Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies Recipe (2024)

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We are in Florida this winter and for the first time ever, we will be celebrating Christmas without my family around. Just Dave, me and the dogs. This galavanting around the country in our RV has a whole lot of awesomeness to it. But there are some drawbacks, and the holidays have the potential to be one. When perusing Walmart the other day, I stumbled upon the Hallmark section and it occurred to me that there is absolutely nothing wrong with creating new traditions- and maybe mixing in a bit of the old.

So, I pulled out my recipe book that has all our family recipes in it and whipped up a batch of my Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies.

My mother made them every year, and I know my husband loves them. They are plump, and soft. Like ginger snaps, but without the snap!

Let’s start with baking something wonderful and making this RV festive with some Christmas decor!

My original plan was to have Dave park next to a nice fir tree. But we are in Florida, so there goes that. But after looking around, we figured out a place in the coach for a cute little tree. Filled with my favorite glass ornaments, it was fun to put together. Each ornament holds a fond memory of places we’ve been and family fun.

I stocked up on Hallmark greeting cards too. They work well for any holiday or special occasion, but the holiday selection is just amazing. I chose those cards that seemed to best fit my idea of the Christmas season. Reindeer, snow and sugary treats. It will be fun to put together some photos of our little family and send to our relatives.

A new holiday tradition will be to pick up a meaningful ornament each year! Hallmark Ornament selections include 16 Walmart exclusives, resin figurines, Holiday Barbie, new deco figurines and more! I chose this sweet little gingerbread house. Our new home is our RV, right?

Yes, new traditions are happening. I put on the Hallmark station on Pandora and started baking…

Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies

1 cup sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup molasses
1 egg
2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
2-1/4 cups flour

Begin by mixing together the sugar and butter.

Mix in the egg and molasses.

Add in the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking soda, and salt. Slowly mix in the flour. Your batter will be a soft dough consistency when mixed.

Roll into 1.5″ balls and then roll those balls in sugar.

Place the sugar covered cookies about 2″ apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes.

Cookies are done when they are lightly browned. Allow to cool on a rack.

Don’t they look fabulous! These little cookies are packed with the great taste of cinnamon and ginger. Pop some in a mason jar wrapped in a pretty bow, with a sweet Hallmark card. They make fabulous homemade gifts!

Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies Recipe

Recipe Type: Dessert

Author: Suzy Myers

Prep time:

Cook time:

Total time:

Serves: 2.5 dozen

Soft ginger cookies just like Grandma made!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tsp. ginger
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
  • 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2-1/4 cups flour

Instructions

  1. Begin by mixing together the sugar and butter.
  2. Mix in the egg and molasses.
  3. Add in the cinnamon, cloves, ginger, baking soda, and salt.
  4. Slowly mix in the flour. Your batter will be a soft dough consistency when mixed.
  5. Roll into 1.5″ balls and then roll those balls in sugar.
  6. Place the sugar covered cookies about 2″ apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 to 12 minutes.
  8. Cookies are done when they are lightly browned. Allow to cool on a rack.

The Christmas season has arrived in my little RV and we are enjoying our new traditions. Oh and the cookies too!

Special Offer from Hallmark!

Click here to save $1.00 off of a two Hallmark Greeting Card purchase at Walmart, minimum $1.00 purchase required. Take advantage of the savings and #SendHallmark this holiday season!

For more holiday dessert ideas, check out my Recipe page!

What are your favorite holiday traditions? Are you creating new ones this year also?

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Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies Recipe (13)
Grandma’s Soft Ginger Cookies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why are my ginger cookies so hard? ›

“There are some gingerbread recipes that are hard right after baking and need to sit for a few days to soften. Molasses and honey hardens gingerbread, but as the sugar absorbs moisture, it will get softer.”

What is the difference between ginger snaps and ginger cookies? ›

Introduced in colonial times, the main differences between Gingerbread and Ginger Snaps are a longer bake time for an extra crisp and the use of molasses versus sugar. Molasses was used as substitute for sugar as it was the more affordable alternative to sweetening.

