Irresistible Chocolate Gingersnaps Recipe for Sweet Spice Lovers

When rich, spicy chocolate gingersnaps dance across your taste buds, magic happens in the kitchen.

These delectable cookies blend warm, aromatic spices with deep cocoa notes for an unforgettable treat.

Traditional gingersnap recipes get a luxurious chocolate makeover that redefines ordinary baking into an extraordinary experience.

Crisp edges and soft centers create a textural symphony that delights dessert lovers of all ages.

Sweet meets heat in this clever cookie variation that elevates classic comfort flavors.

Bakers seeking a sophisticated twist on a beloved classic will find these chocolate gingersnaps irresistibly compelling.

Craving a dessert that sparks conversation and wows dinner guests requires just a few simple ingredients.

What People Love About Chocolate Gingersnaps

• Savor Rich Chocolate Warmth: These gingersnaps blend deep cocoa flavors with warming spices, creating a luxurious winter-perfect cookie that hugs your taste buds with comforting intensity.
• Enjoy Effortless Baking Magic: The straightforward recipe requires minimal skills, making it perfect for beginners and experienced bakers who want a quick, delightful treat without complicated techniques.
• Celebrate Texture Perfection: Crackly exterior meets soft interior, delivering a satisfying crunch that gives way to a tender, spice-infused center that keeps you reaching for another cookie.
• Craft Holiday Memories: Packed with classic holiday spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these cookies transform simple baking into a nostalgic experience that connects family and friends through delicious tradition.

Ingredients Behind Chocolate Gingersnaps

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and texture for the gingersnap cookies.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cookies.

• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves: Classic warm spices that create a complex, aromatic flavor profile for the gingersnaps.

• Butter, Brown Sugar: Creamy base that ensures soft, tender cookies with caramel-like depth.
• Molasses: Gives traditional gingersnap flavor and helps create a chewy texture.
• Fresh Gingerroot: Adds a bright, zesty ginger kick to complement the ground spices.

• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread during baking.
• Water: Helps bind ingredients and maintain moisture in the dough.

• Granulated Sugar: Provides a sweet, crisp coating for rolling cookie balls before baking.

• Chocolate: Adds extra richness and chocolate depth to the traditional gingersnap recipe.

Making Chocolate Gingersnaps from Scratch

Step 1: Create Creamy Base

Grab your mixing bowl and whip butter and brown sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud. This magical process takes about 5-7 minutes. Blend in molasses, water, and freshly grated gingerroot until everything looks smooth and inviting.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, ground ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gently fold these spicy treasures into your creamy mixture. Sprinkle chocolate chips throughout the dough for extra yumminess.

Step 3: Chill The Dough

Cover your cookie mixture and let it rest in the refrigerator. This magical waiting period allows flavors to mingle and dough to firm up- about 2 hours.

Step 4: Prepare Baking Station

Heat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them.

Step 5: Shape Cookies

Roll dough into small, adorable 1-inch balls. Give each cookie a luxurious roll in granulated sugar for a sparkling finish.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Place cookies 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes until tiny cracks appear on top.

Step 7: Cool And Enjoy

Let cookies rest for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire cooling racks. Watch them transform into crispy, chocolatey gingersnap delights!

Pro Tips for Better Chocolate Gingersnaps

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least 2 hours to enhance flavor and prevent spreading during baking.
• Measure Spices Precisely: Use fresh, high-quality ground spices to ensure a rich, robust ginger and chocolate flavor profile.
• Roll Consistently: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniform 1-inch balls for even baking and professional-looking cookies.
• Sugar Coating Trick: Roll balls generously in granulated sugar before baking to create a delightful crackly exterior and sweet crunch.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Remove cookies when tops just begin to crack to maintain a soft, chewy center and prevent over-browning.

How to Keep Chocolate Gingersnaps Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Wrap cookies tightly in freezer bag or container, keeping fresh for 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for soft, delicious texture.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or place in preheated 300°F oven for 2-3 minutes to restore original softness and enhance chocolate and ginger flavors.

What Pairs Well with Chocolate Gingersnaps

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Brew a rich, aromatic chai tea that echoes the ginger and spice notes in these chocolate gingersnaps. The warming blend of cardamom, cinnamon, and black tea perfectly complements the cookie's deep chocolate and ginger flavors.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Serve these crisp, spicy cookies alongside a scoop of smooth vanilla bean ice cream. The cool, sweet creaminess balances the cookie's intense chocolate and zingy ginger profile, creating a delightful contrast in temperature and texture.
• Enjoy with Dark Roast Coffee: Pour a steaming mug of bold, dark roast coffee to enhance the cookies' rich chocolate and warming spice characteristics. The coffee's robust, slightly bitter notes create a harmonious pairing that brings out the depth of the gingersnaps.
• Complement with Mulled Red Wine: Select a lightly spiced mulled red wine that mirrors the cookie's warm spice blend. The wine's subtle heat and fruity undertones provide an elegant accompaniment that elevates the chocolate gingersnaps into a sophisticated dessert experience.

Unique Takes on Chocolate Gingersnaps

• Spicy Chocolate Crunch: Add crushed red pepper flakes and dark chocolate chips for a fiery, intense flavor profile with extra texture.
• Nutty Ginger Chocolate: Incorporate chopped pecans or almonds into the dough for a rich, crunchy element that complements the chocolate and spice.
• Espresso Chocolate Snap: Mix in instant espresso powder to enhance the chocolate depth and create a sophisticated, bold cookie experience.
• Orange Chocolate Ginger: Zest fresh orange peel into the dough to introduce a bright, citrusy note that pairs beautifully with the chocolate and warm spices.

Chocolate Gingersnaps Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Chocolate gingersnaps offer a delightful twist on classic holiday cookies, blending rich cocoa with warm, spicy ginger. Crisp edges and chewy centers make these treats irresistible companions for your winter evening tea or coffee.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 7 ounces (198 grams) semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• ½ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar

Spices and Flavoring:

• 1 ¼ teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon baking cocoa

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup coarse sugar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Whip softened butter and rich brown sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, airy consistency, ensuring thorough incorporation of ingredients.
2. Introduce robust molasses, cool water, and freshly grated gingerroot into the creamed base, blending until a smooth, fragrant mixture forms.
3. Sift together an aromatic blend of flour, deep cocoa powder, ground ginger, baking soda, warm cinnamon, earthy nutmeg, and pungent cloves in a separate bowl.
4. Gradually fold the dry spice mixture into the wet ingredients, creating a cohesive chocolate-spiced dough. Gently fold in chocolate fragments for extra decadence.
5. Wrap the dough and allow it to rest in the refrigerator, enabling flavors to meld and texture to firm up, approximately 2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F, creating a warm environment for baking.
7. Roll the chilled dough into perfectly round, bite-sized spheres, each approximately 1 inch in diameter.
8. Generously coat each cookie ball in sparkling granulated sugar, ensuring a crisp, sweet exterior.
9. Arrange the sugar-dusted cookies on lightly greased baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart to allow for spreading.
10. Bake until the cookie tops develop delicate, characteristic cracking patterns, roughly 10-12 minutes.
11. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet to set, then transfer to wire cooling racks.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to enhance flavor development and make handling easier.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and better cookie texture.
• Fresh ground ginger provides a more intense, vibrant spice compared to pre-ground ginger.
• Roll cookies in granulated sugar before baking for a delightful crackled surface and sweet crunch.
• Allow cookies to cool briefly on baking sheet before transferring to prevent breaking.
• Store in airtight container for up to one week to maintain soft, chewy texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 50 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg