Chewy Ginger Snap cookies have a bold ginger flavor and irresistibly chewy texture. They are fun and easy to make at home!
Ginger Snap cookies are unforgettable. With a big, bold flavor of ginger and other spices, they really stand out.
Whether eating them on their own or making them into something else, like a pie crust or cheesecake crust, they are a delicious and versatile cookie.
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 crackling on the top.
Chewy Ginger Snaps
This recipe is based on a vintage Ginger Snap recipe to make a chewy version.
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 are easy and fun to make too.
Chewy Ginger Snap Ingredients
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
- Granulated Sugar
- Molasses
- Egg
- Baking Powder
- All Purpose Flour, regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure style flour blend
- Ground Cloves
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Cinnamon
- Kosher Salt
- Crystallized Ginger
Baking Powder vs Baking Soda
This recipe was a vintage recipe from a magazine and originally included baking soda.
In my recipe testing I found the cookies spread and were thin when using baking soda.
Baking powder tends to allow cookies to keep their shape better.
For this chewy ginger snap recipe it allows keeping a perfect thickness to make a fantastic texture for the cookie.
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.
You’ll find this ginger with the spices or baking supplies at the grocery store.
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. One I recommend after much use is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1-to-1 Flour.
How to Make Chewy Ginger Snaps – Step-by-Step
STEP 1: Combine the baking powder, flour and dry spices in a bowl.
STEP 2: In a second bowl (or bowl of a standing mixer) cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar.
STEP 3: Slowly add the molasses and egg to the mixture in STEP 2. Do not overmix.
STEP 4: Slowly add the dry ingredients beating on low speed to fully incorporate. Stir in the crystallized ginger.
STEP 5: Cover and chill the dough until stiff (1-2 hours).
STEP 6: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 7: Roll the ginger snap dough into 1-inch diameter balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar. Place on prepared baking sheet 2 inches apart.
STEP 8: 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.
Why Chill the Cookie Dough?
Chilling cookie dough does three important things:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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Originally published: September 17, 2013
Ginger Snaps are a delicious, classic cookie with bold spicy flavors you’ll love!
Kelly says
A total repeat! These are some of the best gf cookies ever. People who arent fond of molasses will likely enjoy theses because of the ginger.
Laura Reese says
These cookies are so good. I love the flavors.
Erin says
I love ginger snaps. This looks like a delicious version of them, must make asap! 🙂
Anna says
Chewy cookies are my favorite! These are wonderful!
Anita says
I’m more familiar with the easy to snap ginger snaps, but I also love chewy cookies, like those chewy chocolate chips cookies. Definitely will give this chewy version a try. 🙂
Jamielyn says
One of my favorite cookies! The perfect Christmas dessert!