Christmas isn’t complete without cookies, and gingerbread cookies are an absolute must. Whether you like your gingerbread cookies in a round cookie shape, or prefer them with a little more personality (think cute gingerbread men or tiny toy soldiers) there’s a recipe that you’ll love in this collection of the 39 best gingerbread cookie recipes.
What Is Gingerbread?
Gingerbread refers to baked goods that are flavored with ginger, cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. The spiced treat is often sweetened with sugar, honey or molasses.
Some common gingerbread baked goods include soft, moist gingerbread cake and gingerbread muffins, plus gingerbread cookies, of course.
Related: 24 Perfect Molasses Cookies That Are Sure to Win the Cookie Exchange
Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipes
One of the best things about gingerbread is how the classic cookie inspires so much creativity, as you’ll see in this recipe collection. Soft chocolate gingerbread cookies have a soft chocolate star in the middle that make them feel like a cookie and candy all in one. Gingerbread Macarons take the French sandwich cookie in a holiday direction and are a sophisticated spin on the spiced sweet. Speculaas Gingerbread Cookies with Rum Butter Glaze feature a gorgeous embossed cookies (they’re easier to make than the look) coated in a thin booze-spike glaze. And, of course, there are classic gingerbread men for baking a decorating.
Read on for the 39 best gingerbread cookie recipes for Christmas. Browse through them to pick your favorites, crank on the oven—and let’s get baking!
Related: The Best Gingerbread Houses to Bake
Spiced Gingerbread Cookies
Parade
These spiced gingerbread cookies can be topped with a glaze for making cute gingerbread people, or a ginger buttercream when you crave something more decadent.
Get the recipe: Spiced Gingerbread Cookies
Betty Crocker’s Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Lori Lange
Betty Crocker’s gingerbread cookie recipe is packed with spices, and it’s definitely tender and chewy.
Get the recipe: Betty Crocker’s Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Men Cookies
Sugar Spun Run
A simple and delicious recipe for classic Gingerbread Men! These Gingerbread Cookies are made with all butter (no shortening!) for the best flavor.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Men Cookies
White Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cookies
Joy Food Sunshine
These white chocolate gingerbread cookies make the perfect holiday dessert. This classic recipe is so easy to make and contain all the best flavors of Christmas!
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Chip Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Macarons
Pies and Tacos
These are gingerbread macarons filled with gingerbread buttercream! Perfect for Christmas!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Macarons
Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Sugar Hero
Soft chocolate gingerbread cookies are the perfect holiday cookie! They’re a great blend of chocolate and gingerbread flavors, with a chocolate star in the middle, and they keep their soft and chewy texture for days.
Get the recipe: Soft Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Chewy Flourless Gingerbread Cookies
Running with Spoons
Flourless gingerbread cookies that are soft, chewy, and super easy to make with only one bowl and a handful of healthy ingredients.
Get the recipe: Flourless Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Spice Cookies
The Monday Box
Gingerbread season is here, in all of its chewy, spicy splendor! With this time saver recipe, you can quickly whip up a batch of Gingerbread Spice Cookies. There is a taste of the holidays in every scrumptious bite!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Spice Cookies
White Chocolate Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
Taste and See
These white chocolate kissed gingerbread thumbprint cookies really are the perfect Christmas cookie!
Get the recipe: White Chocolate Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
Chewy Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Delightful Adventures
Chewy, perfectly spiced, and covered with sparkly sugar, these vegan gluten free gingerbread cookies will make a welcome addition to your Christmas baking list and become a new favorite!
Get the recipe: Chewy Vegan Gluten-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Paleo Gingerbread Cookies
Foolproof Living
Made with almond flour and sweetened with coconut sugar, these warm spiced healthy gingerbread cookies are the perfect treat during the holidays.
Get the recipe: Paleo Gingerbread Cookies
Speculaas Gingerbread Cookies with Rum Butter Glaze
The Lemon Apron
The best of European spices blend with a soft gingerbread cookie to make for a cozy treat. Sending them over the moon is a simple rum and butter glaze.
Get the recipe: Speculaas Gingerbread Cookies with Rum Butter Glaze
No-Fail Gingerbread Men
Oh So Delicioso
This easy gingerbread men recipe combines rich molasses, warm spices, and deep brown sugar for cookie that is unforgettable.
Get the recipe: No-Fail Gingerbread Men
Ultimate Healthy Gingerbread Cookies
Amy's Healthy Baking
A guilt-free recipe for classic cut-out gingerbread cookies. Full of the same traditional cozy flavors but no butter, refined flour or sugar!
Get the recipe: Ultimate Healthy Gingerbread Cookies
Spiced Pumpkin Gingerbread Cookies
Ella Claire Inspired
A perfectly sweet rolled cookie for those fun days of fall baking- this spiced pumpkin gingerbread cookie is a delicious fall treat.
Get the recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Gingerbread Cookies
Extra Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Just So Tasty
These soft gingerbread cookies are a must for the holidays. They’re perfectly spiced with soft centers and the perfect gingerbread taste. The best gingerbread men I’ve ever tried!
