Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies: A Perfect Holiday Treat

When the air turns crisp and the holidays are just around the corner, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread cookies filling your home. Gingerbread has long been a holiday classic, evoking memories of festive cheer, cozy gatherings, and the warmth of family traditions. But imagine a twist on the traditional gingerbread cookie: a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth, paired with a rich, creamy cream cheese frosting. Welcome to the world of Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies—a perfect treat that will elevate your holiday cookie game.

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These cookies stand out from the rest with their soft, chewy texture and spiced flavor profile. Unlike the typical crisp, crunchy gingerbread cookies that are often used for decorating, these cookies are meant to be enjoyed fresh out of the oven—soft, chewy, and spiced to perfection. The addition of cream cheese frosting takes these cookies to the next level, adding an irresistible tanginess that beautifully balances the sweetness of the dough. Whether you are baking for a holiday party, a family gathering, or simply indulging in a little self-care during the colder months, these cookies will surely become a go-to favorite.

The Magic Behind Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

The appeal of gingerbread cookies lies in their warm, cozy spices: ground ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. These ingredients have been combined in countless ways over centuries, yet they never lose their charm. The beauty of this recipe lies in the combination of these spices with a rich, chewy texture that sets them apart from traditional gingerbread cookies.

As with all great recipes, the ingredients are key. The rich flavor of molasses imparts a deep sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the warmth of ground ginger and cinnamon. This creates a complex flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting. These cookies are more than just a treat—they’re an experience, bringing warmth and sweetness to the chill of the season.

But the true magic happens when the cream cheese frosting is piped on top. The frosting adds not only a velvety smooth texture but also a subtle tang that cuts through the sweetness of the cookie, making each bite balanced and satisfying. And the best part? The frosting is incredibly easy to make—only three ingredients are required to create the perfect topping for your gingerbread cookies.

In this recipe, I’ll guide you through the steps to create the perfect Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies. From the ingredients to the preparation, baking, and finishing touches, every step is designed to help you achieve that perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive joy.

Ingredients for Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

For the Cookies:

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

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup salted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 pound powdered sugar

These simple yet essential ingredients create the foundation for your Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies. Let’s break them down and discuss how each one contributes to the final result.

• Salted Butter: Butter is essential in cookie dough for both flavor and texture. The salt in salted butter adds a nice balance to the sweetness of the cookies and the cream cheese frosting, enhancing the overall flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: This is the main sweetener in the cookie dough. It helps to create a light, airy texture when creamed with the butter, contributing to the cookies’ soft, chewy consistency.
• Molasses: Molasses is the star of gingerbread cookies. Its deep, dark sweetness gives the cookies their signature flavor and rich color. The molasses also helps to create that chewy, soft texture that makes these cookies so special.
• Ground Ginger, Ground Cinnamon: These two spices are the essence of gingerbread. They provide warmth, depth, and the unmistakable gingerbread flavor that is familiar and comforting during the holidays.
• Baking Soda: The baking soda is a leavening agent that helps the cookies to rise and become soft and chewy rather than dense.
• Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds richness and a subtle tang to the frosting. This balances the sweetness of the cookies and complements the spices perfectly.
• Powdered Sugar: Powdered sugar is the key to creating a smooth, velvety frosting. It dissolves easily and helps achieve the perfect consistency for piping onto the cookies.

Now that we’ve discussed the ingredients, let’s jump into the preparation.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures that your cookies bake evenly and don’t stick to the pan. The parchment paper also makes for an easy cleanup, allowing you to transfer the cookies to a cooling rack with ease once they’re done.

Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. Mix on medium speed until the butter and sugar become light and fluffy, which usually takes about 2-3 minutes. Creaming the butter and sugar together is a crucial step that incorporates air into the dough, resulting in cookies that are light and chewy rather than dense and heavy.

Add the Egg and Molasses

Add the egg and molasses to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated. The egg binds the dough together, while the molasses gives the cookies their deep, rich flavor. Make sure the molasses is fully mixed into the dough so that the flavor is evenly distributed throughout each cookie.

Add the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. The dough should be slightly sticky but not overly wet. If it feels too sticky, add a little more flour, but be careful not to overdo it, as too much flour can make the cookies dry.

Shape the Dough into Balls

Once your dough is ready, divide it into 6 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. The dough will be a bit soft, but it should hold its shape. Roll the balls in the extra sugar, coating them thoroughly. This sugar coating gives the cookies a beautiful, sparkly finish and adds an extra layer of sweetness.

Bake the Cookies

Place the dough balls on your prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. You may need to bake the cookies in two batches depending on the size of your baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are slightly soft. The cookies will have a cracked appearance on top when they’re done.

Let the Cookies Cool

Once the cookies are finished baking, let them cool on the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows them to firm up and makes it easier to transfer them to a cooling rack without breaking. After 10 minutes, move the cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While the cookies are cooling, it’s time to prepare the frosting. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. This process should take about 3 minutes. Once the butter and cream cheese are well blended, slowly add the powdered sugar, mixing until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. The frosting should be thick enough to hold its shape but soft enough to pipe onto the cookies.

Pipe the Frosting

Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a round tip, or you can use a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off. Pipe the frosting in a spiral pattern, starting from the center of each cookie and working your way outwards. The frosting will create a beautiful swirl on top of each cookie. For an added festive touch, you can sprinkle holiday-themed sprinkles on top of the frosting for a pop of color and extra sweetness.

Serve and Enjoy

Once the frosting has been piped onto the cookies, they are ready to be served. If you’re storing them, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let the cookies come to room temperature before serving to maintain their soft, chewy texture.

Tips and Variations

• Skip the Frosting: If you prefer a more traditional gingerbread experience, these cookies are just as delicious without the frosting. Simply bake the cookies and enjoy them as is for a spiced, chewy treat.
• Gluten-Free Option: To make these cookies gluten-free, simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. You may need to adjust the amount of flour slightly to achieve the perfect dough consistency.
• Flavor Add-ins: You can add a little extra flair to your gingerbread cookies by incorporating chopped candied ginger, chocolate chips, or even crushed nuts like walnuts or pecans into the dough.
• Storage: These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, consider freezing them.

Final Thoughts

These Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are a must-try for anyone who loves a soft, flavorful, and slightly indulgent treat. The combination of spices and the addition of a smooth, tangy cream cheese frosting creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply enjoying them as a sweet snack, these cookies will not disappoint. So, grab your ingredients, get your mixer ready, and bake up a batch of these irresistible Big & Chewy Gingerbread Cookies that will make your holiday season even sweeter.