Irresistible Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies: A Perfect Blend of Sweet and Spice
Delight your senses with these Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies, a sensational fusion of two beloved classics: the sweet, crinkly snickerdoodle and the warm, spicy gingerbread. Whether it’s the holiday season or any time you crave a comforting treat, these cookies deliver an unparalleled experience of sugary bliss and aromatic spice. Their wonderfully soft, craggy texture combined with an inviting aroma makes them an absolute favorite for every occasion.

The Magic Behind Gingerdoodle Cookies
What exactly defines a gingerdoodle? Imagine the best qualities of a classic snickerdoodle—its signature tang from cream of tartar, its soft, chewy interior, and its delightful cinnamon-sugar coating—beautifully combined with the sophisticated warmth and deep flavor of a gingerbread cookie. The result is a uniquely delightful cookie that boasts a perfect balance of cinnamon sweetness and a gentle, inviting ginger kick. It’s a harmonious marriage of flavors that truly takes a simple cookie to an extraordinary level.
These cookies are characterized by their inviting crinkled tops, a generous dusting of spiced sugar, and an incredibly tender crumb. The secret lies not just in the balanced blend of spices, but also in the subtle addition of pure maple syrup, which enhances their chewiness and adds a nuanced depth that sets them apart from your everyday cookie.

Why Gingerdoodles Are Perfect for Any Season
While often associated with festive gatherings and chilly winter evenings, these Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies defy seasonal boundaries. Their comforting flavors are welcome all year long. Imagine enjoying a crisp lemon cookie on a warm summer day, and then transitioning to these spiced wonders as the air turns cooler. There’s an undeniable comfort in the aroma and taste of sugar and spice that transcends seasons, making these cookies a versatile treat for any time.
They are sweet, delightfully simple to make, and universally adored. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, need a quick dessert for a weeknight, or simply want to treat yourself, gingerdoodles are an excellent choice. Their charming appearance and delightful taste make them a fantastic addition to any cookie platter, bringing joy and warmth to every bite.

Expand Your Cookie Repertoire: Brown Butter Salted Snickerdoodles
If you’re a fan of unique twists on classic cookies, you’ll also adore Brown Butter Salted Snickerdoodle Cookies. The nutty depth of brown butter combined with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt elevates the traditional snickerdoodle to an entirely new dimension of deliciousness. It’s another innovative cookie recipe that promises to impress and satisfy even the most discerning palates.
Prepare to Be Amazed by Every Bite
From the moment you lay eyes on their perfectly crinkled, sugar-dusted surfaces to the very first bite that reveals their soft, chewy interior, these gingerdoodle cookies are designed to amaze. They are not just cookies; they are an experience. Their rich, comforting flavor profile makes them an outstanding choice for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, or simply as a sweet indulgence throughout the season. They are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth and leave a lasting impression.

Essential Ingredients for Your Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies
Crafting the perfect Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies begins with a selection of high-quality ingredients and a few essential baking tools. Here’s what you’ll need to gather to bring these delightful treats to life (for precise measurements, refer to the detailed recipe card below):
Dough Ingredients:
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of our chewy texture.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Our leavening agents, crucial for the cookies’ rise and characteristic crinkle.
- Ground cinnamon and ground ginger: The heart of our spice blend, offering warmth and a gentle kick.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and moisture, ideally softened to room temperature for optimal creaming.
- Granulated sugar: For sweetness and contributes to the cookie’s tender crumb.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds structure.
- Pure maple syrup: A unique ingredient that adds depth of flavor and enhances chewiness.
- Pure vanilla extract: A classic flavor enhancer that complements the spices.
Coating Ingredients:
- Granulated sugar: Forms the crunchy, sweet exterior.
- Cinnamon and ground ginger: Infuses the coating with extra spice and aroma.
Recommended Tools:
- Baking sheets: Essential for baking your cookies evenly.
- Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
- Cooling rack: Allows air circulation for even cooling and prevents soggy bottoms.
- Medium mixing bowl: For combining dry ingredients.
- Whisk: To properly blend dry ingredients and the spice coating.
- Electric mixer (stand or hand-held): For creaming butter and sugar, ensuring a fluffy dough.
- Cookie scoop (2-tablespoon): For uniform cookie size, ensuring even baking.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies
Follow these detailed steps to bake a batch of homemade Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies that are sure to impress.
1. Prepare Your Workspace
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for even baking.
- Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly spray them with non-stick cooking spray. Parchment paper is highly recommended for easy release and consistent baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and kosher salt. Whisking thoroughly ensures all leavening agents and spices are evenly distributed, leading to uniform flavor and texture in every cookie. Set this mixture aside.
3. Cream Wet Ingredients
- In the bowl of an electric mixer (stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer), beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This process incorporates air, contributing to the cookies’ final texture.
- Add the large egg, pure maple syrup, and pure vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Continue beating until all ingredients are well combined and smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.

