Three old-fashioned ginger cookie favorites in one place: crackly Ginger Crinkles rolled in sugar, soft Ginger Creams with rich molasses flavor,
and tender Soft Ginger Cookies that can be left plain or finished with a little jelly in the center.
Classic, chewy ginger cookies with a beautiful, sugary cracked exterior. These are a quintessential holiday favorite, easy to make and perfect for sharing.
Mix: Combine all ingredients in the order listed until the dough is smooth.
Chill: Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour.
Shape & Bake: Roll into 1-inch balls, dip each into granulated sugar, and bake for 8–10 minutes.
🥛 Soft Ginger Creams
A softer, cake-like ginger cookie richly spiced with nutmeg and cloves. These are wonderful as-is, or enhanced with a tiny drop of jelly in the center for a festive touch.
Mix: Combine all ingredients until well blended and smooth.
Form: Drop by the teaspoon onto a baking sheet and flatten or round slightly with a spoon.
Enhance & Bake: Optional: Add a small dot of jelly in the center or sprinkle the tops with sugar. Bake 10–15 minutes.
☁️ Soft Ginger Cookies
Delightfully tender, melt-in-your-mouth ginger cookies. This dough requires an overnight chill to develop its soft texture, making it a perfect make-ahead dessert.
⏱️ Chill Time: Overnight🔥 Oven: 350°F
Ingredients
1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk (with 2 tsp baking soda dissolved)
4 ½ cups sifted flour
½ tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¼ cup molasses
Jelly (optional, for centers)
Sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Preparation Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F. Dissolve the baking soda into the milk.
Combine: Cream the sugar and shortening; beat in the egg, molasses, and the prepared milk mixture.
Dough: Sift the dry ingredients together and mix them into the wet base until a dough forms.
Chill & Shape: Chill the dough overnight. Form into small balls, place on a greased sheet, and press down slightly.
Finish: Optional: Indent centers for jelly, sprinkle with sugar, and bake 10–12 minutes. Remove from the sheet immediately.
Ginger Cookie FAQ
What’s the difference between Ginger Crinkles and Soft Ginger Cookies?
Ginger Crinkles are rolled in sugar and baked quickly for a crackly top. Soft Ginger Cookies are chilled longer and bake up softer, and can be filled with a little jelly if you like.
Can I skip chilling the Ginger Crinkles dough?
Chilling helps the dough hold its shape and improves the crinkle effect. If you skip it, the cookies may spread more.
Do I need to add jelly to the Soft Ginger Cookies?
No. The jelly center is optional—these cookies are good plain, sprinkled with sugar, or filled.
