19 Perfect Holiday Gingerbread Cookie Recipes
Classic gingerbread cookies with royal icing. (photography: Roberto Caruso)
Gingerbread is an iconic holiday scent—and flavour. And as the holidays approach, there's nothing quite like the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread cookies filling the house.
From our rich and chewy gingerbread, to perfectly crisp gingersnaps and Belgian-style speculaas cookies, the gallery below is more than full of festive inspiration.
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
There’s a reason gingerbread cookies are classic holiday fare. The scent evokes memories of years gone, the taste is delicious and they’re easy to decorate into festive favourites. There are a million-plus recipes out there, but this one’s our favourite for decorating. Get our classic gingerbread cookie recipe.
Kooky Biscuiterie’s Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
"We bake cookies that go beyond your imagination. This unique gingerbread cookie is soft and chewy. While our customers say eating these is like having a piece of Christmas in your mouth, we’re confident you’ll enjoy them all year long."—Mathieu Benoit, owner, Sherbrooke, Que. Get Kooky Biscuiterie's Glazed Gingerbread Cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Cookies
This is a spicy and versatile version of classic gingerbread that we first published in 1961. Roll it out and cut it into shapes, or press beautiful patterns into it with a cookie stamp. Get our gingerbread cookies recipe.
Gingersnaps
These crispy cookies offer a satisfying crunch. And the best part: since the dough can be refrigerated (plus the baked cookies keep for five days in an airtight container), these are great make-ahead treats. Get our gingersnaps recipe.
Easy Gingerbread Palmier Cookies
What's not to love about flaky puff pastry and ginger-spiced sugar in a chocolate dip? These are made using store-bought puff pastry and are super-duper easy. Get our gingerbread palmier cookie recipe.
Piparkakku Cookies
Like a nice wine, these cookies get better as they age. The spices in piparkakku (a Finnish version of gingersnaps) continue to develop over the course of a few days. Of course, they’re just as tasty out of the oven, so we don’t blame you if you don’t get to the three-day mark. Get our piparkakku recipe.
Ginger Crackle Cookies
Love gingerbread but not a fan of the crunch? Try this version instead. The oh-so-chewy texture will leave you reaching for a second…or third…or fourth. Get our ginger crackle cookie recipe.
Chai Gingerbread Cookies
A delicious (and easy!) twist on a classic. Get our chai gingerbread cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Lime Cookies
Inspired by our ginger Moscow mule, these cookies with a zesty hit of lime are sure to make a splash at the cookie exchange. Get our gingerbread lime cookie recipe.
Speculaas
Germany and the Netherlands have the holidays down to a science and we trust their judgment when it comes to festive treats. Speculaas are spiced shortbread biscuits and pair perfectly with a nice cup of floral tea or rich hot chocolate. Get our speculaas cookie recipe.
Pfeffernüsse
Pfeffernüsse translates to “peppernut” in German, referring to the pepper and ground nuts traditionally used in this Christmas cookie. Pfeffernüsse are often made well in advance of Christmas. People dunk them in coffee or tea to soften them up. Get our pfeffernüsse recipe.
Gingerbread Sandwiches With Marshmallow Frosting
Take your gingerbread up a notch! These cookie sandwiches use an easy 10-minute marshmallow frosting we can’t get enough of. Get our gingerbread sandwiches cookie recipe.
Sugar Crackle Gingerbread Cookies
These easy, soft and chewy cookies taste delicious and will fill your kitchen with holiday spirit. Get our sugar crackle gingerbread cookies recipe.
Ginger Molasses Stack Cookies
Taking inspiration from the Austria’s famous Christmas markets, we’ve deconstructed the gingerbread cookie! This recipe alternates a layer of ginger dough with a layer of molasses dough. You still get the delicious gingerbread flavour in each bite, and it looks awesome on a plate. Get our ginger-molasses stack cookies recipe.
Matcha And Ginger Tea Pinwheels
These brand-new treats are a colourful and kicky spin on gingerbread. Don’t be intimidated by the spiral design: If you can roll a tea towel, you can roll these cookies. Get our matcha and ginger tea pinwheels recipe.
Chewy Chocolate-Chunk Ginger Cookies
Lemon zest and ginger bring these chewy ginger cookies to a new level of awesome. Get our chewy chocolate-chunk ginger cookies recipe.
How To Make An Easy Gingerbread Tree
This stunning gingerbread tree—made from our classic gingerbread recipe, using a set of 10 graduated star cookie cutters—is a cinch to pull together. Get our easy gingerbread tree recipe.
Lacy Gingersnaps
A beautiful, buttery take on the traditional gingersnap. These delicate cookies are rolled up and ready for your cookie plate. Get our lacy gingersnaps recipe.
Gingerbread Cookie Ornaments
With a little royal icing and some holiday spirit, these gingerbread cookies make festive tree ornaments—if you can manage not to eat them. Get our gingerbread cookie ornaments recipe.
Gingerbread Spice Mix
You’ll want to add this festive gingerbread spice mix recipe to everything.
How to make classic gingerbread cookies
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