Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (2024)

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Amish Ginger Cookies Take me Back to my Childhood (Amish Church Cookies)

Soft and chewy Amish gingersnap cookies are an amazing mixture of molasses, spices, and simple pantry ingredients.

There's so much delight in every bite, and they take me back to my childhood, toSunday church dinner. There was an older lady in church who would frequently make these and bring them for Sunday dinner.

Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (1)

And I was always happy to see them on the platter because they were one of my favorites. That's why I name them "Amish church cookies" because I associate them with Amish church dinners.

Old-fashioned Gingersnap Cookies

You may think of gingersnap cookies as being crispy, crunchy cookies with a snap to them. And if you like them like that, you can bake them longer to make them crispy.

But I prefer soft and chewy cookies. I don't mind a bit of a crispy edge, but I like the centers nice and soft.

And if you bake these molasses cookies for only about eight minutes, they should stay soft.

Sometimes my mom put a piece or two of bread into the container with the cookies to help keep them soft. But my cookies usually stay soft without any bread.

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Molasses

There are lots of different brands of molasses to choose from, and they vary in taste. Some brands have a stronger flavor, are more bitter, etc.

I prefer mild-tasting molasses. And I would not recommend using blackstrap molasses for baking.

Mild-flavored Brer rabbit molasses is good for cookies. Although I tend to use whatever I have on hand. And sometimes I add a bit of light syrup to produce a milder flavor.

King syrup is technically syrup and not molasses. But I like to use it for baking shoofly pies, molasses crinkle cookies, etc. Most times I use a combination of King Syrup and Golden Barrel baking molasses (one of my favorites) to create a beautifully light molasses flavor.

Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (2)

How to Make Amish Ginger Molasses Cookies

I use my kitchen aid mixer for everything, but you can use whatever mixer you have. (Most of the Amish obviously mix the batter with an old-fashioned hand beater until it's too stiff, and then they finish mixing by hand.)

To make these molasses ginger crinkle cookies, mix the oil and sugar in a bowl. Add eggs and molasses and mix well. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined, scraping sides and bottom to get it all incorporated.

Now you can use a cookie scoop or your hands to make balls.

I dipped some of mine into a bowl of sugar before baking, for extra sparkle. It makes them look neat. But, if you prefer, you can bake them without.

Place the dough balls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for about 8 minutes at 350 degrees.

Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (3)

Gingersnap Cookies with Fresh Ginger

I discovered that you can use raw ginger instead of ground ginger to make these Amish gingersnap cookies.

After I already had some ingredients mixed, I discovered that I was out of ground ginger.

So I googled it, to see if I could use raw ginger, and sure enough. You need to use more of it, but I zested ginger root into my batter, and you can't tell the difference.

Amish Ginger Snap Christmas Cookies

I love making these ginger cookies for Christmas as they are a wonderful and tasty addition to cookie platters.

But I like to create festive-looking Christmas cookies, so I dip my Amish gingersnap cookies halfway into melted white chocolate.

Not only does it make them look lovely, but it also adds great flavor.

After the cookies are cooled, melt some white chocolate. (I recommend using a small, deep dish since you want the chocolate deep enough to dip the cookies into.)

Dip half of each cookie into the white chocolate and put on some sprinkles, to create festive Christmas cookies.

Place the cookies onto parchment paper to dry.

Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (4)

Can I Freeze Gingersnap Cookies?

Yes, you can freeze these soft gingersnap cookies. I always freeze any cookies that we won't eat within about two or three days.

As soon as they are cool, place the cookies into an airtight container. Put a piece of parchment paper between the layers to keep them from sticking together.

And you can freeze them for up to several months. Thaw and enjoy your still-fresh-tasting gingersnap cookies.

More Amish Cookie Recipes

Amish Monster Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

Snowtop Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

Date Pinwheel Cookies Recipe

Sand Tart Cookies

Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies Recipe

If you get to try this recipe for Amish gingersnap cookies, I would love it if you left a comment and star rating below.

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Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies

These soft and chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies are an amazing blend of flour, sugar, molasses and spices. So delicious!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

baking in batches 16 minutes mins

Total Time 49 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine Amish

Servings 48 cookies

Calories 134 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c. oil I use canola oil, but you can use whatever you prefer for baking
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 1/2 c. light or Brer Rabbit molasses
  • 2 large eggs
  • 4 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. cloves
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3 1/2 - 4 c. flour

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°.

  • Mix sugar and oil in a mixing bowl. Add molasses and eggs, mix well.

    1/2 c. oil, 1/2 c. light or Brer Rabbit molasses, 2 large eggs, 2 c. sugar

  • Add remaining ingredients, and mix until everything is well incorporated. I tend to go with the lesser amount of flour because I don't like fat cookies.

    4 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. cloves, 1 tsp. ground ginger, 2 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. salt, 3 1/2 - 4 c. flour

  • Roll into balls and dip them into a bowl of sugar, if desired.

  • Place on greased cookie sheets and bake for about 7 - 9 minutes.

  • Cool on a wire rack.

  • Store in an airtight container and freeze any cookies that you won't eat within a couple of days.

Notes

If you want to create a festive Christmas cookie dip half of it into melted white chocolate and put on some sprinkles.

