If you’re searching for the perfect gingersnap cookie recipe crispy enough to satisfy your cravings, look no further.
This recipe is adapted from the Taste of Home Blue Ribbon Winners cookbook and was a blue ribbon winner at the 4-H fair. Although it’s not my original recipe, its delightful blend of warm spices and satisfying crunch make it worth repeating.
I love this recipe and am excited to share it with you. Get ready to bake the best crispy gingersnap cookies you’ve ever tasted!
What Makes a Cookie Crisp?
Getting that perfect crispiness in your cookies is all about the right mix of ingredients, baking techniques, and how you cool them.
Here are some tips to help you make your cookies nice and crispy:
- Fat and Sugar Ratio: The ratio of shortening to sugar significantly impacts the crispiness. More sugar often results in a crisper texture.
- Baking Time and Temperature: Baking at a slightly lower temperature for a longer time helps achieve a crispy edge and a uniform texture.
- Size and Thickness of Dough Balls: Smaller, thinner dough balls spread out more and bake into a crisper cookie.
- Shortening: Using shortening instead of butter helps achieve a crispier texture. Shortening has a higher melting point than butter, which helps the cookies hold their shape and stay crispier for longer.
More Great Christmas Cookie Recipes
If you love this gingersnap cookie recipe crispy and full of flavor, you’ll definitely want to try some of my other favorite Christmas cookie recipes. These delicious treats are perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa.
- Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies: For those who prefer a softer, chewier cookie, my chewy ginger molasses cookies are a must-try. Packed with the rich flavors of molasses and warm spices, these cookies are perfect for the holiday season. Check out the recipe here.
- Gingerbread Cookies: Nothing says Christmas quite like classic gingerbread cookies. Whether you like to decorate them with icing or enjoy them plain, these cookies are a festive favorite. Find the gingerbread cookie recipe here.
- New Mexican Biscochitos: Add a touch of Southwestern flair to your holiday cookie tray with New Mexican biscochitos. These anise-flavored cookies, traditionally made with lard and dusted with cinnamon sugar, are a unique and delicious treat. Discover the biscochitos recipe here.
Tips for Perfect Crispy Gingersnap Cookies
Here are all the details you need to know to make this recipe for perfectly crispy gingersnap cookies:
Mixing Tips
- Mixing by Hand: If you want to mix this recipe by hand you’ll need a large bowl for your dry ingredients and a medium bowl for your wet ingredients.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: You can mix by hand, but I recommend using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer for a well-mixed dough. Make sure to use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure everything is fully incorporated.
Baking Tips
- Cookie Scoop: I love using a cookie scooper to scoop dough into even-sized dough balls for uniform baking.
- Shallow Dish: Roll the dough balls in sugar using a shallow dish for an even coating.
- Baking Sheet: Line your cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Baking Temperature: Bake at a lower temperature (325 degrees F. or 163°C) for a longer time to achieve crispy edges and a uniform texture.
Cooling Tips
- Wire Rack: I recommend transferring your baked cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows air to circulate around the cookies, preventing them from becoming soft.
- Storage: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container to maintain their crispiness. For longer storage, you can place cookies in a freezer bag and freeze them.
By following these tips, you’ll ensure your cookies turn out perfectly crispy every time!
- Make-Ahead Instructions: These cookies are a great make-ahead option. Prepare the dough and freeze it in balls, then bake as needed.
- Variation Ideas: For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. You can also use fresh ginger for a more intense ginger flavor.
- Serving Suggestions: These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of tea or coffee. They also make a great addition to any holiday cookie tray.
The Perfect Gingersnap Cookie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup shortening
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using an electric hand mixer, cream the shortening with 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes on medium speed.
- Add the egg and molasses to the creamed mixture, beating well after each addition until fully incorporated.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is well mixed.
- Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, form the dough into small balls. Roll each ball in the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, coating them evenly.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookie dough balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Lightly press on the dough balls to flatten for a crispier cookie.
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Bake the cookies for 13-15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned and crispy.
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them maintain their perfect crunch.
Notes
The Perfect Gingersnap Cookie Recipe: Crispy Enough to Satisfy Your Cravings
If you’re on the hunt for the perfect gingersnap cookie recipe crispy enough to satisfy your cravings, look no further. This recipe, adapted from the Taste of Home Blue Ribbon Winners cookbook and a blue ribbon winner at the 4-H fair, delivers a delightful blend of warm spices and a satisfying crunch.
I love this recipe and am excited to share it with you. Get ready to bake the best crispy gingersnap cookies you’ve ever tasted!
Chlorina
Tuesday 16th of July 2024
They turned out just like the picture. Soooo good!
Better Baker
Saturday 20th of July 2024
I'm thrilled to hear that they turned out well and that you enjoyed them!