4. Mix Dough and Chill
- Gradually add the reserved flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain.
- Using a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop or by hand, roll the dough into uniform balls. Place these dough balls onto the parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a couple of inches between each.
- Place the baking sheet with the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes. Chilling the dough helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking and allows the flavors to meld. Use this time to prepare your spice coating.
5. Prepare the Spice Coating
- In a small, separate bowl, whisk together the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of ground ginger. This aromatic blend will give our gingerdoodles their signature sparkle and extra kick.

6. Coat the Dough Balls
- Take the chilled dough balls and roll each one generously in the sugar-spice mixture, ensuring they are fully coated. This coating not only adds flavor but also helps create that beautiful crinkled top.

7. Arrange on Baking Sheets
- Place the coated dough balls a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Give them enough space to spread slightly during baking without touching each other.

8. Bake to Perfection
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the tops are slightly cracked. The centers should still look soft. Don’t overbake; these cookies are best when they remain delightfully chewy. They will puff up in the oven and then settle into their characteristic crinkled shape as they cool.

9. Cool and Enjoy
- Allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes after removing them from the oven. This helps them set and firm up.
- Carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling on a rack ensures proper air circulation, preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy and maintaining their chewy texture.

Tips for Gingerdoodle Perfection
- **Room Temperature Ingredients:** Ensure your butter and egg are at room temperature. This allows them to cream together more easily, creating a smoother, more emulsified batter that traps air better, resulting in lighter, fluffier cookies.
- **Don’t Overmix:** Once the flour is added, mix only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, dense cookies instead of soft, chewy ones.
- **Measure Flour Correctly:** Spoon and level your flour into the measuring cup rather than scooping directly from the bag. Too much flour can make your cookies dry and crumbly.
- **Consistent Cookie Size:** Use a cookie scoop to ensure all your dough balls are the same size. This promotes even baking, so all your cookies are perfectly done at the same time.
- **Adjust Bake Time:** Oven temperatures can vary. Keep an eye on your cookies during the last few minutes of baking. They should be lightly golden at the edges but still appear soft in the center when removed from the oven.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
Proper storage ensures your Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies remain fresh and delicious for longer.
- **Storing Baked Gingerdoodles:** Once completely cooled, store your gingerdoodles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For best flavor and texture, enjoy them within the first 2-3 days.
- **Freezing Baked Gingerdoodles:** To extend their shelf life, allow the cookies to cool completely. Stack them with small pieces of parchment paper between each layer to prevent sticking. Place them in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply let them thaw completely at room temperature before serving.
- **Freezing Gingerdoodle Cookie Dough:** You can prepare the dough in advance and freeze it. Wrap the unbaked cookie dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. To bake, defrost the dough in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, shape it into balls and proceed with the recipe as instructed.
- **Alternatively, for individual dough balls:** After rolling the dough into 2-tablespoon sized balls, flash freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet for about 1 hour until firm. Then, transfer the frozen dough balls to a freezer-safe container or baggie. They can be stored for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, defrost them overnight in the refrigerator, then roll in the spice coating and bake as directed.

More Delicious Cookie Recipes to Explore
As a true cookie enthusiast, I am thrilled to share an array of my most beloved creations. Explore My Favorite Cookie Recipes, a curated collection crafted with passion and precision. From classic chocolate chip to innovative flavor combinations, these treats represent absolute cookie perfection and are guaranteed to satisfy every craving.
If you bake these Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies and capture a picture to share on social media, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @thebakermama! 😍 I absolutely love seeing your inspired and creative interpretations of the recipes and ideas I share. Enjoy every single bite!
xoxo,


Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies
- Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 30 cookies
- Category: Dessert
Description
The perfect cookie for the holiday season (or any season!), these Chewy Gingerdoodle Cookies are filled with sugar and spice and they taste oh so nice!
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Coating:
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or spray with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Slowly beat in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Roll dough into 2-tablespoon sized balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 10 minutes while you prepare the coating.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon ginger. Roll each ball of dough generously in the sugar-spice mixture and place a few inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown and slightly cracked on top. They’ll puff up as they bake and then quickly settle into their shape when you take them out of the oven. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
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