Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps

The warm, spicy aroma of Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps wafting through your kitchen is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. Unlike traditional crisp ginger cookies, these Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps offer the perfect balance of a slightly crisp exterior with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth center. The robust combination of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates a cookie that’s both comforting and sophisticated. You’ll learn how to achieve that perfect chewy texture while ensuring each bite delivers a warm spice flavor that makes these cookies irresistible during the holidays or any time of year.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps stand apart from ordinary ginger cookies in several delightful ways. First, the texture contrast is absolutely perfect—slightly crisp edges give way to centers so soft they practically dissolve on your tongue. The rich molasses provides both moisture and that distinctive deep flavor that makes ginger cookies so comforting.

What makes these cookies truly special is how the warming spices build in intensity with each bite. The fresh ginger provides a zingy heat that balances perfectly with the sweetness, creating a more complex flavor profile than store-bought alternatives could ever deliver.

Best of all, despite their sophisticated flavor, these chewy ginger cookies are surprisingly simple to make. The dough comes together in minutes, and that irresistible sugar coating adds both a satisfying crackle and a beautiful finishing touch. Even baking beginners can achieve professional-quality results with this foolproof recipe.

Ingredients

For these delectable Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps, you’ll need:

• 2¼ cups (281g) all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp ground ginger (fresh, vibrant spice delivers the best flavor)
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar, plus ¼ cup for rolling
• ¼ cup (60ml) unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap for a milder flavor)
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Optional: 2 tbsp finely minced fresh ginger for extra zing

The quality of your spices significantly impacts these ginger cookies. Fresh, aromatic ground ginger is essential for achieving that characteristic warm, spicy flavor that defines perfect Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps. High-quality molasses provides the deep, complex sweetness that makes these cookies so irresistible.

Pro Tips

Fresh Spices Matter

For truly exceptional Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps, use fresh spices. Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves lose potency over time, so replace them if they’ve been in your pantry longer than six months. For an extra dimension of flavor, add 1-2 tablespoons of finely grated fresh ginger along with the ground spices.

Perfect Chilling Technique

Chilling the dough is non-negotiable for achieving that ideal chewy texture. Wrap the dough tightly in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to overnight. This not only makes the dough easier to handle but also allows the flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in a more complex-tasting cookie.

Rolling Method Matters

For the signature crackled top, roll dough balls in granulated sugar just before baking. Use slightly damp hands when forming the dough balls to prevent sticking, and don’t flatten them—they’ll spread naturally in the oven. For extra sparkle and crunch, use coarse sugar for rolling instead of regular granulated sugar.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare The Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until thoroughly combined. This even distribution ensures every bite of your Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps delivers a perfect balance of spices. Take a moment to break up any clumps in the spices with your fingers for the smoothest texture.

Step 2: Cream The Butter And Sugar

In a large bowl using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and 1 cup sugar together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air into the dough, creating lighter cookies with the perfect texture. The mixture should visibly change to a paler color and fluffier consistency.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat on medium speed until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. The molasses may cause the mixture to look slightly separated at first—that’s normal! Just keep mixing until everything comes together into a smooth, caramel-colored base.

Step 4: Combine Wet And Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Overmixing will develop too much gluten, resulting in tough cookies rather than tender Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky—that’s exactly what you want for chewy cookies.

Step 5: Chill The Dough

Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This chilling time is crucial for developing flavor and ensuring your cookies maintain their shape while baking instead of spreading too thin.

Step 6: Prepare For Baking

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the remaining ¼ cup of sugar in a small bowl for rolling. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to soften slightly for easier handling.

Step 7: Shape And Bake

Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, portion the dough into 1½-inch balls. Roll each ball in the sugar until completely coated, then place on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges are set but the centers still look soft and slightly underdone. The cookies will continue cooking on the hot baking sheet after removal from the oven.

Step 8: Cool And Enjoy

Allow the Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. They’ll firm up as they cool while maintaining that perfect chewy center that makes them so irresistible.

Variations

Lemon Ginger Snaps

Transform these classic Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps with a bright citrus twist. Add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough and replace half the vanilla extract with lemon extract. For an extra tangy finish, mix 1 teaspoon of lemon zest with the rolling sugar. The bright citrus notes beautifully complement the warming spices, creating a refreshing variation perfect for spring and summer gatherings.

Chocolate Dipped Ginger Cookies

For an indulgent twist, dip cooled Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps halfway into melted dark or white chocolate, then place on parchment paper until the chocolate sets. The rich chocolate creates an exquisite contrast with the spicy ginger flavors. For extra flair, sprinkle the chocolate with finely chopped crystallized ginger or orange zest before it hardens.

Gluten-Free Adaptation

Create gluten-free chewy ginger cookies by substituting the all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend. Add ¼ teaspoon of xanthan gum if your blend doesn’t already contain it to maintain that perfect chewy texture. These adaptations ensure everyone can enjoy the comforting spice of traditional ginger snaps without compromising on taste or texture.

Storage and Serving

These Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps will maintain their perfect texture when stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To keep them extra soft, add a slice of bread to the container—the cookies will absorb moisture from the bread, keeping them tender longer.

For longer storage, these ginger cookies freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Layer them between sheets of parchment paper in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour before serving to restore their chewy texture.

For an elevated dessert experience, sandwich vanilla or cinnamon ice cream between two cookies for homemade ginger snap ice cream sandwiches. Alternatively, crumble them over vanilla pudding or use as a sophisticated base for cheesecake crust. They also pair wonderfully with afternoon tea or coffee, particularly chai tea which complements the warming spices perfectly.

FAQs

Why didn’t my ginger snaps crackle on top?

The signature crackle comes from sugar crystallizing on the surface during baking. Make sure your dough is properly chilled, roll the cookies thoroughly in granulated sugar before baking, and check that your oven is fully preheated to the correct temperature.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! The dough for Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. If frozen, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before rolling and baking.

How can I make my ginger snaps extra spicy?

For a more intense flavor, increase the ground ginger to 1½ tablespoons and add 2-3 tablespoons of finely minced fresh ginger to the wet ingredients. A pinch of black pepper also enhances the spicy notes without overwhelming the flavor.

My cookies came out too flat. What went wrong?

Flat cookies usually result from butter that was too soft or dough that wasn’t chilled enough. Make sure your butter is just softened, not melted, and chill the dough thoroughly before baking.

Can I use blackstrap molasses in this recipe?

While you can use blackstrap molasses, it will result in a more intensely flavored, less sweet cookie. For the classic Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps flavor, stick with regular unsulphured molasses, which offers a milder, sweeter taste.

Conclusion

These Soft and Chewy Ginger Snaps are comfort food at its finest — spicy-sweet morsels that fill your home with warming aromas and bring instant coziness to any occasion. The perfect balance of soft centers with slightly crisp edges makes them impossible to resist, whether paired with hot tea on a chilly afternoon or presented as homemade gifts during the holiday season. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a cherished family tradition, requested year after year for its simple perfection and ability to transport you to a place of comfort with each aromatic bite.

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