Description
Festive winter magic sparkles through classic German Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies, dusted with powdered sugar like delicate snow. Warm spices and rich molasses create irresistible holiday charm that will enchant anyone craving sweet seasonal comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Dry Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Fats and Sweeteners:
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (60 ml) molasses
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (175C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Create a fragrant dry mixture by whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a medium bowl.
- Transform butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar into a light, airy consistency by beating them together until fluffy and well-incorporated.
- Enrich the dough by blending in robust molasses, a single egg, and aromatic vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring on low speed to maintain a delicate texture and prevent toughening.
- Enhance cookie structure by chilling the dough for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing ingredients to meld and dough to firm up.
- Form uniform cookie spheres by scooping dough and generously coating each ball in powdered sugar, ensuring complete coverage.
- Arrange sugar-dusted dough balls on the prepared sheet, spacing them to allow room for spreading during baking.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges become crisp and centers remain tender, creating a delightful contrast in texture.
- Allow cookies to rest briefly on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack, letting them settle and develop their signature crackled appearance.
Notes
- Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to intensify the spice flavors and improve cookie texture, helping the ingredients meld together perfectly.
- Dust cookies with extra powdered sugar just before serving to enhance the festive crinkle appearance and add a touch of sweetness.
- Use freshly ground spices for a more robust and vibrant gingerbread flavor that elevates the entire cookie experience.
- Substitute gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the rich, warm taste of traditional gingerbread cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 139
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 56 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 18 mg