Copycat Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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These soft, chewy, perfectly spiced Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies (especially the frosted mini gingerbread people) have a way of bringing a little extra magic to chilly winter days.

How to make Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies

Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies are spiced, molasses-based cookies sold by Trader Joe’s, made to taste like classic gingerbread. They typically include ginger, cinnamon, and other warm spices, giving them a sweet, slightly spicy holiday flavor.

Ingredients

For the Gingerbread Cookies:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses (unsulphured is recommended for the best flavor)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk

Optional Toppings:

• White fudge or royal icing for decorating (mimicking Trader Joe’s frosted designs)
• Sprinkle of granulated or coarse sugar for a touch of texture

Optional Creamy Filling (to make sandwich cookies):

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 tbsp cream cheese (optional, for a hint of tanginess)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set this aside.
2. Using a stand mixer or handheld mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is creamy and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
3. Add in the egg, molasses, vanilla extract, and milk, mixing well to combine.
4. Gradually add in the dry ingredient mixture, a little at a time, until fully incorporated. Avoid overmixing—stop when no more streaks of flour remain.

2. Chill the Dough

1. Divide the dough in half. Flatten each half into a disc and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap.
2. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to make rolling and cutting easier.

3. Roll and Cut the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness (or slightly thicker for softer cookies).
3. Use your favorite gingerbread-shaped cookie cutters (like mini people or other holiday shapes), and transfer the shapes onto the lined baking sheets.

4. Bake the Cookies

1. Place cookies 1–2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
2. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid overbaking; they should still feel soft when you take them out.
3. Let the cookies cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Optional: Decorate with Frosting or Make Sandwich Cookies

White Fudge or Royal Icing:

Recreate Trader Joe’s famous frosted design with this simple icing:

1. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2–3 tsp milk or water until it reaches a thick, smooth consistency. If you’d like, add a drop of vanilla or almond extract for extra flavor.
2. Once your cookies are fully cooled, use a piping bag (or a zip-top bag with the corner snipped) to pipe on fun designs. Let the icing set before serving.

Sandwich Cookies:

1. To make the classic sandwich cookies, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream cheese (if using) until light and fluffy.
2. Spread a generous layer of filling onto the flat side of one cookie, then press another cookie on top to create a sandwich. If desired, roll the edges in crushed gingerbread crumbs or festive sprinkles for a little flair.

Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Cookies

• Chill the Dough Properly: Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to handle, preventing it from sticking or spreading too much during baking. Don’t skip this step!
• Use a Light Hand Rolling the Dough: Gingerbread dough is delicate, so work quickly and try not to over-roll. Flour the rolling pin lightly to prevent sticking, but don’t use too much or the dough may get tough.
• Adjust the Spices: If you love a spicier gingerbread flavor like the Trader Joe’s Mini Gingerbread People, you can increase the amount of ginger or add a dash of allspice.
• Room Temperature Butter: Don’t rush the cookie prep by using cold butter—it won’t cream properly with the sugar. Let your butter come to room temperature before mixing.
• Get Creative with Decorating: For extra festive vibes, try adding sprinkles, edible glitter, or even dipping the cookies halfway into melted white or dark chocolate.
• Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Unbaked dough can be frozen for up to 3 months—just let it thaw in the fridge before rolling.

What to serve with

Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies—or your homemade version—are the perfect embodiment of holiday cheer: warm spices, a tender bite, and that festive aroma of ginger and molasses. But why stop at just the cookie? Pairing these delicious treats with beverages, spreads, or even larger desserts can elevate the experience and bring even more joy to your festivities.