You can find the Brer Rabbit molasses on Amazon (link in the blog post) or at Walmart in the syrup section. I used about 1/3 c. of Brer Rabbit and filled the remaining 1/2 c. with Log Cabin All Natural Table Syrup, also purchased at Walmart. But feel free to use your favorite kind of molasses.

*Nutrition facts are approximate.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 134kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 157mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Amish church cookies, Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe, Soft and chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies

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Soft and Chewy Amish Gingersnap Cookies Recipe - Amish Heritage (2024)

FAQs

What nationality are ginger snaps? ›

These early ginger cookies originated in Europe and came with the German, Dutch, and English settlers to America. Gingersnaps were named from the German or Middle Dutch word snappen, meaning "to seize quickly."

What's the difference between gingersnaps and ginger cookies? ›

Ginger Snaps are simply a variation of the traditional Gingerbread cookie. They're known for their crisper quality; their “snap” if you will. Introduced in colonial times, the main differences between Gingerbread and Ginger Snaps are a longer bake time for an extra crisp and the use of molasses versus sugar.

What ingredient makes a cookie soft? ›

Cornstarch gives the cookies that ultra soft consistency we all love. Plus, it helps keep the cookies beautifully thick. We use the same trick when making shortbread cookies. Egg yolk: Another way to promise a super chewy chocolate chip cookie is to use an extra egg yolk.

Who made the original Ginger Snaps? ›

Gingersnaps have been enjoyed for centuries. In fact, the early versions of these spiced cookies were likely invented by medieval monks in Germany as early as the 13th century. The recipes were passed down through the generations and found their way to America with the early colonists.

What is the history of ginger cookies? ›

It may have been brought to Western Europe from the eastern Mediterranean in the 11th century. Since the 13th century, Toruń gingerbread was made in Toruń, then State of the Teutonic Order (now Poland). It gained fame in the realm and abroad when it was brought to Sweden by German immigrants.

How do you make cookies soft and chewy again? ›

Another way to soften cookies is by placing the cookies in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. The paper towel will release moisture and help to soften the cookies without making them too soft or mushy. Another way is to place the cookies in a plastic bag with a slice of apple or a damp tea towel.

How do chewy cookies stay soft? ›

Putting a slice of fresh white bread in the container with the cookies will help the cookies stay soft: fresh bread is moist, and that slice will give up its moisture for the greater good: keeping the cookies from drying out. We recommend white bread so that no flavor is transferred to the cookies.

Why are my ginger snaps soft? ›

Bake for longer.

This is a pretty simple one, but to get that lovely crunchy gingersnap cookie, I increased the bake time slightly. If you want them even more crunchy, bake them for a little longer!

Are speculoos and gingersnaps the same? ›

Speculoos (or sometimes spelled speculaas) is a Belgian cookie. Imagine a gingersnap on steroids. Bolder and much more aggressive than typical gingersnaps, Speculoos cookies are brimming with dark brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, white pepper, ginger, and cardamom.

Why is ginger snaps so good? ›

Because it has some excellent suspense sequences and a rather high amount of blood and gore. The werewolf is really cool looking,the acting by two lead girls(Emily Perkins,Katharine Isabelle)is excellent and the direction is well-handled. "Ginger Snaps" is a pure horror film,that is to be taken seriously.

What are ginger snaps called in England? ›

Ginger Nut Biscuits and Ginger Snap Cookies, Ginger Snap Biscuits and Ginger Snaps are all exactly the same things. New Zealand and Australia call them Ginger Nut Biscuits, America calls them Ginger Snap Cookies and Britain calls them GInger Snap biscuits (but also Ginger Nuts too!!).

Why is my cookies soft but not chewy? ›

Remember moisture is the key! White sugar creates crispier cookies and brown sugar creates chewier cookies. Why use melted butter? Melted butter creates cookies with a different texture compared to cookies made with softened or creamed butter.

How do bakeries keep their cookies soft? ›

Light corn syrup is sometimes used in specialist cakes and confectioneries to help keep baked products soft and doughy for longer. Use just a tablespoon for a regular batch of tasty cookies.

What factors cause a cookie to be crisp soft and chewy? ›

The ingredients you use and how you shape your cookies both play an important role in whether your cookies turn out crispy or chewy. The type of flour and sugar you use, if your cookie dough contains eggs, and whether you use melted or softened butter all factor into the crispy-chewy equation, too.

Is Ginger Snaps a Filipino brand? ›

We've been providing quality apparel for children for over 25 years and our brilliant team has been crafting trendy, global and fashion-forward design season after season. Each garment has its own unique touch and uses premium fabrics that are proudly made in the Philippines.

What are Ginger Snaps called in England? ›

Ginger Nut Biscuits and Ginger Snap Cookies, Ginger Snap Biscuits and Ginger Snaps are all exactly the same things. New Zealand and Australia call them Ginger Nut Biscuits, America calls them Ginger Snap Cookies and Britain calls them GInger Snap biscuits (but also Ginger Nuts too!!).

What nationality is ginger hair? ›

Red hair is relatively common in England, Iceland and Norway, too, while Germany, Sweden, Finland, The Netherlands and northern France are all ahead of the global average. Travel south through Europe and red hair becomes very rare. Just 0.57 per cent of Italians have it, for example, according to one study.

Are Ginger Snaps English? ›

Ginger snaps are cookies with roots in Europe; they came to America when German, Dutch, and English settlers arrived.

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