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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
Gingersnaps are crispy, crunchy, warming treats that can be made even more delightful when you use a cookie press to make them into adorable shapes! Even if they’re a little fiddly, the holidays are a special time, so why not go the extra mile to make something a little extra special?
Kick off this holiday season with cookie Press Gingersnap Cookies! While some might think that cookie presses have gone the way of the Jell-O salad, I think they’re a fun tool that can add a little extra pizazz to holiday baking!
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: This recipe is easy to make even if you don’t have a cookie press! It’s a fantastic bake for a busy time of the year.
- Total Time: You can have these cookies ready and baked in about 20 minutes!
- Variations: No cookie press? No problem! You can roll this dough into balls and flatten them with a fork to make a cute design. For a fun twist on a classic, you could turn these adorable cookies into sandwiches with a luscious filling of The Best Buttercream Frosting Ever, or double up on the holiday fun with some Peppermint Buttercream Frosting!
- Tools For This Recipe: To make this recipe, you will need mixing bowls, an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, a silicone spatula, baking sheets, and cooling racks. A cookie press is optional for making fancy shapes, but you can always simply roll your dough into balls and flatten them with a fork for a more rustic look! If you want to make sure that your cookies are all portioned perfectly, consider investing in a cookie scoop!
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Butter: Some old recipes for gingersnaps call for shortening (or a mix of shortening and butter), but I think that using all butter makes cookies taste infinitely better.
Molasses: Molasses gives these gingersnaps cookies a rich and robust flavor that you can’t get from using brown sugar alone. The deep caramel notes of molasses pair perfectly with the warm spices and add moisture that you need to make getting the dough out of the aperture of a cookie press a little easier. Karlynn’s Tip: If you’re unsure of what kind of molasses to reach for in the store, reach for containers labelled “fancy” or “regular” molasses. Dark molasses can also be used in baking, and is most commonly used in gingerbread recipes. Avoid “Blackstrap” Molasses in baking, as it’s best used for savory recipes like baked beans and pulled pork.
Spices: Cinnamon, ginger, and cloves give these gingersnap cookies their classic warming flavor. For the very best results, make sure to use fresh spices, and to store your spices in a cool, dark place so that they can stay flavorful for as long as possible!
Sprinkles or Colored Sugar: Add a little sprinkling of color right before baking for an extra splash of holiday cheer! My favorite is a mix of red and green!
How To Make Cookie Press Gingersnap Cookies
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 375 °F. Cream the butter and sugar together until combined, but don’t over mix. Add the molasses and egg and mix together completely.
- In a separate bowl mix all of the dry ingredients together with a whisk. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in stages, combining well with a spatula, until a dough forms.
- Roll into balls, flatten with a fork and sprinkle with sugar or use a cookie press to extrude the dough onto an un-greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes until the edges are crisp and cooked. Promptly remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cookie Press Gingersnap Cookies
- Temp Talk: These gingersnaps are just like your average cookie cutter ones in that they’ll burn on the edges if baked for too long! Start checking in around the 8 minute mark to make sure that the cookies are well baked, but not scorched!
- Pressed For Success: If you’ve never used a cookie press before, it can be a bit of a hassle to get shapes out right the first time! A good trick is to make sure that your cookie dough is fridge cold and to avoid using baking paper or any grease on your baking trays. Non-stick surfaces help the dough stick down and come out of the press cleanly! Since you’ll probably have to fill your cookie press in batches, make sure to keep extra cookie dough in the fridge to make sure it stays as cold as possible; cold dough holds shapes best. However, every cookie press is slightly different, so you may need to experiment some to figure out the best process for yours!
- Gizmo Gab: I lucked out in that I was able to thrift a gorgeous 1960’s cookie press, complete in the box with its original instruction booklet, but I realize that not everyone is that lucky! If you don’t have a family member who’s likely to have bought (and kept!) such a beautiful blast from the past in all of its vintage glory, there are modern-day alternatives that work just as well and can be bought online!
Storage Instructions
Allow your gingersnaps to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 7 days!
Freezer: After letting baked cookies cool completely, you can keep them in a well sealed, airtight container for up to 3 months. You can also freeze the unbaked dough, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in a freezer-safe zip top bag, for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to make it into cookies, allow it to defrost overnight in the fridge before shaping as you like.
More Delicious Christmas Cookie Recipes
- Look no further than my Christmas Candy Cane Cookies for a fun bake to do with your kids!
- My Chocolate Turtle Bark is an excellent, easy to customize treat that your friends and family will love!
- There’s no beating the classics! Whether you call them Mexican Wedding cookies or Pecan Sandies, they’re still buttery perfection!
- Looking for another recipe to use in your cookie press? Why not give my delicious Whipped Shortbread recipe a try? After all, calories don’t count during the holidays!
Cookie press cookies remind me of my childhood. Every time I see someone has used them to make cookies, it brings a smile to my face! There are so many decorative plates available that you can make them in all kinds of shapes, and even if the process can be a little fussy, a plateful of cuteness really adds to the holiday cheer!
