Gingerbread Recipes to Spice Up This Holiday Season

I’m serving up all things gingerbread! From decadent cakes and cookies to festive cocktails and cinnamon rolls, each gingerbread recipe infuses the classic holiday spice into a variety of delightful treats. Perfect for adding warmth and coziness to your Christmas celebrations, these unique and mouthwatering gingerbread recipes are sure to become favorite holiday recipes.

When it comes to the holiday season, my house becomes Central Station for Christmas cookies. A Christmas classic, I always turn to my trusty gingerbread cookie recipe when I want some instant comfort.

And since I love gingerbread so much, I’ve started to experiment over the years and have created many recipes inspired by the cookie.

Gingerbread Recipes to Spice Up This Holiday Season

These gingerbread recipes listed below include all the things we love most about gingerbread. The signature ginger flavor combined with molasses, cinnamon, and clove provides a sweet yet spicy taste that the world has fallen in love with.

And no matter which recipe you choose, I guarantee your home will smell cheery and cozy after baking these gingerbread-inspired recipes.

What would Christmas be without gingerbread? Go with a classic or turn the tradition on its head with one of these unique gingerbread recipes. Either way, it’s time to fire up the oven and make some gingerbread.

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Tips for Making Gingerbread Recipes

1. Chill your dough. To make any kind of cutouts for gingerbread shapes, you’re going to need to chill your dough beforehand. This ensures it doesn’t get too sticky for the counter, cutouts, or rolling pin and that it holds its shape while you transfer it to the baking sheet. You don’t want to over flour the surface.

2. Make sure to allow enough time. Include the chill time of at least four hours or overnight in addition to the baking time. Plus, if you plan on using any icing, be it for cookies or cake, you’ll need to wait for your gingerbread recipe to completely cool. So, sit back and cozy up with a cocktail while you wait.

Must-Have Gingerbread Equipment

When it comes to Christmas baking, there are a few things you have to hand on hand to make these gingerbread recipes. Here are some of my go-to’s.

• Cookie sheet
• Rolling pin
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Silicone spatula
• Parchment paper sheets
• Mixing bowls
• Powdered Sugar Dusting Wand
• Piping bottles

Other special kitchen tools are mentioned in the recipe if they call for one.

Creative Gingerbread Recipes

1. Gingerbread Cookies

Every person needs to have their go-to gingerbread cookie recipe, so make sure to bookmark this one! I adorn mine with icing and make an afternoon out of decorating cookies. And trust me, they taste as amazing as they look.

Better yet, if you leave them out for a couple of days, they also make for wonderful Christmas decor. I use them to make ornaments, to accompany gift tags, make a snow globe, create a gingerbread wreath…the options are endless!

They’re festive, affordable, and smell fantastic wherever you use them.

 

2. Gingerbread Cup Huggers

If you’re making some hot cocoa this Christmas, you need to make these cup huggers! They hang over the edge of a mug as the cutest adornment. While they may look tricky to make, all you need is the right cookie cutter.

Once you have all the pieces baked, assemble them with some icing to make them 100% edible. They would make the best addition to a hot chocolate bar at your holiday party. While you sip your cocoa, you’ll also have a tasty treat!

3. Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cake Recipe

This Christmas tree gingerbread cake is so fun to include on your holiday table spread. While it may look complicated, even the most novice bakers can make this delicious treat!

The trick in making this cake is using a tree-shaped baking pan. Top it off with green cream cheese icing and candy ornaments and you have yourself an edible tree! The cake itself is rich and bursting with gingerbread flavor.

 

4. Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies

These Christmas tree cookies are a different, colorful take on my classic gingerbread cookie recipe. I love using royal icing to decorate cookies. They give such an upscale and elegant look that makes it look as though these cookies came from a professional baker.

It does take some patience and practice, so make sure to make some test cookies to practice on (and eat of course)!

5. Gingerbread Thermos Cookies

I had so much fun making those Christmas tree gingerbread cookies that I had to give it another go. Using the same gingerbread dough recipe, I used a vintage thermos cookie cutter to create these adorable plaid thermos cookies. They might be my favorite.

I think they are so cute and have the perfect touch of nostalgia. They are quite delicious too!

 

6. Gingerbread Cake with Crumb Topping

This Gingerbread Cake with Crumb Topping is a festive and easy-to-make dessert for the Christmas and winter seasons. That being said, this gingerbread cake recipe might be my (and your) new favorite holiday dessert recipe!

7. Gingerbread Cookie Bars Recipe

When I first became obsessed with gingerbread, I started making all kinds of recipes including these cookie bars! When you want something a little more decadent than the typical cookie, make a batch of these to enjoy now or freeze for later.

They’re topped with cream cheese frosting for a richer and heavier flavor to compete with the gingerbread.

 

8. Gingerbread Biscotti

If you’re having a holiday-themed party during the day, you’ll want to make sure to include gingerbread biscotti. It’s perfect for dipping in coffee, tea, or even hot chocolate. You’ll find yourself making a cup just so you can have yourself a little treat!

For an added treat I dipped these in white chocolate and finish them offer with festive sprinkles included tiny little gingerbread people.

9. Gingerbread White Russian

Kahlua, vanilla vodka, cream, and a rich gingerbread syrup come together to create this festive Gingerbread White Russian. Garnished with a mini gingerbread man, this sweet and creamy cocktail will quickly become a new favorite. 

You may know I’m a big fan of White Russians.  I I have experimented with a few. In the past, including: Pumpkin Spice White Russian, Peppermint White Russian, Chai Spiced White Russian, Salted Caramel White Russian. I’m excited to be adding a Gingerbread White Russian to this tasty list! 

10. Gingerbread Cinnamon Roll Recipe

I had to give cinnamon roles the holiday treatment. These gingerbread cinnamon rolls are topped with spiced brown butter frosting which is both tasty and simple to whip up.

You can make them for Christmas morning as a special treat or any day you feel like celebrating the season. Personally, I’d love to make these any time of year!

 

11. Chocolate Dipped Gingerbread Cookies

Don’t worry chocolate lovers, I didn’t forget about you. These chocolate-dipped gingerbread cookies can be made with whatever kind of chocolate you like.

I made mine using acorn and squirrel cookie cutters during the fall, but you can use something more festive to make yours for Christmas! Just dip half the cookie in chocolate and adorn them with sprinkles and nuts.

 

12. Gingerbread House Gingerbread Cake Recipe

Making a gingerbread house is a tradition for many. If you’re making them from scratch, they can be a lot of work. And if you buy a kit, they aren’t nearly as tasty.

Let me introduce you to this gingerbread house cake! Using Nordicware Bundt pans, you can have your own gingerbread house without all the assembly. Make large ones or mini ones!

That’s a Wrap on Gingerbread Recipes!

From classic cookies turned into ornaments to baking favorites with a gingerbread twist, I hope you find a recipe on here to inspire your baking spirit this holiday season.

You really can’t go wrong with gingerbread! Let me know which recipe you give a try in the comments down below.

Want more holiday inspiration? Get it here!

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