30 Best Gingerbread Recipes That Are Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice
Treat your family to cookies, cakes, and even cocktails.
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It's the first waft of warm, spiced gingerbread that instantly makes your home smell like the holidays! Of course, you can also achieve the warmth of freshly baked gingerbread by simply making any one of these gingerbread recipes. You can be sure they're packed with classic spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and rich molasses—even cardamom, optionally. But these recipes go way beyond candy-filled gingerbread houses or your traditional Christmas desserts. You'll also find fun new ideas, like gingerbread cookie ice cream, gingerbread martinis, and gingerbread swirl fudge to name a few.
Looking for a Christmas breakfast idea that's filled with holiday flavor? Try the fluffy gingerbread pancakes or the gingerbread granola with sweet-dried cranberries. Of course, you can't talk about gingerbread recipes without mentioning a few variations on Christmas cookies. Here, you'll find Ree Drummond's favorite cut-out cookie that she describes as "just a good, basic, rich, flavorful gingerbread cookie recipe." There are also creative cookie ideas like slice-and-bake gingerbread cookies and gingerbread thumbprint cookies filled with dulce de leche. And don't even get us started on the gingerbread cowboy boots—they're almost too adorable to eat (key word here being, "almost.") 😂 Ahead, try all of our favorite gingerbread recipes including a traditional Christmas bread recipe—because sometimes, are we want for Christmas are the classics.
Gingerbread Martini
This vodka-based cocktail is shaken up with a homemade gingerbread syrup, half-and-half, and creme de cacao to give it a creamy, spiced gingerbread flavor. Don't forget to finish it off with whipped cream and gingerbread cookies!
Get the Gingerbread Martini recipe.
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
These sparkling stars are sure to stand out on your Christmas cookie plate. Each one is filled with a cinnamon-cream cheese frosting to make them all the more delightful.
Get the Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies recipe.
Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
Once you make this warm spiced syrup, you'll want to stir it into a morning cup of coffee, shake it up into a cocktail, or even drizzle it over a big stack of pancakes.
Get the Homemade Gingerbread Syrup recipe.
Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream
Not only is this homemade ice cream flavored like gingerbread, but there are actual gingerbread cookie chunks mixed right in. It would make the perfect Christmas-themed ice cream sundae.
Get the Gingerbread Cookie Ice Cream recipe.
Gingerbread Muffins
These gingerbread-spiced muffins will rival the kind you might find at a bakery. They even have a buttery streusel and vanilla glaze on top.
Get the Gingerbread Muffins recipe.
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
While Ree Drummond makes her classic cinnamon rolls every Christmas, this variation is just as tasty. And it's a fun way to switch things up! We love the coconut icing on top.
Get the Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls recipe.
Gingerbread Latte
When the weather outside is frightful, this gingerbread latte will warm you right up. It's just like the kind you might find at your favorite coffee shop, but more affordable and easy to make.
Get the Gingerbread Latte recipe.
Gingerbread Cake
This simple holiday cake includes all the warm spices you know and love: cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It also has rich molasses, but you can easily swap in sorghum syrup if you prefer.
Get the Gingerbread Cake recipe.
Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies
Gooey, sweet dulce de leche is the perfect filling for these spiced cookies. Try them as a fun alternative on your holiday cookie plate.
Get Ree's Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Cookies
You don't need to construct a whole house to make these cute Christmas cookies. Just use a house-shaped cookie cutter, frosting, and all your favorite candies.
Get Ree's Gingerbread Cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Slice-and-Bake Cookies
These easy cookies come together in just 30 minutes, but if you want to make them ahead, the dough will keep in the freezer for up to three months!
Get Ree's Gingerbread Slice-and-Bake Cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Layer Cake
The warm, spiced flavors of gingerbread get paired with a tangy cream cheese frosting in this impressive layer cake. It's sure to steal the show on your holiday dessert table.
Get the Gingerbread Layer Cake recipe.
Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies
It doesn't get cuter than these cowboy-inspired cookies! You can keep them plain or decorate with royal icing.
Get Ree's Gingerbread Cowboy Boot Cookies recipe.
Gingerbread Truffles
Once you combine store-bought gingersnap cookie crumbs and cream cheese into small balls, the only thing left to do is dip in melted white chocolate and decorate. It's so easy!
Gingerbread French Toast Bake
You can prep this seasonal French toast bake the night before so it's a great choice for Christmas morning brunch! The spiced gingerbread flavors will have plenty of time to soak into the fluffy slices of bread.
Get the Gingerbread French Toast Bake recipe at Sugar and Soul.
Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze
These cookies are slightly crisp around the edges but delightfully soft in the center. They're even better when dunked in a sweet maple glaze.
Get the Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze recipe at Pinch of Yum.
Gingerbread Scones
This scone is lighter on molasses flavor and heavy on ginger so it has that pop of spice that you know and love. It's perfect for a Christmas brunch.
Edible Gingerbread Cookie Dough
Remember eating cookie dough as a kid? Well, now you can do it without the worry! This recipe for edible gingerbread cookie dough is one that we could eat by the spoonful!
Get the Edible Gingerbread Cookie Dough recipe at Sugar and Soul.
Gingerbread Waffles
You'll love waking up to these warm gingerbread waffles on Christmas morning. The batter is simply whipped up in the blender so you can get back to opening presents!
Get the Gingerbread Waffles recipe at Orchids and Sweet Tea.
Iced Gingerbread Loaf
An old-fashioned gingerbread loaf is delicious no matter what time of day it is—serve it for Christmas brunch, dessert, or even an afternoon snack.
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