The Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe for Christmas

These soft gingerbread cookies are everything you want for Christmas. They are chewy, full of spice, and perfect for sharing. As they bake, they fill your kitchen with the warm, cozy aroma of cinnamon and ginger, making everything feel a little more festive.

Before we dive into the recipe, check out my video below to see how this soft gingerbread recipe comes together! Watching the process makes it even easier to get that perfectly soft and chewy texture. Don’t forget to like and subscribe!

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Why You’ll Love These Soft Gingerbread Cookies

If you’re a fan of chewy, soft gingerbread cookies with deep, spiced flavors and a cozy holiday feel, this recipe is about to become a staple in your kitchen. They’re easy to make, full of warmth, and the perfect treat for the festive season (or whenever you’re craving that nostalgic gingerbread taste).

• Soft, Chewy & Perfectly Spiced – These cookies have the best soft texture—thanks to the perfect balance of molasses, butter, and brown sugar.
• Classic Holiday Flavor– With cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, these cookies capture everything you love about gingerbread, but in a soft and chewy bite instead of a crunchy one.
• Simple & Foolproof– No fancy techniques—just straightforward ingredients and easy steps. Anyone can make these!
• Smells Like Christmas– The second these cookies hit the oven, your kitchen will fill with the warm, spicy aroma of the holidays.
• Great for Gifting (or Keeping All to Yourself)– Make a batch for friends and family, or just enjoy them with a cup of tea or hot chocolate. They also store well, so you can bake ahead!
• Made with Real Molasses– The molasses gives these cookies their rich, deep flavor, making them taste like classic gingerbread—but softer and chewier!

These aren’t just any simple gingerbread cookies—they’re soft, spiced, and absolutely irresistible. So grab your ingredients and let’s bake some gingerbreads!

Ingredients You’ll Need

You probably have most of these ingredients already in your kitchen, but if not, check out the links in the ingredients list. So, here’s what you need:

• 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ tsp (1.5g) ground ginger 
• 1 tsp (1.6g) ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp (0.5g) ground cloves
• 1 tsp (4.6g) baking soda
• ½ tsp (2.5g) sea salt
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, room temp 
• ¾ cup (150g) packed brown sugar 
• 1 large egg
• 3 tbsp (64g) Unsulfured Black Strap molasses
• 1 tsp (4g) vanilla extract 

If you want soft and chewy gingerbread cookies with a deep, rich flavor, use unsulfured blackstrap molasses like the one below, because it makes a big difference.

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Let’s Bake These Soft Gingerbread Cookies!

This soft gingerbread cookies recipe is foolproof and perfect for anyone who loves holiday baking. With just the right mix of warm spices, molasses, and brown sugar, these cookies turn out soft, chewy, and absolutely delicious every time.

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set it aside while we get the wet ingredients ready.

Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugar

In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This helps create that soft and chewy texture.

Top Tip: Use Room Temperature Butter – Soft butter mixes better with the sugar, creating a light and creamy texture that helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.

Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients

Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until smooth. The dough will start to smell amazing at this point!

Note: Molasses gives these gingerbread cookies their deep flavor and chewy texture, so do not leave it out.

Step 4: Combine Everything

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until fully combined. The dough should be thick but soft.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour. This step is super important because it helps make the cookies easier to handle and keeps them from spreading too much while baking.

Step 6: Shape & Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Scoop out small portions of dough, roll them into balls, and place them on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes, just until the edges start to brown slightly.

Top Tip: Don’t Overbake! – The cookies might look slightly underdone when you take them out, but they will firm up as they cool. Overbaking will make them dry instead of perfectly soft and chewy.

Step 7: Cool & Enjoy

Let the cookies cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Now the hardest part—waiting before taking that first bite!

Now that you know how to make soft gingerbread cookies, grab your ingredients and start baking! 

Related Recipe: If you liked these soft and chewy gingerbread cookies then check out also this traditional Sri Lankan Christmas cake that is a rich, moist, and flavorful treat that brings the holidays to life.

The Secret to the Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Want to make the best gingerbread cookie recipe? Here are a few tips to ensure they turn out perfect every time!

• Chilling the dough is key – Letting the dough rest in the fridge for at least an hour helps develop flavor and makes it easier to shape.
• Don’t overbake! – These cookies might look slightly underdone when you take them out of the oven, but they will firm up as they cool. Overbaking will make them dry instead of soft and chewy.
• Use Unsulphured Molasses – This gives the cookies a rich, deep flavor without any bitterness.
• Use Room Temperature Butter – Soft butter blends better with sugar, creating a light, fluffy texture that helps keep the cookies soft and chewy.

Try Another Cozy Cookie Recipe

If you love these chewy soft gingerbread cookies, you have to try these delicious treats next!

• Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pie Cookies – These soft, chewy oatmeal cookies are sandwiched with a dreamy, creamy filling that melts in your mouth. They have just the right amount of spice and sweetness, making them a nostalgic favorite for any cookie lover!

• Easy Shortbread Cookie Recipe – Buttery, crisp yet melt-in-your-mouth delicious, these shortbread cookies are incredibly simple to make with just a few ingredients. Perfect for tea time, holiday cookie tins, or an everyday sweet treat!

• Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – Craving something sweet but still want to keep it healthy? These soft and naturally sweet oatmeal raisin cookies are made with just a few wholesome ingredients, packed with fiber, and perfect for a guilt-free snack!

These chewy soft gingerbread cookies are just the beginning—why not add a few more delicious cookies to your holiday baking list? Grab your apron and get ready for some seriously good treats!