike brittle hard gingersnaps from the store.
• The texture is pleasing and easier to eat then their brittle counterpart.
• In addition to the classic spices, these cookies also have diced crystallized ginger with bring another level of bold ginger flavor to the cookie.
• They stay soft in an airtight container at room temperature.
• Easy recipe.
• The ginger flavor gets stronger the day after baking.

Recipe Ingredients Notes

The ingredients for Ginger Snap cookies are much the same as other cookies. The spices and molasses are what give them their classic flavor.

Unsalted Butter. Start with softened butter.

Sugar. We use a combination of equal amounts of granulated sugar and light brown sugar.

Molasses. Use regular unsulphured molasses (like ‘Grandma’s’ brand) not blackstrap molasses.

Baking Soda. See the notes on baking soda vs baking powder below. The cookies can be made with 2 teaspoons baking soda for the chewiest results or a combination of the two for a crispy outer area and chewy middle.

All Purpose Flour. Regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend can be used. For gluten-free baking we always use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 flour blend.

Spices. The classic spices to give gingersnaps their flavor are ground cloves, ground ginger and cinnamon.

Kosher Salt. We recommend kosher salt as it has a better less salty flavor than table salt.

Crystallized Ginger. This is the powerhouse ginger ingredient that separates this cookie recipe from the rest! More below.

Baking Powder vs Baking Soda

This recipe was a vintage recipe from a magazine and originally included only baking soda which is typical in gingersnaps recipes. The baking soda makes the ginger snap cookie chewy instead of brittle with a snap.

We tested a number of variations to get the cookies ‘just right’ for flavor, texture and appearance.

In my recipe testing I found the cookies spread more when using baking soda. Baking powder helps them keep their shape.

If using a mix of baking powder and baking soda the end cookie is well formed, nicely crackles with a crisp area around the edges and chewy middle.

If you want a truly chewy ginger snap use all baking soda. For a more uniform cookie with a combination of snap and chewy center use half baking soda and half baking powder.

Crystallized Ginger

Also called ‘candied ginger‘, this form of ginger has been cooked in a sweet simple syrup and rolled in sugar.

It has a gummy to semi-hard texture and comes in small pieces in a spice bottle or in a bag.

You’ll find this ginger with the spices or baking supplies at the grocery store. Keep it well sealed to prevent it drying out and becoming too hard to chop.

Making them Gluten-Free

The only ingredient that is not naturally gluten-free is the flour. I prefer to use a measure-for-measure style gluten-free flour blend.

These gluten-free flour blends are designed to swap into traditional recipes and produce the same results as all purpose gluten flour.

There are multiple brands that make this type of flours. Our recommendation and the only GF flour we now use for baking recipes is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Flour.

How to Make Chewy Gingersnaps – Step-by-Step

STEP 1. Make the dough

In a large bowl combine the baking soda (and baking powder if using), flour, and spices. Whisk to combine (photo 1).

In a second bowl using a hand mixer (or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment) cream together the softened butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar on medium speed (photo 2).

Slowly beat in the molasses and egg to the mixture (photo 3). Do not overmix.

Slowly add the dry ingredients beating on low speed to fully incorporate (photo 4-5). Stir in the crystallized ginger.

STEP 2. Chill dough

Cover with plastic wrap and chill the dough until stiff (1-2 hours).

STEP 3. Make the cookies

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop gingersnap cookie dough into1-inch balls (alternatively you can shape dough by hand). Roll dough balls between palms of your hands to smooth (photo 6).

Roll each ball of dough in granulated sugar (photos 6-7). Place on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart (photo 7).

STEP 4. Bake

Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes. After baking, allow cookies to sit on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely (photo 8).

Why Chill the Cookie Dough?

Chilling cookie dough does three important things:

1. Solidified the fat so when baked the cookies don’t spread as much. Chilled butter won’t liquefy as quickly as room temperature butter. So the cookies hold their shape better.
2. Makes the flavor more concentrated. Sugar is absorbent and will soak in the flavors when chilled. This creates a more flavor-dense cookie when baked.
3. Creates a chewier cookie. When dough has been chilled it will create a more textured cookie rather than a soft, doughy texture.This also has to do with the sugar absorbing other ingredients during the chilling period.

How to Store

In an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks. 

Can also be frozen for up to 6 months.

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Recipe

Originally published: September 17, 2013

Ginger Snaps are a delicious, classic cookie with bold spicy flavors you’ll love!