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Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for the Holiday Cookie Swap

Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for the Holiday Cookie Swap
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Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies for the Holiday Cookie Swap combine classic holiday spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with molasses and brown sugar to create chewy, soft cookies with a beautiful powdered sugar crinkle coating. Perfectly balanced with sweet and spice, these festive cookies are simple to make and ideal for sharing at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses

Coating

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (for rolling and coating)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Wet Ingredients: Start by creaming the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then mix in the molasses until everything is well combined. This mixture forms the rich, flavorful base of your dough.
  2. Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to ensure an even distribution of spices and leaveners for balanced flavor and texture.
  3. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined into a soft dough. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness in the cookies.
  4. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Chilling firms the dough for easier handling and allows flavors to meld.
  5. Shape and Coat Cookies: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop dough balls about one tablespoon each, roll them thoroughly in powdered sugar until fully coated, then place them spaced apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. The powdered sugar coating will crack as the cookies expand, producing the iconic crinkled appearance.
  7. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps set the cookies properly without breaking.

Notes

  • Chill your dough to prevent spreading and create better crackles.
  • Use fresh or recently ground spices for the best flavor.
  • Don’t skip rolling the dough balls in powdered sugar – it’s essential for the crinkle effect.
  • Measure flour carefully by spooning into the cup and leveling to avoid tough cookies.
  • Bake on the middle rack for even heat and optimal texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, crinkle cookies, ginger, molasses, Christmas cookies, chewy cookies, holiday baking

Find it online: https://withnora.com/gingerbread-crinkle-cookies-for-the-holiday-cookie-swap/