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

What is the trick to soften hard cookies? ›

The easiest way to soften cookies with bread is to place the cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread and leave them for a few hours. The bread will release moisture and help to rehydrate the cookies, making them soft and chewy once again.

What makes cookies hard instead of soft? ›

Soft cookies have a water concentration of 6% or higher – moisture being the variable in texture. To make cookies crispy, add less liquid or bake it in the oven for longer to dry out the dough. Generally bake around 13-15min at 180C for a crispy cookie.

Why is ginger snaps so good? ›

Ginger Snaps is a great werewolf movie because it has a unique take on the genre. It follows two teenage sisters who are dealing with the physical and emotional changes that come with the onset of puberty, and how those changes can be exacerbated by a werewolf curse.

Why do ginger cookies crack? ›

You have a few things that can go wrong: The oven isn't hot enough. (it needs to set the top before the middle's fully risen) Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set)

Do ginger cookies have any health benefits? ›

In addition to the wonderful flavor, ginger snaps cookies offer a range of health benefits, including aiding digestion, reducing inflammation, and boosting the immune system. Whether enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a grab-and-go snack, these cookies are a delightful indulgence that can be enjoyed guilt-free.

Why don t my ginger cookies crackle on the top? ›

The oven isn't hot enough. (it needs to set the top before the middle's fully risen) Not enough leavening (it needs to be strong enough to crack the top once it's set) Using a single-acting baking powder (double acting gives extra rise when it gets heated)

How do you know when ginger cookies are done? ›

Easy to Notice Signs:
  1. Golden Brown Edges – Check the edges of the cookies for a golden brown colour. This indicates that the cookies have caramelized and are likely done. ...
  2. Set Centres – Gently touch the centre of a cookie. ...
  3. Light Cracking – Look for light cracks on the surface of the cookies.
Oct 18, 2023

How do you make cookies soft and chewy vs hard and crisp? ›

While brown sugar keeps your cookies moist and soft, white sugar and corn syrup will help your cookies spread and crisp in the oven. Using more white sugar in your cookies will result in a crispier end product. To achieve a crispy cookie, skip the rest in the fridge.

What does molasses do in baking? ›

Molasses serve several purposes in baked goods such as: Sweetening: contributing to sweetness, although with lower intensity than sucrose. Its sweetness decreases as color darkens. Flavor: providing a broad and complex range of flavors, from caramel to bitter notes.

Is molasses the same as golden syrup? ›

Golden syrup, or light treacle, is a thick sugar syrup. With its golden, amber color, it is lighter than molasses, though the two are similar in their thickness. Golden syrup also a liquid sweetener, so 1 cup of golden syrup can replace 1 cup of molasses.

What kind of molasses do you use for gingerbread cookies? ›

Choose unsulfured molasses when possible, since sulfur dioxide can leave an unpleasant, chemical-like aftertaste, according to Smith. “Unsulfured molasses is derived from processed mature sugar cane,” she said. “It's rich in flavor with a smoky depth. The most natural.

What causes homemade cookies to be hard? ›

Hard cookies: you are over mixing, baking too long, baking at too high a temperature, or some combination of these. Cakey cookies: not enough brown sugar, too much or too little egg, too much flour, maybe you used baking powder instead of baking soda?

What makes homemade cookies get hard? ›

Over-baking is perhaps the most obvious - too long in the oven and your cookies will dry out, so make sure you time it right. Overworking your dough is another common problem, causing excess gluten strands to form, and making your cookie hard and tough. Fat content can be a cause.

What ingredient makes cookies harder? ›

Baking powder

Baking powder contains sodium bicarbonate and acidic salts. The reaction of these two ingredients results in a cookie that is soft and thick, but slightly harder.

Do gingerbread cookies harden as they cool? ›

Gingerbread Cookies are done when they are set and begin to brown slightly at the edges. They will harden further as they cool, so avoid overbaking so you don't end up with hard, crunchy gingerbread!

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