Name: Crispy Gingerbread Cookies
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Christmas
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened; 2/3 cup sugar; 1/3 cup brown sugar, lightly packed; 1 large egg yolk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 tablespoons fancy molasses; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 cup sanding sugar (for rolling)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how simple and quick this recipe is. There’s no need to chill the dough, roll it out, or cut shapes. The result is a batch of thin, crispy cookies that are full of that signature gingerbread warmth from cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. They’re great for gifting, dunking in coffee or tea, or just snacking straight off the tray. Plus, the sanding sugar coating adds a beautiful sparkle and subtle crunch.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

unsalted butter, softened
sugar
brown sugar, lightly packed
egg yolk
vanilla extract
fancy molasses
all-purpose flour
baking soda
salt
ground cinnamon
ground ginger
ground nutmeg
ground cloves
sanding sugar

Directions

I preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
In a large bowl, I beat together the butter and both sugars until smooth and creamy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
I mix in the molasses, followed by the egg yolk and vanilla extract.
In another bowl, I sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, and all the spices.
I add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and beat on low until just combined.
I roll the dough into balls using about 1½ teaspoons per cookie, then roll them in sanding sugar.
I place the dough balls on the baking sheet, spacing them 2 inches apart.
Using the bottom of a glass, I flatten each ball to half its height.
I bake the cookies for 10 minutes, then let them cool on the baking sheet for 3 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes about 40 cookies.
Prep time is approximately 20 minutes, and baking time is 10 minutes, making the total time around 30 minutes.
Each cookie contains about 66 calories.

Variations

If I want extra spice, I sometimes add a pinch of black pepper to the dough. I’ve also swapped the sanding sugar for coarse turbinado sugar for a different texture. For a more festive twist, I’ve mixed in finely chopped candied ginger. And when I feel like turning these into sandwich cookies, I fill them with a cream cheese or lemon frosting.

Storage/Reheating

I store these crispy cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. To keep their crunch, I make sure the container is well-sealed. These cookies also freeze beautifully—I just layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container and thaw at room temperature. I don’t usually reheat them since they’re meant to be crisp, but if needed, a couple of minutes in a low oven will revive their texture.

FAQs

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, I often make the dough a day in advance and keep it chilled until I’m ready to bake. I also freeze baked cookies and thaw them as needed.

What kind of molasses should I use?

I always go with fancy molasses, which is sweet and mild. I avoid blackstrap molasses here since it can make the cookies too bitter and overpowering.

How do I get the cookies to stay flat and crispy?

Flattening the dough balls with a glass before baking is key. It helps the cookies spread evenly and crisp up properly in the oven.

Can I skip the sanding sugar?

Yes, but I find the sanding sugar adds a nice sparkle and crunch. If I don’t have any, I sometimes use granulated sugar instead.

Do these cookies stay crispy after baking?

They do! I just make sure to store them properly in a dry, airtight container to maintain their crispness.

Conclusion

These crispy gingerbread cookies are everything I love about the holidays—spiced, sweet, and simple to make. They’re perfect for when I want that comforting gingerbread flavor without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether I’m baking for a party, gifting friends, or just treating myself, these cookies are a crunchy, festive favorite I come back to every year.