Give this recipe a try and let me know about your cookie press adventures in the comments below!
Happy Baking!
Karlynn
Cookie Press Gingersnap Cookies
Ingredients
- ¾ cup butter
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- sugar or coloured sprinkles to sprinkle on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F
- Cream butter and sugar until combined but don't over mix them, you don't want it really light and fluffy.
- Add in the molasses and egg and mix in completely.
- In a separate bowl mix together all of the dry ingredients with a whisk.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until you have a well-incorporated dough. Roll into balls, flatten with a fork and sprinkle with sugar or use a cookie press on an un-greased cookie sheet.
- Bake for 8-9 minutes.
- Promptly remove from cookie sheet and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Sophie Nakoneczny says
Rosemarie Polich maybe you can make these with Mum’s cookie press?
RosemaryB says
I made those tonight – they are delicious. I was a bit worried b/c they have no baking powder or baking soda but no problem. My cookie press makes smaller ones than yours, but I certainly got a lit of cookies!
RosemaryB says
I love my cookie press. A few years back I “thrifted” myself a Wilton ratchet cookie press, with recipe book. One click = one cookie. Great, tiny little cookies. No rolling and cutting out dough. But my cookies for gifting are all too white, so these will add a necessary hit of colour, thanks.
Pam Mansveld says
Gotta get another gizmo!
Nana Bear says
Thanks for the memory of the cookie press, my mom had that exact one!
Donna Reed Montibello says
I use mine every year.
Patsy Druimeanach says
Yaaaaassss! I have that exact cookie press! Making these tomorrow. 🙂
Nicole Jubleew says
My mom gave me one for Christmas last year 🙂
Penny Jones says
My mom & grandma used their presses every year to make Christmas cookies…usually just made the trees in green & white…made the drizzle with powdered sugar & milk for them then put sprinkles on top…my daughter & I are going to use our press soon…might have to try these, they look yummy 🙂
Shelley Samoleski says
Had one..sure wish I would have kept it!
Cassandra Navratil says
My cookie press is my fave for Christmas cookies! I’ll be trying this recipe out for sure 🙂 My kids get tired of eating spritz! \U0001f602
Carleen Higginbotham Meyer says
I have that exact press, it belonged to my grandma. 🙂
Chelan Citrigno says
Then I guess you better make those cookies \U0001f609 They look yummy!!
Carleen Higginbotham Meyer says
Chelan Citrigno her recipes are yummy, I plan to make these for sure!!
Chelan Citrigno says
Carleen Higginbotham Meyer Yay!!!
Lois Bumstead says
My cookies press looks like the one in the picture…
Denise Langevin says
Where can i get one of these??????
The Kitchen Magpie says
There are new ones in the stores!
Denise Langevin says
Wow so cool
Shauna Hill says
Funny, I pulled out my grandma’s today
The Kitchen Magpie says
Ooooh that’s a good one!!!
Shauna Hill says
I love the graphics and colors on the box
Heather Pollock says
I’ve never used a cookie press. My mom had one like yours & I let it go when she moved into her apartment and stopped baking
Kristin Kohl says
Mom has the exact same one! Mine is more modern (80s). I use it every Christmas.
Lori Brash Jansen says
I just made ginger snaps this morning!
Megan Walker says
I have an electric cookie press. Nothing gets your husband willing to help with baking like a kitchen tool with a motor. We have a lot of fun making cookies together. Look forward to trying this recipe.
The Kitchen Magpie says
Hahah I bet! That sounds like a cool gadget!
Alana Meisner says
My Pampered Chef Cookie Press sales have been going crazy lately!! They are for sure making a comeback!!!
Denise Langevin says
How can i buy one!
Sarah Hodge says
I love making spritz cookies!
Renata Vlaho says
I’ll be using mine in the next few weeks. I’ve had it since I was around 12. It’s pretty old \U0001f629\U0001f629
The Kitchen Magpie says
The one I thrifted is older, cheer up! 😉
Renata Vlaho says
I’ll be using mine in the next few weeks. I’ve had it since I was around 12. It’s pretty old
Bill Betty Fabritius says
Kay would be thrilled with this comment.
Maja Neven- Laschinsky says
Mom still makes press cookie every year for Christmas
Katy Byrne says
I just was given my grandmothers press (still in original box, it’s so awesome) and was thinking about recipes for dough! Will try this one
The Kitchen Magpie says
Oooh I love the older presses!!!
Kandice Martinez says
I live my cookie press! I actually have 2.
The Kitchen Magpie says
One for each girl, that would work. Get them slaving away 😉
Lisa Henderson says
My cookie press comes out every Christmas!
The Kitchen Magpie says
It’s not the holidays in my house without cookie press cookies, that’s for sure!
Mary P Hoffman says
I’ve never seen gingersnaps from a cookie press. Great idea!
The Kitchen Magpie says
Worth the extra effort for the holidays, I’d say. They look SO cute!!!!