Unbelievably Soft & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies – Just Like Grandma’s!

Hi there, food lover! 👋 Ready to bake cookies that taste exactly like childhood Christmas memories? 🍪

There are some recipes that feel like a warm hug, and soft & chewy gingerbread cookies are absolutely one of them. These are the cookies that lived in Grandma’s tin, tucked between sheets of wax paper, filling the house with the unmistakable scent of molasses and spice. Just one bite brings back cozy kitchens, flour-dusted countertops, and hands sneaking cookies before they were fully cooled. ❤️

This recipe stays true to old-fashioned gingerbread traditions—rich molasses, warming spices, and a dough that bakes into cookies with crisp edges and irresistibly soft centers. No dry, crumbly cookies here. These are tender, chewy, and deeply flavorful, just as gingerbread was meant to be. The secret lies in the balance: brown sugar for moisture, butter for richness, and just the right blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to create that classic holiday taste.

Whether you’re baking for Christmas Eve, gifting neighbors, or simply craving something nostalgic on a cold winter afternoon, these gingerbread cookies deliver every time. They’re perfect plain, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, or decorated with simple icing. Most importantly, they fill your home with that magical “something’s baking” feeling that makes the holidays feel complete.

So tie on an apron, preheat the oven, and let’s bake a batch of gingerbread cookies that Grandma would be proud of. 👩‍🍳✨

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Rolling

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

Step-by-Step Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
5. Cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour. This helps the cookies keep their shape and stay chewy.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Scoop dough into 1½-inch balls and roll each ball in granulated sugar.
8. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
9. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers look slightly soft.
10. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information

⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes
❄️ Chill Time: 1 hour
🔥 Baking Time: 8–10 minutes
⏳ Total Time: About 1 hour 30 minutes
🍽️ Servings: 24 cookies
⚡ Calories per serving: ~140

Notes

• For extra softness, slightly underbake the cookies—this is Grandma’s trick!
• These cookies store beautifully in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
• You can freeze the dough balls and bake straight from frozen, adding 1–2 minutes to bake time.
• For a festive twist, add a pinch of black pepper or orange zest to the dough.

#GingerbreadCookies #ChristmasBaking #GrandmasRecipe #SoftAndChewy #HolidayTreats #ClassicChristmas

Bon appétit and happy baking! 👩‍🍳🍽️