These Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies are soft, chewy, and full of warm holiday spice-everything you love about gingerbread without the rock-hard texture. With cake mix, molasses, and powdered sugar crackle tops, they're a stress-free holiday cookie you'll want to make again and again.
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Growing up, I never really liked gingerbread cookies. Maybe they weren't sweet enough, or perhaps it was the molasses.
Truthfully, I think part of it was the fact that every gingerbread cookie I tried was super hard (like you could build a house out of it…. hmmm). These Gingerbread crinkle cookies are another story, though.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple: Uses a boxed yellow cake mix as the base for speed and ease.
- Soft & Chewy: Molasses and cake mix help create an exceptionally tender cookie.
- Festive Appearance: Powdered sugar "crinkles" give that classic holiday look.
- Reliable: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean you'll get consistent results.
Want more gingerbread recipes? Check out my Gingerbread Bundt Cake, Gingerbread Christmas Tree, Gingerbread Man Recipe, and this easy Gingerbread Trifle!
What This Recipe Needs
Yellow Cake Mix: Acts as the convenient base that ensures a light texture and simple prep.
Eggs & Melted Butter: Give structure and richness to the cookie dough.
Ground Ginger, Cloves & Cinnamon: Warm, classic gingerbread spices that bring holiday flavor.
Molasses: Adds depth, color, and that unmistakable gingerbread taste. (Have leftover Molasses? Make my Cranberry Molasses Smoked Spatchcock Turkey!)
Powdered Sugar: Used to roll the dough for the trademark crinkle effect and sweet exterior.
I love cake mix cookies! Check out these other easy cake mix cookie recipes: Lemon Cookies, Grinch Cookies, Carrot Cake Cookies, Red Velvet Cookies with Cake Mix, and Red Velvet Crinkle Cookies.
Substitutions
- Use a gluten-free yellow cake mix to accommodate dietary needs.
- Swap the butter for vegetable oil; this will yield a thinner cookie but will still be delicious.
- If you don't have molasses, use dark corn syrup, though the flavor will vary.
How to Make Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies:
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, butter, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and molasses.
- Step 2: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the powdered sugar and roll them around until completely coated. Then place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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- Step 3: Bake for 10-12 minutes
Expert Tips
- Chill the dough briefly if it seems too sticky - this helps with rolling and crinkle effect.
- Don't overbake - cookies should look set at edges but still soft in the middle for the best texture.
- Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a rack - this helps them finish cooking gently and keeps them tender.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature; add a slice of bread in the container to help them stay soft longer.
Variations
- Sprinkle colored sanding sugar (red/green) on top before baking for extra holiday flair.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over cooled cookies for a festive finish.
Check out my Christmas Wreath Cookies for another simple and delicious cookie recipe!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes - you can shape and refrigerate the dough for a few hours or overnight, then roll in powdered sugar and bake when ready.
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature; they stay fresh for about 5-7 days.
Yes - vanilla or spice cake mix could work, but the original yellow plus molasses gives the best gingerbread flavor.
Molasses gives the authentic gingerbread taste and color; skipping it will change the flavor markedly.
Possibly because the dough was too warm or you used vegetable oil instead of butter. Chill the dough slightly and ensure a good coating of powdered sugar, for better height and crackle.
No. The dough is too sticky. Try my gingerbread cookie recipe a soft cookie that you can cut shapes out of.
More Christmas Recipes
Looking for more delicious Christmas Recipes? Check out my Christmas Tree Cupcakes, Christmas Trifle, Holiday Popcorn, Candy Cane Cupcakes, Sugared Cranberries, and Snowmen Oreo Balls.
If you like this recipe, make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!
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Video
Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 box of yellow cake mix I like to use Duncan Hines
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup butter melted
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup molasses
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, butter, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and molasses.1 box of yellow cake mix, 2 eggs, ⅓ cup butter, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon ground cloves, ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ cup molasses
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the powdered sugar and roll them around until completely coated. The batter is really sticky, so this part gets a little messy.1 cup powdered sugar
- Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Let cool then enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store these cookies in a ziploc baggie after baking! Cookies will stay fresh for 5-7 days if stored properly.
- Make Ahead: You can shape and refrigerate the dough for a few hours or overnight, then roll in powdered sugar and bake when ready.
Luann Hash says
I am glad I tried these! They are very good and I will make them again, however I think I will add just a bit more of each spice. They weren't kidding when they said the dough was sticky! I decided to chill the dough for about 30 minutes which really helped. I still baked them for the recommended amount of time. Definitely easier to make then my usual molasses cookies. My husband says to keep the recipe! I am glad I found it.
Lisa says
Yay! So glad you guys enjoyed them!
Heather Kuscsik says
Have you ever used gingerbread box mix?? Wondering because I want to try it but I don’t want to use too much spices or molasses. Thank you
Lisa says
I haven't used gingerbread cake mix but if I did I would first make them without adding any extra spices or molasses. Then if the were too bland next time I'd add the extra ingredients in. I would think the gingerbread cake mix should work great on it's own. Do let me know how they turn out!
Haley says
Excited to make these!! Just wondering if dough can be made ahead of time at all or if you recommended baking right away?
Lisa says
Yay! You can make it the day before 🙂