There’s something magical about making Iced Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies during the holidays. The first time I tried these, I was visiting friends in the U.S., and their kitchen smelled like Christmas warm spices, sweet molasses, and a hint of citrus. I remember helping to roll the dough and carefully cutting out snowflakes, each one unique, while the soft holiday music played in the background.
Back in Crete, my grandmother’s kitchen was full of traditional Greek desserts, but we never made gingerbread cookies. Still, I fell in love instantly. Baking these cookies reminded me of her lessons about patience and love in the kitchen. Every cut, every sprinkle, every swirl of icing felt like a tiny act of joy.
Now, every December, I make Iced Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies in my own kitchen. It’s messy flour on the counters, frosting on my sleeves but the warmth, the smells, and the laughter make it one of my favorite holiday rituals. Plus, these cookies are beautiful, fun to decorate, and perfect for gifting or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa.
If you’re looking for a festive cookie recipe that combines fun, flavor, and holiday charm, these Iced Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies are exactly what you need. They’re simple enough for beginners, yet rewarding for anyone who loves decorating and spreading holiday cheer.
About These Cookies
These cookies are soft yet firm enough to hold intricate snowflake shapes. The dough is rich with molasses and a blend of classic holiday spices ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg that fill your home with a cozy aroma. Once baked, the cookies are decorated with royal icing, creating delicate, sparkling snowflakes perfect for decorating a holiday table or wrapping as gifts.
Whether you’re baking with kids, friends, or solo, these cookies make the holidays feel extra special. They’re not just treats they’re tiny canvases of creativity and love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Icing
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk or water
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even spice distribution for perfectly flavored cookies.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This creates tender cookies with just the right chewiness.
Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients
Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. You’ll get a thick, fragrant dough perfect for rolling and cutting shapes.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Chilling prevents spreading and makes rolling easier.
Step 6: Roll and Cut Shapes
Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use snowflake cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 8–10 minutes. Edges should be set but centers soft.
Step 8: Prepare Royal Icing
Mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust consistency for piping. Divide and color as desired.
Step 9: Decorate
Once cookies are completely cooled, pipe icing to create delicate snowflakes. Add sprinkles or edible glitter for sparkle.
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy with hot cocoa topped with whipped cream.
- Wrap in decorative cellophane bags for holiday gifts.
- Serve on a festive plate during parties or family gatherings.
- Use as edible ornaments by making a small hole before baking.
- Arrange on a holiday cookie platter for a beautiful centerpiece.
No matter how you serve them, Iced Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies are guaranteed to impress and delight.
Printable Recipe Card ❄️🍪
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 20 minutes
- Chill: 1 hour
- Bake: 8–10 minutes
- Total: ~1 hour 30 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 3 cups flour
- 1 tbsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla
- For icing: powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, optional food coloring & sprinkles
👩🍳 Instructions
- Whisk dry ingredients.
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Add egg, molasses, vanilla.
- Combine dry and wet mixtures.
- Chill 1 hour.
- Roll and cut snowflake shapes.
- Bake 350°F, 8–10 mins.
- Decorate with royal icing once cooled.
✍️ Notes
- Dough must be chilled to keep shapes sharp.
- Adjust spices to taste.
- Store in airtight container up to 1 week.
- Royal icing can be thinned for flooding or thickened for piping.
🍫 Nutrition (per cookie)
- Calories: 115
- Carbs: 20g
- Fat: 4g
- Sugar: 11g
- Protein: 1g
Conclusion
Making Iced Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies is more than baking it’s about creating joy, memories, and holiday magic. Each cookie carries warmth, spice, and love from your kitchen to the hearts of family and friends. Decorating them allows for creativity, whether you’re a beginner or a pro.
These cookies are the perfect combination of soft, flavorful dough and beautiful iced details, making them ideal for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly evening. Bring a little sparkle to your holidays with these festive, cozy, and delicious snowflake treats.