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.

Table of Contents

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

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

60 cookies

Whether you call them Gingersnaps, Ginger Snaps, Ginger Doodles, Ginger Biscuits, or Ginger Nut, these cookies are just plain good! They’re great any time of the year or especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas time!

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.
See Also
10 Great Traditional Dutch Recipes (Updated 2022)

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

did you love this recipe?

Share it with me on Facebook and find more recipes on foodfolksandfun for more!

75+ Delicious and Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes

40+ Popular Christmas Cookies and Candies for 2023

40+ Soup, Chili, and Stew Recipes Round-Up

subscribe for new recipes

Get all the latest recipes in your inbox!

connect with us

Make sure to tag #foodfolksandfun on instagram!

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!
Reply
I can’t stop eating these! I love ginger snaps!
Reply
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?
Reply
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

What's the difference between gingersnaps and ginger cookies? ›

Ginger Snaps are simply a variation of the traditional Gingerbread cookie. They're known for their crisper quality; their “snap” if you will. Introduced in colonial times, the main differences between Gingerbread and Ginger Snaps are a longer bake time for an extra crisp and the use of molasses versus sugar.

View Details ›

Are ginger snaps healthier than other cookies? ›

Most ginger snaps are lower in fat and sugar than other types of cookies, and you'll also get a good dose of certain vitamins and minerals, as well.

Find Out More ›

Are ginger snaps 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.

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.

Know More ›

Why are my ginger cookies so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

Learn 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.

View Details ›

What is the healthiest cookies to eat? ›

Hu. Hu's whole line of cookies is squeaky clean–the ingredients include organic coconut oil, organic cocoa butter, cassava flour, cashew flour, free-range eggs, and flax seeds. The thing that makes Hu's cookies the best of the Best Stuff is that they are sweetened with dates rather than any sugar at all.

Explore More ›

Are ginger snaps anti-inflammatory? ›

Ginger biscuits or cookies are a type of cookie that is made from ground ginger, which is often used as a spice. These cookies have been shown to be beneficial for those who suffer from joint pain or inflammation because of its anti-inflammatory properties.

Discover More ›

Are ginger cookies good for your stomach? ›

Ginger cookies, which have ginger, sugar, flour, butter and other ingredients, may actually aggravate the condition, for example. NBC News Health and Nutrition Editor Madelyn Fernstrom echoed this advice. “Don't be fooled by most holiday treats that sound like they can help an upset stomach,” she said.

Keep Reading ›

What medications should not be taken with ginger? ›

Possible Interactions

Blood-thinning medications: Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor before taking ginger if you take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin. Diabetes medications: Ginger may lower blood sugar.

See Details ›

Who Cannot take ginger? ›

Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Children: Ginger is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 4 days by teenagers around the start of their period. Bleeding disorders: Taking ginger might increase your risk of bleeding. Heart conditions: High doses of ginger might worsen some heart conditions.

Can you eat too many ginger snaps? ›

Can you eat too much ginger? Yes, you can to the point where it leads to an upset tummy. The biggest side effect of ginger is that it tends to accelerate the passage of food and stool via the intestines, inviting restlessness and weakness.

Learn More Now ›

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.

Explore More ›

Can dogs eat ginger snaps? ›

Dogs cannot eat ginger snaps. Feeding your dog ginger snaps can upset your dog's stomach or lead to long-term health issues.

Read On ›

Do ginger snap cookies expire? ›

Unopened commercial gingersnap cookies can last up to 2-3 months past the date printed on their package, thanks to the added preservatives. Once opened, they should be consumed within 1-2 weeks for the best taste and texture, but you will usually have up to a month before noticing a stale flavor.

Read The Full Story ›

Are gingernut biscuits and ginger snaps the same? ›

Using ground ginger, fresh ginger and diced crystallised ginger these gloriously crunchy gingersnaps are so moreish. This is a pushy recipe Dear Reader! In North America these cookies are usually called gingersnaps but in Australia and New Zealand they are called ginger nuts.

Discover More Details ›

What is the difference between ginger snaps and spiced wafers? ›

The spiced wafer is like the gingersnap, except it includes other non-ginger spices like clove and cinnamon, as well as real blackstrap molasses. They're also baked longer than regular cookies, so they're extra crunchy.

Discover More ›

Do ginger snaps have real ginger? ›

Nabisco Ginger Snaps is made with real ginger and molasses for authentic old fashioned flavor. Its a classic crunchy cookie with the fresh zing of ginger and sweetness of molasses.

Read On ›

Are spiced wafers the same as ginger snaps? ›

The difference is that their ginger snaps contain "ginger" while their spiced wafers contain "spices". Never having had the ginger snaps, I'd suspect the spiced wafers are also crisper.

Discover More Details ›

Gingersnap Cookie Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)