Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies: Guaranteed Cracks!

Is there anything more disappointing than crinkle cookies that don’t crinkle? You’re dreaming of those beautiful, snowy fissures, and instead, you get…flat, ordinary cookies. I’ve been there! But fear not, because this recipe for Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies guarantees those delightful cracks every single time. Plus, the combination of bright orange and warm ginger is simply irresistible. Get ready to bake up a batch of these festive and flavorful cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat.

Why You’ll Love These Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies

These aren’t just any crinkle cookies. Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:

• Perfect Crinkles, Guaranteed: The secret’s in the chilling! This step is non-negotiable.
• Chewy Texture: These cookies are delightfully soft and chewy in the center, with slightly crisp edges.
• Bright and Festive Flavors: The combination of orange, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves creates a warm, comforting, and slightly citrusy flavor profile that’s perfect for any time of year.
• Easy to Make: Despite their impressive appearance, these cookies are surprisingly simple to bake.
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookies are a crowd-pleaser and make a wonderful gift for friends and family.

Gathering Your Ingredients for Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies

Let’s gather everything we need to make these delicious crinkle cookies. The beauty of this recipe lies in the harmonious blend of warm spices, bright citrus, and the perfect balance of sugars. We’ll start with the base, build up the flavor, and finish with that signature crinkle coating.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened: Using softened butter is crucial for creaming together with the sugars, creating a light and airy base for our cookies. Make sure it’s room temperature, but not melted!
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Granulated sugar adds sweetness and contributes to the crisp edges of the cookies.
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar: We use brown sugar here because its molasses content adds moisture and a deeper, richer flavor compared to white sugar. Make sure to pack it tightly when measuring!
• 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses: Molasses brings a unique depth and warmth to the cookies. Unsulphured molasses has a cleaner, less bitter flavor than sulphured molasses, so it’s the preferred choice for baking.
• 1 large egg: The egg binds the ingredients together and adds moisture, contributing to the chewy texture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances all the other flavors and adds a touch of sweetness.
• 1 tablespoon orange zest: Fresh orange zest provides a bright, citrusy aroma and flavor that complements the warm spices perfectly. Be sure to only zest the outer layer of the orange, avoiding the bitter white pith.
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice: Orange juice adds moisture and amplifies the orange flavor. Freshly squeezed is always best!
• 2 cups all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the cookies. Be sure to measure it accurately, using the spoon and level method to avoid adding too much flour, which can result in dry cookies.
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger: Ground ginger provides a warm, spicy kick that’s essential for these cookies.
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Cinnamon adds a touch of sweetness and warmth, complementing the ginger and cloves.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves: Cloves provide a deep, rich, and slightly pungent flavor that adds complexity to the spice blend.
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda: Baking soda helps the cookies rise and spread, creating a light and airy texture.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt: Salt enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• 1 cup powdered sugar, for rolling: Powdered sugar is what creates those beautiful cracks as the cookies bake. Make sure to generously coat each cookie ball before baking!

Crafting Your Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies: Step-by-Step

Ready to get baking? Don’t be intimidated! This recipe is straightforward, and that crucial chilling step is the key to unlocking those perfect crinkles. Follow these steps, and you’ll be rewarded with a batch of irresistible cookies.

