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Hi Bold Bakers!
My recipe for Ginger Crinkle Cookies takes my two favorite holiday cookies and combines them into one! While some of you might have a had a chewy crinkly cookie, I bet you’ve never had one loaded with sticky sweet molasses and aromatic spices.
The combination of these flavors and textures says ’tis the season, and is perfect for a holiday party whether you’re hosting or attending!
What is a crinkle cookie?
Crinkle cookies come in all shapes and sizes, and are often flavored with cocoa — like my Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. This year I decided to go for that same crackle crunchy outside and chewy fudgy inside, but with the flavors of cinnamon, ginger, and clove.
These spices, and a hefty amount of molasses, make these cookies moist, chewy, and full of in-your-face ginger flavor. What makes these cookies crinkle on the outside is the raising agent (in this case baking soda) and the outer coating of icing sugar they are rolled in before baking. This outer layer of sweetness not only tastes and looks yummy, but helps create that outer crust that breaks while baking allowing the chewy inside to peak through.
[ Out of Brown Sugar? Make your own with my Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe! ]
Why is there molasses in ginger crinkle cookies? Can they be made without? Is there a substitute?
Seeing as this cookie has no egg to bind it, it really is held together by the molasses. It’s a super important ingredient that cannot be replaced. The flavor, texture, and color of this cookie depends on this dark sweet syrup.
If you can’t find it in your local store, I suggest you order some here.

How do you know when ginger crinkle cookies are done?
I like to shape my crinkle cookies by scooping them into uniform 1 tablespoon balls. It’s really important to make sure each cookie is the same size, as this is one of the things that will help the cookie to bake evenly in the right amount of time, so for this I use my GoodCook Small Cookie Scoop! In addition, I like to bake my cookies on my GoodCook 15 x 10 inch cookie sheet. These cookie sheets are larger than your average, meaning you can bake few batches in less time. They also heat super evenly, creating that perfect crisp bottom.
Crinkle cookies can be deceiving, as they will begin to crackle before they are done. You want to be sure to bake them for the full time directed, as it’s important that the outside of the cookie form a proper crust. The outside of the cookie will only highlight the chewy middle, so do not worry that the cookies are over cooking as they need time to caramelize and toast up on the outside.

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