# Gingery Crinkle Cookies > Bright, ginger-forward crinkle cookies with a soft, deeply spiced interior and a crackled powdered-sugar crust—perfect for sharing. They lean into the 2025 gingery cookie trend with extra fresh-spice warmth while staying easy to make and highly photogenic. Canonical URL: https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/gingery-crinkle-cookies ## Author Jake Woods https://www.topshelf.recipes/chef/jake-woods Published: June 22, 2026 Last Updated: September 3, 2026 ## About This Recipe Gingery Crinkle Cookies are unapologetically bold: this recipe leans into pure ginger flavor so the cookies taste bright and spicy rather than merely sweet. Two tablespoons of ground ginger and a touch of molasses give a warm, layered backbone while light brown sugar keeps the texture tender and slightly chewy. The visual payoff—a snowy powdered sugar crust scored with deep fissures—makes them one of the most photogenic weeknight bakes you can pull off without fuss. What makes this version work is balance and a couple of small technique choices. A brief 15-minute chill firms the dough just enough to encourage dramatic cracks without slowing the bake, and rolling tablespoon-size balls yields a soft interior with that signature crinkle. These are for people who like their cookies with a lively spice profile—perfect for holiday tins, afternoon tea, or an easy bake-along with friends. Adjust the ginger if you want it softer or dial in extra cinnamon for a rounder, warmer finish. ## Recipe Information - Prep Time: 20 minutes - Cook Time: 12 minutes - Total Time: 32 minutes - Servings: 6 - Difficulty: Easy - Category: Desserts ## Ingredients ### Cream butter, sugar, molasses and egg - 1/2 cup Unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup Light brown sugar, packed - 1/4 cup Molasses - 1 large Large egg ### Whisk dry ingredients - 2 cups All-purpose flour - 2 tbsp Ground ginger - 1 tsp Ground cinnamon - 1 tsp Baking soda - 1/2 tsp Salt ### Shape, roll in sugar and bake - 1/2 cup Powdered sugar (for rolling) ## Instructions ### 1. Cream butter, sugar, molasses and egg In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and light brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes. Add the molasses and beat until combined, then add the egg and mix until the mixture is glossy and smooth. ### 2. Whisk dry ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed. This ensures the raising agent and spices are well blended for consistent flavor and rise. ### 3. Combine dough and chill briefly Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with a spatula until just combined; the dough should be sticky and cohesive but not overworked. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up slightly—this helps the cookies hold their crinkle shape while baking. ### 4. Shape, roll in sugar and bake Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll each into a ball, then coat thoroughly in powdered sugar before placing 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets. Bake for 10–12 minutes until crinkles have spread and tops show fissures, then cool on the sheet 5 minutes and transfer to a rack to finish cooling. ## Nutrition Estimated nutrition per serving (2 cookies (70g)): - Calories: 298 kcal - Protein: 3.1 g - Carbohydrates: 47.4 g - Fat: 11.1 g - Saturated Fat: 6.4 g - Trans Fat: 0 g - Fiber: 0.3 g - Sugar: 29 g - Added Sugars: 9.4 g - Cholesterol: 50 mg - Sodium: 121 mg - Potassium: 160 mg - Calcium: 38 mg - Iron: 2 mg - Vitamin D: 0.1 mcg ## Tips ### Use room-temperature butter Soft butter creams with the brown sugar to trap air for a lighter cookie—too-cold butter won't incorporate well and too-warm butter makes the dough greasy. ### Chill briefly, not long A 15-minute chill firms the dough so crinkles form during baking; chill longer only if your kitchen is very warm, but let dough soften slightly before scooping. ### Pack brown sugar firmly Lightly pack the brown sugar into the measuring cup so you get the intended moisture and chew from the molasses in the sugar. ### Double-coat in sugar Roll each ball once, then press and roll again to get an even powdered-sugar layer that highlights contrast as the dough expands. ### Watch timing closely Bake until the tops show fissures but still look slightly underdone in the center; residual heat will finish them and keep the interior soft. ## Variations and Substitutions ### Gluten-free swap Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 GF flour blend that contains xanthan gum, and slightly rest the dough 10 minutes to hydrate before scooping. ### Spicy citrus twist Add 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest and swap 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger for 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom to brighten and layer the spice. ### Vegan molasses cookies Use a vegan butter and replace the egg with a flax egg (1 tbsp ground flax + 3 tbsp water), but chill the dough longer to firm it for rolling. ### Chocolate-ginger version Replace 1/4 cup of flour with Dutch-process cocoa powder and add 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips for a bittersweet, ginger-chocolate contrast. ## Notes These crinkle cookies are especially lovely for gatherings and cookie swaps—the crackled powdered-sugar tops make every cookie camera-ready. Home bakers will appreciate the straightforward dough and bold ginger flavor that holds up well when made ahead. ### Storage and Make-Ahead Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, layering parchment between stacks to preserve the powdered-sugar crust. For longer storage, freeze baked cookies in a single layer on a sheet then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature. You can also freeze unbaked, rolled, powdered-sugar-coated dough balls on a tray and finish baking from frozen, adding 1–2 extra minutes to the bake time. ### Serving Suggestions These cookies pair beautifully with robust black tea (Earl Grey or Assam) or a spiced latte to echo the ginger notes, and stand up well to a small cup of espresso for contrast. For a party, plate them with sliced candied ginger and segmented citrus to highlight the spice, or tuck into gift tins layered with parchment and a sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Why did my cookies spread too flat? Over-soft butter, under-measured flour, or dough left warm can all cause excess spreading; chill the dough briefly and ensure flour is measured properly (spoon and level). ### Can I substitute molasses? Dark corn syrup will provide moisture but not the same depth; for closest flavor use blackstrap or unsulphured molasses—light molasses will give a milder result. ### Dough too sticky to roll — help? Chill the dough another 10–20 minutes and lightly flour your hands; if still sticky, scoop with a spoon or cookie scoop and roll gently using a powdered-sugar-dusted surface. ### My powdered sugar lost its whiteness in the oven—why? If the powdered sugar melts into the surface rather than cracking, either it wasn't coated thickly enough or the oven was too hot; double-coat the balls and bake at the recommended temperature. ### Can I make the dough ahead? Yes—dough keeps in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours and develops flavor, or freeze shaped, sugared balls for up to 3 months and bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the bake time. ## Related Recipes and Guides - [Yuzu Matcha Gelato](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/yuzu-matcha-gelato) - [Sicilian Pistachio Gelato](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/sicilian-pistachio-gelato) - [Ninja Slushy Soft Serve Mango Sorbet Bowl with Lime](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/ninja-slushy-soft-serve-mango-sorbet-bowl-lime) - [Ninja Keto Avocado Lime Soft Serve — Low Sugar Slushy](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/ninja-keto-avocado-lime-soft-serve-low-sugar-slushy) - [Easy Peanut Butter Bars](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/easy-peanut-butter-bars) - [Chocolate Peanut Butter Chex Mix](https://www.topshelf.recipes/recipes/chocolate-peanut-butter-chex-mix) - [Grilled & Campfire Seasonal Sweets: 12 Crowd‑Favorite Desserts and How to Make Them Year‑Round](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/grilled-campfire-seasonal-sweets-12-recipes-year-round) - [Summer Weeknight Grilling Playbook: 4-Week Rotating Meal Plan with Quick Seasonal Recipes, Make‑Ahead Sides & Grill‑First Desserts](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/summer-weeknight-grilling-playbook-4-week-plan) - [Gluten-Free Weeknight Grilling Plan](https://www.topshelf.recipes/articles/gluten-free-weeknight-grilling-plan)