The holidays just wouldn’t be the same without the sweet, spicy scent of gingerbread filling the kitchen. These 22 gingerbread cookie recipes are fun, flavorful, and perfect for baking with kids. From classic cut-outs to creative twists, you’ll find something for every little helper (and every sweet tooth!).
1. Classic Gingerbread Men
The traditional cookie that starts every holiday memory.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/2 cup butter
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add egg and molasses.
- Mix in dry ingredients, chill 1 hour.
- Roll, cut, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 mins.
2. Soft Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Soft centers, crisp edges—perfect for little cookie lovers.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Cream butter and sugar, add wet ingredients.
- Mix in dry, scoop balls, roll in sugar.
- Bake 9–10 mins at 350°F.
3. Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Double the cookie, double the fun.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
Filling:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Bake cookies 8–10 mins at 350°F.
- Beat frosting ingredients and sandwich between cookies.
4. Chocolate-Dipped Gingerbread
The perfect blend of spicy and sweet.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 oz dark chocolate
Instructions
- Mix dough, chill, cut shapes.
- Bake 10 mins at 350°F.
- Dip cooled cookies in melted chocolate.
5. Gingerbread Stars with Lemon Glaze
A tangy twist on traditional spice.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar + 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Bake 9–10 mins at 350°F.
- Mix glaze and drizzle over cooled cookies.
6. Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
Soft, spiced, and made for little thumbs to press!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Form dough balls, press thumbprints.
- Bake 10 mins at 350°F.
- Fill centers with caramel or icing.
7. Gingerbread Snowflakes
A magical treat to decorate on snowy afternoons.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
Instructions
- Cut dough into snowflake shapes.
- Bake 8–10 mins at 350°F.
- Pipe white royal icing for designs.
8. Gingerbread Reindeer Cookies
Cute, fun, and sure to make kids giggle.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- Mini pretzels + red candy noses
Instructions
- Bake gingerbread men 10 mins.
- Flip and decorate as reindeer faces.
9. Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
Dairy-free, egg-free, but full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water (egg replacer)
- 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix wet and dry ingredients, chill 30 mins.
- Bake 9–10 mins at 350°F.
10. Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Perfectly chewy without the gluten.
Ingredients
- 2 cups gluten-free flour blend
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix dough, chill 1 hour.
- Roll out and bake 10 mins at 350°F.
11. Gingerbread Truffles
Little balls of holiday joy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed gingerbread cookies
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 8 oz white chocolate
Instructions
- Mix crumbs and cream cheese, roll balls.
- Chill 30 mins, dip in melted chocolate.
12. Gingerbread Sandwich Ice Cream Cookies
A fun frozen twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger, cinnamon
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Bake cookies and cool completely.
- Sandwich with ice cream and freeze 30 mins.
13. Mini Gingerbread Houses
The cutest edible craft for kids.
Ingredients
- Basic gingerbread dough
- Royal icing (for glue)
- Assorted candies
Instructions
- Cut dough into house templates.
- Bake 10 mins, cool, assemble with icing.
14. Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
Soft, spiced, and utterly irresistible.
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon
- Frosting: cream cheese + powdered sugar
Instructions
- Bake rounds 8–10 mins.
- Fill with frosting and sandwich.
15. Gingerbread Bears
Adorable, huggable, and fun for all ages.
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Cut dough with bear cutters.
- Bake 8–10 mins at 350°F.
- Decorate with icing scarves.
16. Gingerbread Trees with Sprinkles
Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- Green icing + sprinkles
Instructions
- Cut into tree shapes.
- Bake 10 mins, cool, decorate.
17. Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cookies
A modern twist that kids can’t resist.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Mix, scoop, and bake 10–12 mins at 350°F.
18. Gingerbread Stained Glass Cookies
Pretty, edible ornaments for your tree.
Ingredients
- 3 cups gingerbread dough
- Crushed hard candies (various colors)
Instructions
- Cut shapes with centers removed.
- Fill holes with candy bits.
- Bake 8–10 mins at 350°F.
19. White Chocolate Gingerbread Bark
Crunchy, chocolatey, and holiday-perfect.
Ingredients
- 8 oz white chocolate
- 1 cup crushed gingerbread cookies
- 2 tbsp sprinkles
Instructions
- Melt chocolate, mix with cookies.
- Spread on parchment, add sprinkles, chill 30 mins.
20. Gingerbread Cookie Pops
Cookies on a stick = instant kid joy.
Ingredients
- Classic gingerbread dough
- Lollipop sticks
- Icing for decorating
Instructions
- Insert sticks before baking.
- Decorate after cooling.
21. Gingerbread Hearts with Chocolate Centers
Sweet, rich, and made with love.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp ginger, cinnamon
- 1/2 cup melted chocolate
Instructions
- Cut hearts, bake 8–10 mins.
- Fill centers with chocolate, cool.
22. Gingerbread Cookie Pizza
A big cookie that’s made for decorating together!
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- Assorted candies + icing
Instructions
- Roll dough into a pizza round, bake 12–14 mins.
- Decorate like a pizza with icing and candy.
Baking Memories Together 🎅
From gingerbread men to cookie pizzas, these recipes are made for smiles, sticky fingers, and shared laughs. Gather your little bakers, put on some carols, and let the smell of spice and sweetness fill your home.
Save, share, and make this Christmas full of gingerbread magic!
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