• Hot Chocolate: Serve your gingerbread cookies alongside a steaming mug of velvety hot chocolate or, better yet, peppermint hot cocoa. Top the cocoa with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate or crushed candy canes for extra holiday flare.
• Spiced Chai Latte: The fragrant spices of chai, like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger, are perfect companions for the flavors in your cookies. The milky sweetness of the latte softens the spices in the cookie beautifully.
• Coffee or Espresso-Based Drinks: Brew your favorite coffee and add a splash of seasonal creamer, like pumpkin spice or cinnamon vanilla. For a more indulgent pairing, try the cookies with a latte or cappuccino sprinkled with ground cinnamon on top.
• Hot Mulled Apple Cider: The combination of sweet apple cider with spices like cinnamon sticks and sliced oranges enhances the gingerbread’s flavors, creating a warming holiday treat.
• Milk Options: You can never go wrong with classic milk, or switch things up with a festive twist like warm eggnog, spiced almond milk, or oat milk.

Ingredients Substitutes

One of the best things about baking is its adaptability—you can easily switch out ingredients based on dietary preferences, allergies, or simply what you have in your pantry.

1. Flour Substitutes

Traditional gingerbread cookies call for all-purpose flour. However, depending on your dietary needs, you can make some creative changes:

For Gluten-Free Options:

• Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend (such as Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Baking Flour) for the easiest replacement. These blends are designed to mimic the texture and structure of regular flour, so your cookies taste just as good.
• Alternatively, a mix of almond flour (for moisture) and coconut flour (for structure) can work; however, these flours absorb more liquid, so you may need to reduce dry ingredients or increase wet ones slightly for balance.

To Add More Fiber or Flavor:

• Replace half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier, more wholesome flavor.
• For a richer, earthier texture, consider using spelt flour, which works well in spiced baked goods.

2. Molasses Alternatives

Molasses is the key ingredient that gives gingerbread cookies their distinct flavor, softness, and dark color—but it’s possible to substitute it if you don’t have any at hand or want an alternative.

• Honey: Substitute molasses with honey, but keep in mind it’s milder in flavor and less acidic. To maintain the cookies’ signature spiced taste, add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic molasses’ acidity.
• Maple Syrup: For a rich and natural sweetener, use pure maple syrup. This will give your cookies a slightly lighter caramel flavor instead of the deep richness of molasses.
• Brown Sugar Syrup: If molasses is unavailable, mix 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar with 1–2 tablespoons of water to create a sticky, molasses-like syrup.
• Date Syrup: A healthier natural sweetener, date syrup is sweet, sticky, and full of complex flavors. It’s an excellent swap for molasses in gingerbread recipes.

3. Butter Substitutes

Traditional recipes rely on unsalted butter for creaminess, but there are plenty of substitutes for vegans or those avoiding dairy:

• Vegan Butter: Use a vegan butter substitute like Miyoko’s or Earth Balance for an easy 1:1 swap in the recipe.
• Coconut Oil: Replace butter with solid coconut oil; this works particularly well in spiced cookies, as the subtle coconut flavor complements the gingerbread spices.
• Shortening: Use vegetable shortening for a neutral-flavored butter alternative that creates wonderfully chewy cookies (though they may lack a bit of buttery flavor).
• Applesauce: Substitute half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat option. However, be aware that this may slightly affect the texture, making the cookies softer and less rich.

4. Sugar Alternatives

Brown sugar is typically used in gingerbread cookies for sweetness and moisture. However, there are plenty of substitutes to suit your needs:

• Coconut Sugar: This natural sweetener makes an excellent replacement for brown sugar. It has a slight hint of caramel and offers a lower glycemic index.
• Maple Sugar: A slightly pricier option, maple sugar is a natural sweetener with rich, caramelized notes that work beautifully in spiced cookies.
• Granulated White Sugar + Molasses: If you don’t have brown sugar on hand, mix 1 cup white sugar with 1–2 tablespoons of molasses to create a homemade brown sugar substitute.
• Demerara or Turbinado Sugar: These raw cane sugars are a fantastic swap for brown sugar, though they may not pack as much moisture.

Final Thoughts

Trader Joe’s Gingerbread Cookies (or their homemade replicas) are already a holiday favorite, but pairing them with thoughtful accompaniments makes them even more special.

More Trader Joe’s Recipes:

• Copycat Trader Joe’s Cookie Dough Recipe