Gingersnap Cookie Recipe

Whether you call them Gingersnaps, Ginger Snaps, Ginger Doodles, Ginger Biscuits, or Ginger Nut, this Gingersnap Cookie Recipe is the BEST! They’re great any time of the year or especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas time!

This vintage recipe makes about 60 cookies and costs about $3.01 to make. This works out to only $0.05 per cookie.

They are perfect for arranging a cookie tray along with a variety of holiday classics such as these Peppermint Patties, Buckeye Candies, Pecan Snowball Cookies, and Christmas Divinity Candy.

Once fall hits, I like making batches and batches of these ginger snap cookies to have in my cookie jar from September all the way through Christmas. To dress these ginger snaps up for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I like to dip half of each cookie in white chocolate and cover them in festive sprinkles. My kids LOVE helping me with the sprinkles!

These Gingersnaps are a vintage recipe that will give you all the feels of your childhood as you bite into the soft and chewy cookies. The cookies are bursting with the perfect combination of cinnamon, cloves, brown sugar, and molasses.

Package them in a cute bag or tin to deliver to friends and neighbors or make them for your family to enjoy. Either way, you can never go wrong when making Gingersnaps!

Are ginger snaps and molasses cookies the same thing?

They are very, very similar with just 1 major difference. Ginger Snaps are nice and crisp; hence the “snaps” and molasses cookies are soft and chewy. You can easily make this recipe into molasses cookies by simply baking the cookies for just 9 minutes.

Are gingerbread cookies the same as ginger snaps?

They are very similar. Gingersnaps are a bit crisper, the dough is a little wetter, and ginger snaps are rolled in sugar before baking. Whereas gingerbread is a slightly drier dough, it can be rolled out and cut into shapes, and the dough is not rolled in sugar before baking.

Are ginger snaps good for acid reflux?

Some people say that ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties in these cookies help soothe inflammation of the esophagus, one of the main contributors to acid reflux. Ginger can also reduce nausea.

How long do gingersnaps stay fresh?

Appropriately stored in an airtight container, gingersnaps can stay fresh at room temperature for two to three weeks. You can also freeze them for up to six months.

How to make this Gingersnap Cookie Recipe:

STEP ONE: First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

STEP TWO: Next, mix the dry ingredients. Set this bowl aside.

STEP THREE: Now, in a large bowl, combine the wet ingredients with a handheld mixer until light and fluffy. Slowly add in the flour mixture.

STEP FOUR: Then, place ¼ cup of sugar into a pie plate. Scoop the cookie dough one at a time and roll it into a dough ball. Coat the dough balls in the sugar.

STEP FIVE: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the baking sheets and bake for about eleven minutes.

STEP SIX: Cool completely before serving.

Cook’s Tools – Ginger Snaps:

baking sheets
silicone baking mat OR parchment paper
mixing bowls
whisk
handheld mixer OR stand mixer
cookie scoop
pie plate
wire rack

How much will this Gingersnaps recipe cost to make:

RECIPE COST: $3.01

PER SERVING COST: $0.05

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have.

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour – $0.43
2 teaspoons baking soda – $0.02
½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
1 ¼ teaspoon ground ginger – $0.14
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon – $0.04
¼ teaspoon ground cloves – $0.11
1 cup dark brown sugar – $0.48
¾ cup vegetable shortening – $1.08
¼ cup molasses – $0.54
1 large egg – $0.10
¼ cup granulated sugar – $0.06

More Holiday Cookies:

Cut Out Sugar Cookies
Christmas Wreath Cookies
Pecan Snowball Cookies
Christmas Chocolate Chip Cookies
Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Pink Macarons
Hanging Gingerbread Cookies
Peppermint Bark Cookies
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Gingerbread Cookies with Orange Glaze
Red Velvet Whoopie Pies
Orange Cranberry Shortbread Cookies

5 from 7 votes

Ginger Snaps

Author Jillian - a Food, Folks and Fun original!

Recipe Cost $ 3.01

Serving Cost $ 0.05

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Cook Time 11 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 21 minutes minutes

Equipment

baking sheets
silicone baking mat or parchment paper
mixing bowls
whisk
handheld mixer OR stand mixer
Cookie scoop
pie plate
wire rack

Ingredients

FOR THE COOKIES:

▢ 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
▢ 2 teaspoons baking soda
▢ ½ teaspoon salt
▢ 1 ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
▢ 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
▢ ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
▢ 1 cup dark brown sugar
▢ ¾ cup vegetable shortening
▢ ¼ cup molasses
▢ 1 large egg

FOR THE COATING:

▢ ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats. In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl add in the dark brown sugar, vegetable shortening, molasses, and the egg.
Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the flour to the sugar mixture and mix on low speed until combined and no flour streaks remain about 1-2 minutes.
Place 1/4 cup of granulated sugar into a pie plate. Use a 1 1/2 teaspoon scoop to scoop the cookie dough, and then roll the cookie dough into balls between your hands. Place the cookie dough balls into the pie plate and shake gently until the dough is coated in sugar.
Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 11 minutes.
Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes, and then move them to wire racks to cool completely.

Notes

Makes about 5 dozen cookies.
Leftover cookies can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
This dough also freezes well. Just scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet and pop the cookie sheet into the freezer until frozen solid, about 1 hour. Then, place the frozen dough in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake the cookies, roll the dough into the sugar and add 6-7 minutes to the baking time.