1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. This step is important because it incorporates air into the dough, which helps create a tender cookie. Use an electric mixer for best results, and mix for at least 3-5 minutes until the mixture is noticeably lighter in color and texture.
2. Add the Wet Ingredients: Next, beat in the molasses, egg, vanilla extract, orange zest, and orange juice until well combined. The molasses adds a distinct flavor and chewiness to the cookies, while the orange zest and juice provide a bright, citrusy note. Make sure everything is fully incorporated for a smooth batter.
3. Whisk the Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the spices and baking soda are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which is important for consistent flavor and texture.
4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix! Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can result in tough cookies. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
5. Chill the Dough (The Secret Step!): Cover the dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. This firming step is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking and for creating those signature crinkles. The longer the dough chills, the better the results.
6. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
7. Prepare the Powdered Sugar: Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl. This will be used for coating the cookies before baking.
8. Shape the Cookies: Take the chilled dough from the refrigerator. Scoop or roll the dough into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter. A cookie scoop makes this process easier and ensures that all the cookies are the same size.
9. Coat in Powdered Sugar (Generously!): Roll each dough ball generously in the powdered sugar, ensuring it is completely coated. For best crinkles, you can even give them a second roll in the sugar just before placing them on the baking sheet. The thick coating of powdered sugar is what creates the dramatic cracks as the cookies bake.
10. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated dough balls about 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. This allows the cookies to spread slightly during baking without sticking together.
11. Bake to Perfection: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. They will flatten and crack as they bake. Don’t overbake the cookies, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.
12. Cool and Enjoy: Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from breaking.

Tips for Perfect Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies Every Time

Want to ensure your Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies are a smashing success? Here are a few extra tips and tricks:

• Don’t Skip the Chill Time: Seriously, don’t! It’s tempting to rush the process, but chilling the dough is essential for preventing the cookies from spreading too thin and for creating those signature crinkles.
• Measure Accurately: Baking is a science, so accurate measurements are key. Use measuring cups and spoons, and be sure to level off dry ingredients.
• Use Fresh Spices: Spices lose their potency over time, so use fresh spices for the best flavor.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and crumbly. Bake them until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft.
• Powdered Sugar Coating: Don’t be shy with the powdered sugar! A generous coating is essential for those beautiful cracks. If you want even more dramatic cracks, give the cookies a second roll in the powdered sugar just before baking.
• Storage: Store the cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

What to Serve With Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies

These cookies are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of beverages and desserts. Consider serving them with a cup of hot tea or coffee. They’re also a delightful addition to a dessert platter alongside other treats. For a truly decadent experience, try crumbling them over vanilla ice cream. You might even consider baking a batch of our easy caramel nut dessert jars and topping them with crushed crinkle cookies!

Your Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies Questions Answered (FAQ)

Why didn’t my crinkle cookies crack?

The most common reason for crinkle cookies not cracking is that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough. The chilling process allows the dough to firm up, which is essential for creating those signature cracks. Other possible reasons include not using enough powdered sugar or overbaking the cookies. It is also possible you used old baking soda that did not activate.

Can I use a different type of flour?

While all-purpose flour is the preferred choice for this recipe, you can experiment with other types of flour. For a slightly nuttier flavor, you could try using whole wheat flour, but keep in mind that it may result in a slightly denser cookie. If you are looking for a gluten-free option, consider using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Note that you may need to adjust the amount of liquid in the recipe to achieve the desired consistency. For more information, you can check out other recipes we have, like this savory sausage and bread bake to see how different flours react.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can definitely make the dough ahead of time! In fact, chilling the dough overnight is recommended for the best results. The dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.

Can I add chocolate chips to the dough?

While this recipe is specifically for orange ginger crinkle cookies, you can certainly add chocolate chips to the dough if you like! Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips would be a delicious addition, complementing the warm spices and bright citrus flavors. Fold in about 1/2 cup of chocolate chips after adding the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.

My cookies spread too thin. What did I do wrong?

If your cookies spread too thin, it’s likely that the dough wasn’t chilled long enough or that the butter was too soft. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight. Also, ensure that your butter is softened but not melted. If your kitchen is warm, you may want to chill the dough for a longer period of time.

Enjoy Your Homemade Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies!

There you have it – a recipe for Chewy Orange Ginger Crinkle Cookies that are guaranteed to impress! The combination of warm spices, bright citrus, and that perfect chewy texture makes these cookies a truly special treat. Now, go ahead and bake up a batch and share them with your loved ones (or keep them all for yourself – we won’t judge!). Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know how your cookies turned out. And if you loved this recipe, be sure to share it with your friends on social media!