Soft Ginger Cookies

Soft ginger cookies are a cozy favorite, with warm spices, crisp sugar-coated edges, and tender centers. Molasses gives them their rich flavor and chewy texture, while ginger, cinnamon, and cloves bring just the right amount of spice. Enjoy them fresh from the oven or save a batch for an afternoon treat.

What Makes Ginger Cookies Soft?

A few simple choices help keep these cookies soft. Brown sugar and molasses add moisture, and taking the cookies out of the oven while the centers still look slightly underdone prevents them from drying out. They’ll continue to set as they cool on the baking sheet.

Ingredients

• 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup unsulphured molasses

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and baking sheets. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the butter and sugar. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the egg and molasses. Beat in the egg, then mix in the molasses until combined.
5. Make the dough. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in batches, mixing on low just until no streaks of flour remain.
6. Shape the cookies. Scoop the dough into balls, about 1½ tablespoons each. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place them about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. Bake. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are set and the centers still look soft. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool.

Tips for the Best Soft Ginger Cookies

• Measure the flour carefully. Too much flour can make cookies dry or cakey. Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it off, rather than packing it down.
• Use room-temperature butter. Softened butter blends evenly with the sugar. It should give slightly when pressed but shouldn’t look greasy or melted.
• Don’t overbake. The centers may look a little underdone when the cookies come out. That’s the secret to keeping them soft.
• Chill sticky dough if needed. If the dough is difficult to roll, refrigerate it for 20 to 30 minutes.
• Adjust the spice. For a stronger ginger flavor, add up to ½ teaspoon more ground ginger.

Storage and Make-Ahead Ideas

Once completely cool, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. To freeze baked cookies, arrange them in a freezer-safe container with parchment between the layers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

You can also make the dough ahead. Shape the dough into balls and refrigerate them, covered, for up to 2 days. Roll the balls in sugar just before baking, and add a minute or two to the baking time if needed.

A Spiced Cookie for Any Occasion

These soft ginger cookies are easy to bake and full of comforting flavor. Serve them with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk, or add them to a holiday cookie tray. With their chewy centers and fragrant spices, they’re a delicious treat any time of year.

 

Deliciously Soft Ginger Cookies: Easy Homemade Treats with Chewy Centers and Warm Spices

1. Soft, chewy centers
2. Warm, comforting spices
3. Rich molasses flavor
4. Easy to make at home
5. Lovely sugar-crusted edges
6. Perfect for sharing

 

7 Drawbacks of Soft Ginger Cookies to Consider

1. Can be too sweet for some.
2. Molasses may overpower the spices.
3. Easy to overbake and dry out.
4. Dough can be sticky to handle.
5. Require several ground spices.
6. May not suit people avoiding gluten.
7. Can lose softness if stored improperly.

Soft, chewy centers

One of the best things about soft ginger cookies is their soft, chewy centers. Each bite is tender and satisfying, with just enough structure to hold together and a gentle chew that pairs perfectly with their crisp, sugar-coated edges.

Warm, comforting spices

Soft ginger cookies are filled with warm, comforting spices that make every bite feel cozy and satisfying. Ginger brings a gentle, lively kick, while cinnamon and cloves add sweet, aromatic depth. Together, these familiar flavors make the cookies especially inviting on a chilly day—or whenever you’re craving a little comfort.

Rich molasses flavor

Molasses gives soft ginger cookies their signature deep, rich sweetness, with subtle caramel notes that make every bite taste warm and comforting. It also complements the ginger and other spices, creating a balanced flavor that’s more complex than ordinary sugar cookies.

Easy to make at home

Soft ginger cookies are easy to make at home, even if you’re new to baking. The dough comes together with familiar ingredients and simple steps, so there’s no special equipment or complicated techniques required. Mix, scoop, roll in sugar, and bake for a homemade treat filled with warm, comforting spice.

Lovely sugar-crusted edges

The sugar coating gives soft ginger cookies their lovely sugar-crusted edges, adding a delicate crunch to every bite. As the cookies bake, the sugar turns lightly crisp around the outside while the centers stay soft and chewy—a delicious contrast that makes these spiced treats especially satisfying.

Perfect for sharing

Soft ginger cookies are perfect for sharing, whether you’re bringing a homemade treat to a holiday gathering, surprising a neighbor, or packing a few for a friend. Their warm spices and chewy centers make them a crowd-pleasing favorite, and they’re easy to bake in a big batch. Arrange them on a platter or tuck them into a simple gift bag for a thoughtful treat everyone can enjoy.

Can be too sweet for some.

Soft ginger cookies can be too sweet for some, especially when rolled in sugar or made with a generous amount of molasses and brown sugar. If you prefer a less-sweet treat, reduce the sugar slightly, skip the sugar coating, or serve the cookies with unsweetened tea or coffee to balance their sweetness.

Molasses may overpower the spices.

Molasses adds moisture and a deep, rich sweetness to soft ginger cookies, but too much can overpower the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. For a more balanced flavor, measure it carefully and use unsulphured molasses, which is generally milder than blackstrap.

Easy to overbake and dry out.

Soft ginger cookies can go from tender to dry in just a minute or two, so they’re easy to overbake. Because their centers may still look soft when they’re ready, it can be tempting to leave them in the oven longer. For the best chewy texture, take them out when the edges are set but the centers look slightly underdone; they’ll continue to firm up as they cool.

Dough can be sticky to handle.

One drawback of soft ginger cookies is that the dough can be sticky and tricky to handle, especially when it’s warm. Rolling the dough into neat balls may be messy, but chilling it in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes can make it firmer and easier to shape.

Require several ground spices.

One drawback of soft ginger cookies is that they call for several ground spices, such as ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. If your spice cabinet isn’t well stocked, you may need to buy multiple ingredients for a single recipe, and older spices can lose their flavor over time.

May not suit people avoiding gluten.

Traditional soft ginger cookies are usually made with wheat flour, so they may not suit people avoiding gluten or those with celiac disease. For a gluten-free option, use a reliable gluten-free flour blend labeled for baking, and check that the other ingredients are gluten-free as well. Cross-contact can also be a concern, so use clean utensils and baking surfaces when preparing cookies for someone with celiac disease.

Can lose softness if stored improperly.

Soft ginger cookies can lose their tender, chewy texture if they aren’t stored properly. Left exposed to air, they may dry out and become firm, while excess moisture can make them soggy. Once completely cool, store them in an airtight container at room temperature to help keep them soft and flavorful.

Tags: afternoon treat, baking temperature, baking tips, brown sugar, chewy centers, cinnamon, cloves, cookie dough, granulated sugar, ground ginger, holiday cookies, make-ahead, molasses, soft ginger cookies, spiced cookies, storage