Nutrition

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Jillian

I’m Jillian, the creator behind Food Folks and Fun. I have over 30 years of experience cooking for others. There’s nothing I love more than cooking for my family. Food is love, and cooking isn’t just putting a meal on a plate: It’s putting a little part of myself into that meal.

I love ginger snaps! These cookies look perfect for Christmas!
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I can’t stop eating these! I love ginger snaps!
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I love all things ginger — especially cookies! How fun and festive to decorate them, too. And where or where did you get that adorable milk bottle for Santa?
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As a Brit then the name is Ginger nuts and I love em! I swear I used to eat them by the whole packet as a kid, can1t wait to try these!
Reply
Such an easy recipe and they look perfect. And the post is so thorough.
Reply
Love the step by step too
Reply
1. So glad that it came in handy!
  Reply
YUM! These are some of my faves!
Reply
How can you store baked cookies longer than 4days. I’d like to bake them in advance
Reply
1. Hi Shirley,
  When you place the baked and cooled cookies into an airtight container, Place 2-3 pieces of white bread on top of the cookies. This will slow down the drying out process.
  Reply
Can I replace the shortening with butter?? Thx
Reply
1. Yes, you can. The cookies will just spread a little more.
  Reply
Just tried these, they are AMAZING! PERFECT in every way. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Reply

Jillian Wade | Food Folks and Fun is a participant of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing, but it helps keep this blog running on butter…lots of butter!

Gingersnap Cookie Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

Is ginger snaps cookies good for acid reflux? ›

No. There is no scientific evidence that ginger has any use for alleviating acid reflux. While it is considered safe to use long-term for nausea, if you suffer from acid reflux regularly, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider. They can devise a medical treatment plan that is best for you.

Keep Reading ›

What is the difference between molasses and gingersnap cookies? ›

Gingersnaps typically have a crisp, snappy texture and a spicier, more pronounced ginger flavor, while molasses cookies are soft with a deeper, rich molasses flavor. Can this dough be frozen? Definitely!

Why do ginger snap cookies crack? ›

A heavy amount of baking soda interacts with the molasses in this recipe to encourage spread. This allows cracks in the dough to develop where moisture escapes, creating that beautiful crackled appearance and crunchy texture. Ensure your baking soda is fresh and active – learn more about that here.

See Details ›

Can you use ginger snaps instead of graham crackers for cheesecake? ›

Instead of the traditional cheesecake graham cracker crust, I use a gingersnap crust to echo the spices in the filling and bring out the pumpkin flavor. I also borrow a genius technique from Rose Levy Beranbaum to cook down the pumpkin purée to intensify the flavor.

Get More Info Here ›

Do ginger snaps settle your stomach? ›

Ginger. Capsules of powdered ginger have been found to reduce nausea and vomiting. You could also try a cup of ginger tea, a glass of ginger ale (some people swear it works better if it's flat), a few gingersnap cookies, or a piece of ginger candy.

See Details ›

What does gingerbread do to your stomach? ›

In Medieval England, the term gingerbread simply meant “preserved ginger” and wasn't applied to the desserts we are familiar with until the 15th century. The term is now broadly used to describe any type of sweet treat that combines ginger with honey, treacle or molasses.

See Details ›

What is the most popular cookie ever? ›

Chocolate chip cookies

What is the most popular type of cookie? It might just be this one. Ever the crowd-pleaser, the chocolate chip cookie is renowned for its balance of richness and sweetness.

Get More Info ›

Can I use maple syrup instead of molasses for ginger cookies? ›

Maple Syrup Cookies are very similar to gingerbread cookies, except I replace the molasses with maple syrup and honey. The result is a soft texture with a lighter ginger maple flavor. Honestly, I prefer a softer gingerbread to a crispier one. Eat them plain or decorate with white cookie icing and sprinkle with sugar.

Read On ›

What can I use instead of molasses in gingersnap? ›

The Best Molasses Substitutes

Honey, dark corn syrup, and maple syrup can also be used to replace molasses in recipes.

Read The Full Story ›

Why didn t my ginger snaps crack? ›

The oven isn't hot enough. (it needs to set the top before the middle's fully risen) Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set) Using a single-acting baking powder (double acting gives extra rise when it gets heated)

Discover More ›

Why are my ginger snap cookies flat? ›

Check your oven

If your oven is too hot, the fat melts faster than the cookie can set, and you end up with pancake cookies. Always preheat your oven and invest in a good oven thermometer. Even new ovens can be incorrectly calibrated, so check the actual temperature every time you put a pan in the oven.

See Details ›

What is another name for ginger snap cookies? ›

A gingersnap, ginger snap, ginger nut, or ginger biscuit is a biscuit flavored with ginger. Ginger snaps are flavored with powdered ginger and a variety of other spices, most commonly cinnamon, molasses and clove.

Can I use saltines instead of graham crackers? ›

Flexibility (flavor)

There's not much you can do to alter the taste of graham crackers. They taste how they taste. But with saltines, you're in the driver's seat when it comes to flavor. Their neutrality makes them perfect for building a crust that's infused with citrus zest or brown butter, for example.

Learn More ›

What can replace graham crackers in baking? ›

Go with speculoos or crisp ginger snaps for a spicy kick that works well with cheesecake or cream pies, vanilla wafers or animal crackers if you want something more subtle, or chocolate wafers or even Oreo cookies for something dark and chocolate-y.

Find Out More ›

What can you use instead of graham crackers in graham cracker crust? ›

You could also make this crumb crust with vanilla wafers or Ritz crackers instead of graham crackers.

Gingersnap Cookie Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)