Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

This soft, chewy Trader Joes Gingerbread Cookies Recipe is made with dark molasses and ground ginger and ready in 55 minutes. Pulling the warm tray from the oven as the spiced scent fills your kitchen brings pure comfort. I always make a double batch because they disappear fast.

Why This Classic Works

I struggled for years to get that perfect bakery texture at home. My cookies usually ended up far too hard and brittle. The turning point was realizing that dark molasses and a slightly lower baking temperature keep the centers incredibly soft.

Rolling the dough balls in coarse sugar before baking adds that signature crinkly top and subtle crunch. I learned to take them out while they still look slightly underdone, letting them set on the hot baking sheet.

Trader Joes Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 1/3 cup coarse sparkling sugar (for rolling)

How To Make Trader Joes Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

1. 1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. 2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
3. 3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. 4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and molasses until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
5. 5. Combine and Chill: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then chill the dough for 30 minutes.
6. 6. Roll and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll them in coarse sugar, and bake for 9 to 11 minutes.

Recipe Tips

• Measure flour properly: Spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off to prevent dense cookies.
• Do not overbake: Pull the cookies from the oven when the centers still look slightly soft.
• Chill the dough: Giving the dough 30 minutes in the fridge stops the cookies from spreading too thin on the pan.

What To Serve With Gingerbread Cookies

These spiced cookies pair beautifully with a warm mug of hot cocoa or a frothy eggnog latte. For a festive dessert spread, serve them alongside sharp cheddar cheese slices and crisp apple wedges to balance the sweetness.

How To Store

Store these cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days to keep them soft. You can also freeze the baked cookies or unbaked dough balls for up to three months.

FAQs

Can I use light molasses instead of dark?

Yes, light molasses will work perfectly fine for this recipe. The cookies will just have a slightly milder flavor and lighter color.

Why did my cookies come out flat?

Flat cookies are usually the result of butter that was too warm or skipping the dough chilling step. Always use room temperature butter.

Do I have to roll them in coarse sugar?

No, regular granulated sugar works if you do not have coarse sugar. The coarse sugar just provides a better crunch and bakery style finish.

Nutrition

• Calories: 140 kcal
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 90mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 20g
• Protein: 1g

Try More Recipes:

• Trader Joes Salted Caramel Chips Recipe
• Trader Joes Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
• Trader Joes Cookie Butter Recipe

Trader Joes Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Recipe by Nate Collins

Servings

24

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Total time

55

minutes

Soft and chewy Trader Joes Gingerbread Cookies Recipe packed with rich dark molasses and ground ginger, ready in just 55 minutes for an effortless holiday treat.

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/4 cup dark molasses

• 1/3 cup coarse sparkling sugar (for rolling)

Directions

• 1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
• 2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
• 3. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• 4. Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and molasses until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl.
• 5. Combine and Chill: Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined, then chill the dough for 30 minutes.
• 6. Roll and Bake: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough, roll them in coarse sugar, and bake for 9 to 11 minutes.