Name: Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 34 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened; 3/4 Cup Dark Brown Sugar, packed; 2 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar; 1/2 Cup Molasses, unsulphured; 2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract; 1 Large Egg; 3 Cups All-Purpose Flour; 1 Tablespoon Ground Cinnamon; 1 Tablespoon Ground Ginger; 1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cloves; 1/2 Teaspoon Salt; 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder; 2 Tablespoons Milk (if needed); Cream Cheese Frosting (see below); Frosting and assorted candy for decorating, as desired; 4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened; 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, softened; 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract; Pinch of Salt; 1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar

Jump to Recipe· 4.5 from 135 reviews

If you’re like me and crave cookies that strike the perfect balance between soft and chewy with a little holiday kick, you’re going to adore this Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe. I absolutely love how these cookies stay tender while packing in all those warm spices you expect from gingerbread. Whether you’re decorating them with your kids or enjoying a cozy night in, this recipe is a total keeper, and I can’t wait to share all the tips that make it foolproof.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Texture: These cookies come out soft in the center and chewy on the edges every single time.
No Chill Dough: Unlike some gingerbread recipes, you don’t need to refrigerate the dough, cutting down on wait time.
Easy to Customize: From frosting to spices, this recipe invites your personal touch.
Kid-Friendly Fun: Decorating these beauties is a blast for the whole family, making holiday memories easy to create.

Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe - Recipe Step

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe plays a special role — from tenderizing the dough to boosting flavor. I’ve found buying unsulphured molasses and fresh spices really pays off in taste, so make sure you have your favorite pantry staples on hand.

Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe - Ingredients

Unsalted Butter: Softened butter adds richness and keeps the cookies soft without overpowering sweetness.
Dark Brown Sugar: Packed tightly, it gives a deep caramel flavor and moisture to the dough.
Granulated Sugar: Balances the brown sugar with just a hint of crispness.
Unsulphured Molasses: This is essential for that classic gingerbread depth; sulphured molasses can sometimes be bitter.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the warm spices and adds subtle sweetness.
Large Egg: Helps bind the dough and adds moisture.
All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy base that shapes your cookies perfectly.
Ground Cinnamon, Ginger, and Cloves: Freshly ground if possible — these spices create that unmistakable gingerbread aroma.
Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies flavors.
Baking Powder: Lightens the cookies so they’re not too dense.
Milk (Optional): Just a touch to moisten the dough if it feels dry when mixing.
Frosting and Candy: For decorating — I love using cream cheese frosting with colorful gumdrops for a festive touch.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how versatile this Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is — once you’ve mastered the base, feel free to experiment! Here’s what I’ve done when I want to switch things up or cater to different tastes.

Spice it up: Adding a pinch of black pepper or cardamom gives a nice twist; I stumbled on this while experimenting one winter and it was a hit!
Gluten-free: Swap the all-purpose flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend, but add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to keep the chewiness.
Vegan-friendly: Use coconut oil instead of butter, flax egg instead of the regular egg, and maple syrup instead of molasses for a plant-based version I tested with great results.
Chocolate chip version: Toss a handful of mini chocolate chips into the dough for an indulgent surprise that my kids go crazy over.

How to Make Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Sugars and Butter

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lining two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, beat together your softened butter, dark brown sugar, and granulated sugar until everything is nicely combined and fluffy. This step is so satisfying — I always sneak a little taste here! Once creamy, mix in the molasses, vanilla, and egg until just barely combined. Working quickly here prevents overmixing, which can make the cookies tough.

Step 2: Mix Your Dry Spices and Flour

In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and baking powder. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed and your cookies have a consistent, delicious flavor in every bite. When you add the dry mix to the wet, stir gently just until combined. If your dough feels dry and crumbly, I’ve found adding 2 tablespoons of milk works wonders to bring it together without making it sticky.

