Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

By Lily | Last modified on Dec 21, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

There’s nothing quite like the warmth and spice of freshly baked gingerbread cookies to celebrate the holidays or cozy up on a chilly day. These Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies strike the perfect balance between soft texture and deep spiced flavor, delivering comforting bites that melt in your mouth. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting, they elevate a classic cookie into an indulgent treat perfect for sharing with loved ones.

Whether you’re new to gingerbread baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe makes it simple to create bakery-style cookies with rich molasses and bold spices. The frosting adds a tangy sweetness that complements the warm spice while offering a fun decorating opportunity with festive sprinkles. Grab your apron and let’s get baking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Soft and chewy texture that stays fresh even days later
Deep spiced flavor with ginger, cinnamon, and rich molasses
Easy 3-ingredient cream cheese frosting with a tangy balance
Festive frosting and sprinkles add holiday cheer
Simple to make with straightforward ingredients and steps

Ingredients

Salted butter (¾ cup, softened): Provides a rich base fat that adds moisture and flavor to keep cookies tender.
Granulated sugar (1 cup, plus extra for coating): Sweetens the dough and creates a slightly crisp sugar coating on the cookies.
Large egg (1): Binds ingredients together while adding richness to the dough.
Molasses (¼ cup): Adds deep, robust sweetness and moisture with classic gingerbread flavor.
All-purpose flour (2¼ cups): Forms the structure and bulk of the cookie dough.
Ground ginger (2 teaspoons): The essential spice that lends warmth and signature gingerbread taste.
Baking soda (1 teaspoon): Helps cookies rise slightly and develop their characteristic crackled tops.
Ground cinnamon (¾ teaspoon): Adds sweetness and depth to the spice profile.
Salted butter (1 cup, room temperature) – for frosting: Provides creamy richness and helps achieve smooth frosting texture.
Cream cheese (8 ounces, room temperature): Gives the frosting a tangy flavor and creamy consistency.
Powdered sugar (1 pound): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to perfect spreading consistency.
Holiday sprinkles: Festive touch for decorating the frosted cookies.

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and helps even baking, ensuring your cookies come off cleanly and bake evenly.
Cream Butter and Sugar: Using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This aerates the butter, which contributes to a tender crumb and helps cookies spread just right.
Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg and molasses until fully combined. The molasses enriches the dough with moisture and a deeper flavor, while the egg binds everything together.
Combine Dry Ingredients: Incorporate the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and ground cinnamon into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid tough cookies, ensuring the spices are evenly distributed.
Portion and Coat Dough Balls: Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and roll each into a ball. Roll each ball in extra granulated sugar to create a lightly crisp, sparkly coating that enhances each bite.
Arrange and Bake Cookies: Place cookie balls spaced well apart on the prepared baking sheet. You may need to bake in two batches. Bake for 13-15 minutes until cookies are set and develop a crackled surface, signaling perfect chewiness.
Cool Cookies Properly: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process helps them finish baking and keeps them chewy inside.
Prepare Cream Cheese Frosting: While cookies cool, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until fluffy and spreadable for the perfect frosting texture.
Pipe Frosting and Decorate: Fill a piping bag or resealable plastic bag with the frosting and pipe spirals onto each cookie. Finish with colorful holiday sprinkles for festive flair and added texture.

You Must Know

These cookies are meant to be soft and chewy, not rolled out or cut with cookie cutters.
Cookies can be baked in batches to ensure even spacing and proper browning.
Frosting softens at room temperature, so adjust chilling time accordingly if preferred.

Storage Tips

Store cookies in a single layer inside an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, refrigerate for up to 5 days and bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these gingerbread cookies with a warm cup of spiced tea, hot cocoa, or coffee for a cozy snack. They also make charming treats for holiday parties or gifted in festive tins.

Professional Tips

Use room temperature butter and cream cheese for smoother frosting without lumps.
Rolling dough balls evenly ensures consistent baking and cookie size.
Adjust bake time slightly if you prefer softer or slightly crisper cookies.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies without frosting?: Yes, the cookies are delicious on their own with a rich, spiced flavor and chewy texture. Frosting is optional but adds festive sweetness.
Why do the cookies crack on top?: The crackled tops are a sign of well-balanced dough with baking soda helping the cookies rise and crack as they bake.
Can I store these cookies frozen?: Yes, you can freeze baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting or serving.
What is the best molasses to use?: Use unsulfured molasses for a milder, sweeter flavor. Blackstrap molasses is stronger and more bitter, which may alter taste.
Can I substitute cream cheese frosting?: Buttercream or royal icing can be alternatives, but cream cheese frosting provides complementary tang and softness.
Are these cookies suitable for cutting into shapes?: No, this recipe creates soft, thick cookies designed to be rolled into balls, not rolled and cut.
How do I keep cookies chewy?: Do not overbake and allow them to cool on the sheet before moving. Proper storage also helps maintain chewiness.