The Story & Intro
There’s something magical about the holidays in Crete. Even though gingerbread isn’t a traditional Greek recipe, the warm spices in soft and chewy gingerbread cookies always remind me of winter evenings with my grandmother. She used to say that every home should smell like love, and honestly, soft and chewy gingerbread cookies do exactly that.
When I first started baking them, I was convinced they were too “American” and wouldn’t fit into our Mediterranean kitchen. But one chilly December afternoon, I mixed molasses with cinnamon and ginger, and suddenly the whole house smelled like a cozy story. I knew instantly these would become a tradition in my home and maybe yours too.
I still laugh when I think about that day flour all over my apron, dough sticking to my fingers, and my grandmother peeking over my shoulder saying, “Add a little more love… and maybe a bit more ginger.” She had a way of making everything feel simple. And that’s exactly why I love sharing these soft and chewy gingerbread cookies today. They’re easy, comforting, and perfect for anyone who loves a cookie that bends before it breaks.
Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising friends, or simply craving something warm and nostalgic, soft and chewy gingerbread cookies bring joy with every bite. They’re full of holiday spirit, but honestly delicious any time of year. I hope this recipe brings your kitchen the same warmth and happiness it brings mine.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional
- Extra sugar for rolling
- Icing for decorating
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, baking soda, and salt. This creates the perfectly spiced foundation for your soft and chewy gingerbread cookies.
2. Cream the Butter & Sugar
Use a mixer to beat the butter and brown sugar for about 2–3 minutes. The mixture should be light, fluffy, and slightly pale.
3. Add Molasses, Egg & Vanilla
Mix in the molasses until fully combined. Then add the egg and vanilla. The dough will become darker and shinier that’s exactly what you want.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until a soft dough forms. It will be a little sticky, and that’s perfect.
5. Chill the Dough
Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. Chilling helps the spices develop and keeps the cookies thick, soft, and chewy.
6. Shape & Roll
Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and roll them gently in sugar if you want sparkly tops.
7. Bake
Place the dough balls on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes. Remove when the centers look slightly underbaked they’ll finish setting on the pan.
8. Cool & Decorate
Let them cool for 10 minutes before decorating with icing (optional).
Serving Suggestions
Soft and chewy gingerbread cookies pair beautifully with a warm drink. Serve them:
- with hot chocolate
- dipped in milk
- alongside a festive holiday dessert table
- packaged as gifts in little bags with ribbons
They stay soft for days, so they’re perfect for make-ahead baking.
Tips Before the Conclusion Recipe Card Style 📝
⏰ Time
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Chill: 1 hour
- Bake: 10 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour 25 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- Listed above ☝️
🧑🍳 Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients
- Cream butter + sugar
- Add molasses, egg, vanilla
- Combine wet + dry
- Chill dough
- Shape, roll, bake
- Cool & decorate
💡 Notes
- Don’t skip chilling — it guarantees chewy texture.
- Slightly underbake for softer cookies.
- Adjust spices to your taste (more ginger = more warmth).
🍪 Nutrition (Approx., per cookie)
- Calories: 110
- Fat: 4.5g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sugar: 9g
- Protein: 1g
Conclusion
These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies are everything I love about baking: simple, comforting, and made to be shared. Every time I pull a tray from the oven, that warm spice fills the kitchen and brings me right back to childhood moments with my grandmother. Whether you’re new to baking or already confident in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow and always delivers something special.
I hope these cookies bring just as much warmth to your home and maybe even inspire new traditions. After all, cooking isn’t just about food; it’s about sharing stories, creating memories, and filling your home with love.
100-Word Story Version
Hi, I’m Marilyn from the beautiful island of Crete. Even though gingerbread isn’t a Greek classic, I fell in love with soft and chewy gingerbread cookies one winter afternoon. The warm spices reminded me of the cozy evenings I spent baking with my grandmother. She always said a kitchen should smell like love, and this recipe does exactly that. These cookies are simple, tender, and perfect for sharing. Whether you’re baking for the holidays or just craving something sweet and warm, this recipe brings joy to every bite and a little magic to your kitchen.