Step 3: Roll and Cut Your Cookies

Unlike many gingerbread recipes, this dough doesn’t need chilling — which means less waiting for you. Lightly flour your surface and roll your dough out to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them about an inch apart on your baking sheets. They don’t spread much, so don’t worry about crowding the pan.

Step 4: Bake and Cool

Bake for 7-9 minutes until the centers are just set — not fully hard. I learned that pulling them out when they still feel a bit soft ensures they stay tender after they cool. Let them rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

I always wait to frost until the cookies are fully cool. The cream cheese frosting is my go-to because it’s tangy and smooth, complimenting the spice perfectly. Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth, add vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar, then pipe or spread on your cookies. Get creative with candy decorations — gumdrops and colored sugars add such a festive flair!

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Pro Tips for Making Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Don’t Skip the Molasses: It’s the secret to that rich, traditional gingerbread flavor you’ll want to savor.
Watch Your Bake Time: Pull the cookies from the oven when they’re slightly soft to the touch to keep them tender.
Use Fresh Spices: Ground spices lose their punch over time, so fresh ones make a noticeable difference.
Avoid Overmixing: Overworking the dough develops gluten and leads to tougher cookies, so mix just until everything is combined.

How to Serve Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe - Serving

Garnishes

I love topping these cookies with a classic cream cheese frosting, but if you want to keep it simple, a light dusting of powdered sugar works beautifully too. For holiday cheer, colorful sprinkles, mini gumdrops, or candy pearls add that extra festive touch. When I’m in a rush, just a quick drizzle of melted white chocolate turns heads every time.

Side Dishes

Pair your gingerbread cookies with a warm cup of spiced tea or a creamy chai latte — it’s like a hug in a mug. If I’m feeling indulgent, I serve them alongside vanilla ice cream or a scoop of cinnamon-spiced whipped cream, which makes the experience downright magical.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to create a gingerbread cookie platter with a mix of frosted and plain cookies, decorated with fresh cranberries and pine sprigs for an inviting, seasonal display. Wrapping stacks tied with twine in wax paper is a sweet way to gift them to friends and neighbors — trust me, they’ll ask for the recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually keep leftover cookies in an airtight container layered with parchment paper between them to prevent sticking. Stored this way, they stay soft and chewy for up to a week—if they last that long! I’ve found the flavor actually deepens a bit after a day.

Freezing

Freezing works perfectly for this Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe — just freeze your baked cookies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep their texture and flavor for up to 3 months, which is great for holiday planning or unexpected sweet cravings.

Reheating

To warm up leftover or thawed cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes, just enough to revive that fresh-baked softness without drying them out. I avoid microwaving because it can make them chewy in a less pleasant way.

FAQs

Can I make this Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe without molasses?

Molasses is key for the authentic gingerbread flavor and moist texture, but if you don’t have any on hand, you can try using dark corn syrup or honey as a substitute. Keep in mind the flavor will be milder and the color lighter, but the cookies will still be delicious.
Why are my gingerbread cookies not soft?

If your cookies are turning hard, it’s often because they baked too long or the dough was overmixed. Make sure to remove them when the centers are just set and don’t beat the dough excessively—both help keep these cookies tender and chewy.
Do I need to chill the dough before baking?

One of the best things about this recipe is that you don’t have to chill the dough. It’s ready to roll out and cut immediately, so you save time without sacrificing texture or flavor.
Can I decorate these cookies with royal icing?

Absolutely! Royal icing works wonderfully if you prefer a firmer, glossy finish for detailed decorations. Just be sure your cookies are fully cooled before icing so it sets properly.

Final Thoughts

This Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe has been a holiday staple in my kitchen for years, and every time I bake it, I’m reminded why — the balance of spice, sweetness, and melt-in-your-mouth texture is just unbeatable. I’m so excited for you to try it out, whether you’re new to gingerbread or a longtime fan. Trust me, once you bake these, you’ll find yourself coming back to them for every cozy occasion. Grab your rolling pin, turn on some festive tunes, and enjoy making memories — one soft, chewy, delicious cookie at a time.