Save Soft, fudgy cookies with a festive blend of rich cocoa, warm gingerbread spices, and a beautiful crackled powdered sugar finish. These are perfect for holiday treats or cozy winter afternoons.
I baked these cookies last year for our family holiday party and everyone adored their chewy texture and fragrant spices. They quickly became a seasonal favorite that my kids now request every winter.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 1 2/3 cups (210 g)
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: 1/2 cup (45 g)
- Ground ginger: 1 1/2 tsp
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tsp
- Ground cloves: 1/4 tsp
- Ground nutmeg: 1/4 tsp
- Baking powder: 1 1/2 tsp
- Baking soda: 1/2 tsp
- Salt: 1/4 tsp
- Unsalted butter, softened: 1/2 cup (115 g)
- Light brown sugar, packed: 3/4 cup (150 g)
- Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup (50 g)
- Egg: 1 large
- Unsulphured molasses: 1/4 cup (85 g)
- Pure vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Powdered sugar: 1/2 cup (60 g) for coating
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients:
- Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Cream wet ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 to 3 minutes).
- Add egg and flavorings:
- Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine wet and dry:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined.
- Chill dough:
- Cover dough and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) until firm.
- Prepare baking sheets:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Shape cookies:
- Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll into balls about 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Coat in powdered sugar:
- Roll each dough ball generously in powdered sugar to coat.
- Arrange and bake:
- Place balls 2 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake 11 to 13 minutes, until cookies are puffed and crackled but still soft in the center.
- Cool cookies:
- Let cool on pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Save Every December, my sister and I make a batch of these together and laugh over how delightfully messy the coating step always gets. It’s a tradition that brings warmth to chilly days.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, measuring cups and spoons, rubber spatula, baking sheets, parchment paper, wire rack.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains gluten (wheat), dairy (butter), and eggs. Check ingredient labels for any hidden sources if you have sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Per cookie: 105 calories, 3.5 g fat, 18 g carbohydrate, 1.5 g protein.
Save Serve these cookies with a mug of hot cocoa and enjoy their festive warmth all season long.