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.

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

5 from 7 votes

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

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.

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

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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? ›

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. Molasses was used as substitute for sugar as it was the more affordable alternative to sweetening. The debates of which are better, soft vs.

Discover More ›

Are ginger snaps healthier than other cookies? ›

Gingersnaps are a healthier alternative to other cookies, being that they are generally low in calories and have many benefits. The ginger that is in these cookies has anti-inflammatory properties, is known to help treat nausea and fight heart disease and other illnesses.

Explore More ›

Is ginger snaps cookies 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.

Keep Reading ›

Why do ginger snap cookies crack? ›

There are 5 factors that make these gingersnap cookies crispy and slightly chewy, with a beautiful crackled exterior: Rolling the cooking dough balls in granulated sugar creates those cracks. Cracks form when the exterior dries out faster than the interior.

Read On ›

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 Now ›

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.

Show Me More ›

Are ginger cookies good for your stomach? ›

Ginger cookies won't help but real ginger, especially ginger tea, can be effective for a tummy ache.

Know More ›

Are ginger snaps good for high blood pressure? ›

Ginger may also decrease blood pressure by preventing blood clots from forming in your arteries and blood vessels, according to Castleman.

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Can you eat too many ginger snaps? ›

Ginger is safe to eat daily, but experts recommend limiting yourself to 3 to 4 grams a day — stick to 1 gram daily if you're pregnant. Taking more than 6 grams of ginger a day has been proven to cause gastrointestinal issues such as reflux, heartburn and diarrhea.

Read The Full Story ›

What food can neutralize stomach acid? ›

Bananas, melons, broccoli, asparagus, and green beans are low in acid and known to reduce stomach acid levels. Whole grains — High fiber, whole-grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-grain breads help stop symptoms. They are a good source of fiber and may help absorb stomach acid, reducing the risk of symtoms.

Get More Info ›

How I cured my acid reflux? ›

Lifestyle and home remedies

Maintain a healthy weight. ...
Stop smoking. ...
Elevate the head of your bed. ...
Start on your left side. ...
Don't lie down after a meal. ...
Eat food slowly and chew thoroughly. ...
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger reflux. ...
Avoid tight-fitting clothing.

Jan 4, 2023

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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.

Find Out More ›

Why don t my ginger cookies crackle on the top? ›

Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set) Using a single-acting baking powder (double acting gives extra rise when it gets heated) Not creaming the fat long enough (creaming cuts little air pockets into the fat, which means the leavening has to do less work)

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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.

Keep Reading ›

Are gingernut biscuits and ginger snaps the same? ›

In North America these cookies are usually called gingersnaps but in Australia and New Zealand they are called ginger nuts. I cannot tell you how delicious these ginger cookies are so I'm just going to sort of beg you to make them.

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.

Read The Full Story ›

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.

Learn More ›

Is ginger nut same as gingersnap? ›

It also appears in spice nut, a now obsolete synonym for ginger nut ('to induce you to purchase half a pound of the real spice nuts,' Charles Dickens, Sketches by Boz, 1836), and of course in doughnut. The nearest American equivalent is called a ginger snap.

Find Out More ›

Gingersnap Cookie Recipe • Food Folks and Fun (2024)