If you’re looking to delight your taste buds with a cozy treat that’s packed with warm spices and a luscious creamy center, this Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe is exactly what you need. These soft, chewy cookies have the perfect blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, beautifully complemented by a smooth vanilla-infused filling. They come together quickly and make for a wonderful snack or a charming addition to any holiday gathering, promising smiles and satisfied palates with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these irresistible Ginger Sandwich Cookies, you’ll need a handful of pantry staples that work together to build layers of flavor and texture. Each ingredient has a special role, whether it’s enhancing spice, contributing softness, or adding that final touch of sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Both in the cookie and filling, it gives richness and tenderness to the dough and creaminess to the frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and creates a slight crisp outer layer when rolling the dough balls.
- Egg: Acts as a binding agent, locking all ingredients together for a chewy texture.
- Molasses: Brings deep, robust flavor and moisture, essential for that classic gingerbread taste.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the cookie’s structure and helps balance the ingredients.
- Baking soda: The leavening agent that helps cookies spread just right and become tender.
- Ground ginger: The star spice that gives the cookies their signature warm kick.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds sweetness and warmth that complements the ginger perfectly.
- Ground cloves: Provides a rich, slightly sweet spiciness that elevates the overall flavor.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and spice.
- Powdered sugar: For a fluffy and sweet frosting that sandwiches the cookies together.
- Vanilla extract: Imparts a gentle aroma and depth to the filling.
- Heavy cream: Used sparingly to achieve the ideal creamy consistency in the filling.
- Additional granulated sugar: For rolling the dough balls, which adds a delightful crunch.
How to Make Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Cookie Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper—this helps the cookies bake evenly and prevents sticking, creating an easy cleanup process that you’ll appreciate later.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This crucial step incorporates air into the dough, contributing to tender, melt-in-your-mouth cookies.
Step 3: Add Egg and Molasses
Next, beat in the egg to bind the mixture. Follow that by stirring in the molasses until the batter becomes smooth and glossy. The molasses adds moisture and that classic gingerbread depth you’re craving.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. This blend of spices ensures every bite is bursting with warmth and just the right amount of heat.
Step 5: Mix Dry Ingredients Into Wet
Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients, folding gently to combine. Avoid overmixing here to keep your cookies tender and prevent them from becoming too dense.
Step 6: Shape and Sugar Coat Cookies
Roll your dough into 1-inch balls, then generously coat each one in granulated sugar. This sugary exterior bakes into a subtly crunchy shell that beautifully contrasts the soft inside.
Step 7: Bake the Cookies
Place the sugared dough balls on the prepared sheets, leaving about 2 inches between each to allow for spreading. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges just set and the centers look soft, ensuring a chewy texture.
Step 8: Cool Cookies
After baking, let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents breaking and allows them to cool completely before adding the filling.
Step 9: Prepare the Filling
Beat softened butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar gradually, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla extract, and add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until you reach a spreadable consistency that’s perfect for sandwiching.
Step 10: Assemble the Sandwich Cookies
Spread or pipe the creamy filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then gently press another cookie on top to create the perfect sandwich. Repeat until all of your cookies are paired off, and voilà—you’ve made scrumptious Ginger Sandwich Cookies.
How to Serve Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To make your Ginger Sandwich Cookies look extra inviting, consider dusting them lightly with powdered sugar or adding a tiny sprinkle of finely chopped crystallized ginger on top of the filling. This adds a pop of texture and enhances the ginger flavor beautifully.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of chai tea or a creamy latte, where the spices in both the drink and cookie harmonize perfectly. For a festive touch, serve alongside a bowl of spiced apple cider or warm mulled wine.
Creative Ways to Present
For gifting or special occasions, try stacking the cookies in a decorative tin or tying a bundle with rustic twine and a sprig of fresh rosemary or cinnamon stick. You can even sandwich a thin slice of candied ginger inside for a delightful surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover Ginger Sandwich Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Make sure they are completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain their perfect texture.
Freezing
If you’d like to keep these cookies longer, they freeze beautifully. Arrange the unfilled cookies on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze the frosting separately if possible, then assemble once thawed for best results.
Reheating
These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but if you prefer a warm treat, pop them in a low oven (around 300°F) for 5 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the cookies soggy or melt the filling unevenly.
FAQs
Can I substitute molasses with honey or maple syrup?
Molasses has a distinct flavor and moisture level crucial to Ginger Sandwich Cookies. While you can experiment with honey or maple syrup, know that the taste and texture will differ slightly—expect less depth and potentially softer cookies.
How do I prevent the filling from being too runny?
Adding heavy cream slowly while beating the filling is key. If it feels too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken. The filling should be smooth but still thick enough to hold its shape when spread or piped.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend that includes xanthan gum. This swap keeps the cookies tender without sacrificing flavor, although slight texture differences may occur.
Is it better to use fresh ground spices or pre-ground?
Freshly ground spices offer the most intense flavor and aroma. However, high-quality pre-ground spices work perfectly well, and are much more convenient for this Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe.
How long do these cookies keep their freshness?
When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, the cookies stay fresh and delicious for about 5 days. Beyond that, the texture may start to change, so enjoy them sooner for the best experience.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough giving this Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe a try—whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out. The blend of spices and luscious filling creates a cozy, irresistible treat that’s perfect any time you crave something sweet with a little kick. Once you taste these, I’m sure you’ll be hooked just like I am!
Print
Ginger Sandwich Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 18 sandwich cookies 1x
Description
Classic ginger sandwich cookies featuring soft, spiced ginger cookies filled with a smooth vanilla buttercream. These delightful treats combine the warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves with a sweet, creamy filling perfect for sharing during holiday seasons or any cozy occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Additional granulated sugar, for rolling
Filling
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender cookie texture.
- Add Egg and Molasses: Beat in the egg thoroughly, then mix in the molasses until the batter is smooth and evenly combined, imparting the signature rich flavor.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt to ensure even distribution of the spices and leavening agent.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape Dough Balls: Roll the dough into 1-inch balls, then coat each ball in additional granulated sugar to give the cookies a sugar-crystal crust that adds texture and sparkle.
- Bake the Cookies: Place the sugar-coated dough balls on the prepared baking sheets spaced about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Cool Cookies: Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they firm up for sandwiching.
- Prepare the Filling: Beat the softened butter until smooth in a clean bowl. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue beating until the filling becomes fluffy and light.
- Flavor and Adjust Filling Consistency: Stir in the vanilla extract. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of heavy cream as needed to achieve a spreadable consistency perfect for sandwiching cookies.
- Assemble the Sandwich Cookies: Spread or pipe the vanilla buttercream filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then top with another cookie to form a sandwich. Repeat with the remaining cookies.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened (not melted) to ensure proper creaming with sugar.
- Use parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent cookies from sticking and ease cleanup.
- Adjust the amount of heavy cream in the filling to get the perfect spreadable texture; add gradually.
- Cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- For an extra festive touch, sprinkle a little cinnamon sugar on the filling before sandwiching.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