Get the recipe: Extra Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Mommy Mouse Clubhouse
Soft and chewy gingerbread sugar cookies are a delicious rolled sugar cookie recipe with a hint of gingerbread spices!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas holiday cookie to make this season than you’ll love these Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies. Classic soft gingerbread cookies with a white chocolate center and chocolate drizzle.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
Gingerbread Oatmeal Cream Pies
Ambitious Kitchen
Amazing oatmeal cream pies with a gingerbread twist! These perfectly spiced gingerbread oatmeal cookies are sandwiched together with a delicious thick cream filling for the ultimate holiday cookie sandwich.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Oatmeal Cream Pies
Gingerbread NYC Cookies
Jane's Patisserie
Deliciously thick and chunky gingerbread-flavored gingerbread NYC cookies with white chocolate chips!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread NYC Cookies
Gingerbread Cookie Cups with Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
The Busy Baker
Soft and delicious gingerbread cookies filled with fluffy pumpkin cheesecake filling and topped with caramel sauce – these are the best holiday dessert around!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Cookie Cups with Pumpkin Cheesecake Filling
Gingerbread Magic Cookies
The Kitchen is My Playground
Love magic cookies? Then you’ll go crazy for this gingerbread Christmas version of the classic! That’s right, it’s gingerbread magic cookies, complete with a gingerbread crust, cinnamon chips, and white chocolate.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Magic Cookies
Soft Gingerbread Drop Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Impeckable Eats
In these soft gingerbread drop cookies, creamy tangy cream cheese adds a nice acidity and contrast to the spicy rich molasses flavor.
Get the recipe: Soft Gingerbread Drop Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Keto Gingerbread Cookies
Eating Cheating
These are keto gingerbread cookies, the real classic for the Christmas holidays.
Get the recipe: Keto Gingerbread Cookies
Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Bars
The Seaside Baker
Let all the best flavors of the holidays fill your senses with these Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Bars. That classic, spicy flavor wrapped in a soft cake-like dessert, and topped with a rich buttercream frosting.
Get the recipe: Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Festive Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Sugar Spun Run
Soft and chewy gingerbread cookie bars are decorated with a simple frosting and sprinkles! Flavored with all my favorite holiday spices, this is a fun festive treat for the season.
Get the recipe: Festive Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen
Gingerbread crinkle cookies are a must-try during the holidays. They are chewy, full of ginger flavor and coated in sugar with exposed cookie cracks.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Flavor the Moments
It’s not Christmas without gingerbread cookies! This is a tried and true recipe that’s packed with spicy, warm flavors and decorated with a simple vanilla icing. They’re perfect for the Christmas cookie box or tray!
Get the recipe: Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Biscotti
One Sweet Appetite
The classic Italian cookie gets the added flavor of gingerbread in this easy recipe. Perfect for giving and dunking in a cup of coffee!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Biscotti
No Spread Gingerbread Cookies
Lifestyle of a Foodie
These cookies are crispy and do not spread, so you have the perfect shape to decorate.
Get the recipe: No Spread Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Just So Tasty
These easy gingerbread cookie bars have a delicious ginger molasses flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Instead of royal icing – they’re topped with a thick layer of cream cheese frosting for the perfect Christmas treat!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Easy Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Dish by Dish
Crispy outside, soft and chewy inside, these easy gingerbread cookies are perfect for Christmas and the holidays! Gluten-free and dairy-free.
Get the recipe: Easy Gingerbread Cookies (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
Mommy Mouse Clubhouse
Soft and chewy gingerbread sugar cookies are a delicious rolled sugar cookie recipe with a hint of gingerbread spices!
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Sugar Cookies
Sugar-Free Gingerbread Cookies
Wholesome Yum
The best keto gingerbread cookies recipe to make your holidays merry and bright.
Get the recipe: Sugar Free Gingerbread Cookies
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Two Cups Flour
These big soft gingerbread cookies with a light chocolate flavor and a dusting of powdered sugar will be devoured in no time!
Get the recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Spritz Cookies
My Sequined Life
Gingerbread spritz cookies are buttery and spiced with classic gingerbread flavors in this easily shaped version of gingerbread cookies. This flavored spritz cookie recipe makes more than enough for a crowd.
Get the recipe: Gingerbread Spritz Cookies
Easy Ginger Bread Cookies with Royal Icing
The View from Great Island
It’s that time of year and this gingerbread cookie recipe is easy to work with, and delicious!
Get the recipe: Easy Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
Amazing Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Joy Food Sunshine
These soft gingerbread cookies are so easy to make – no rolling or cutting-out necessary to enjoy this rich & nostalgic gingerbread recipe!
Get the recipe: Amazing Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Chocolate Chunk Gingerbread Cookies
Stephanie's Sweets
These chocolate gingerbread cookies use a healthy sugar alternative. The cookies are chewy, soft, and healthy! They have chopped chocolate chunks that are sweetened with Stevia.
Get the recipe: Chocolate Chunk Gingerbread Cookies
The Holiday Cookie Menu
- The Best 9 Holiday Shortbread Recipes
- 45 Must-Bake Chocolate Cookies for Christmas
- 54 Sugar Cookie Recipes That Will Bring Major Wow-Factor
- 50 Unique Christmas Cookie Decorating Ideas Worth Your Consideration
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