Short Description
Gingerbread Cookie Bites are soft, spiced, and bite-sized treats perfect for the holiday season. Packed with warm ginger, cinnamon, and molasses flavors, these cookies are great for snacking, gifting, or adding to a festive dessert platter.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic gingerbread flavor in a fun, bite-sized form
- Perfect for holiday parties and cookie exchanges
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Can be decorated or left plain
- Great for gifting in holiday treat boxes
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Egg
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Salt
- Powdered sugar (for optional coating)
Directions
- Prepare the Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the molasses and egg until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
- Shape the Cookies: Roll the dough into small bite-sized balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill: Refrigerate the dough balls for at least 30 minutes for better texture.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes until firm but still soft.
- Coat in Sugar (Optional): Roll warm cookies in powdered sugar for a festive finish.
- Cool & Serve: Let the cookies cool completely before serving or storing.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cookie bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Chill Time: 30 minutes
- Bake Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour
Variations
- Chocolate Gingerbread: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a sweet contrast.
- Nutty Crunch: Mix in finely chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Spiced Up: Increase cinnamon and cloves for a stronger spice kick.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
- Iced Bites: Drizzle with a simple powdered sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Refrigeration: Store in the fridge for up to a week.
- Freezing: Freeze baked cookie bites for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
FAQs
Can I use blackstrap molasses?
Regular molasses is recommended for a balanced flavor, but blackstrap can be used for a deeper taste.
How do I prevent cookies from spreading too much?
Chilling the dough before baking helps them hold their shape.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! The dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before baking.
What if I don’t have ground cloves?
You can substitute with additional cinnamon or nutmeg.
Can I roll these in granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar?
Yes! Granulated sugar will give a slightly crunchy exterior.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No, a hand mixer or even mixing by hand works fine.
Can I decorate these cookies?
Absolutely! You can drizzle icing or dip them in melted white chocolate.
Are these cookies crunchy or soft?
They are soft and chewy, with a slightly firm exterior.
How do I store them for gifting?
Place in decorative tins or treat bags with parchment paper to keep them fresh.
Can I make a larger batch?
Yes! Simply double the ingredients and bake in batches.
Conclusion
Gingerbread Cookie Bites are a delightful, spiced treat perfect for the holiday season. Whether you enjoy them plain, dusted with powdered sugar, or drizzled with icing, these bite-sized cookies are sure to be a festive favorite!
PrintGingerbread Cookie Bites
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: About 36 cookie bites 1x
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Holiday Treats
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Gingerbread Cookie Bites are soft, spiced, bite-sized treats perfect for the holiday season. With warm ginger, cinnamon, and molasses flavors, these mini cookies are great for snacking, gifting, or adding to dessert platters.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
- Make the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms.
- Form cookie bites: Roll dough into ½-inch balls. Roll each ball in granulated sugar and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
- Cool and serve: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Notes
- For extra spice, add a pinch of black pepper.
- Drizzle with white chocolate or royal icing for decoration.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Nutrition
- Calories: ~60
- Sugar: ~5g
- Sodium: ~40mg
- Fat: ~2.5g
- Saturated Fat: ~1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~9g
- Fiber: ~0.3g
- Protein: ~0.6g
- Cholesterol: ~10mg
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