Gingerbread Smash Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
If there’s one flavor that instantly makes it feel like Christmas, it’s gingerbread! Between the warm spices, molasses, and that cozy holiday aroma, gingerbread is one of my favorite things to bake this time of year.
These Gingerbread Smash Cookies are such a fun twist on a classic Christmas cookie. They’re soft, thick, and cake-like, with all those delicious gingerbread spices, topped with a generous swirl of cream cheese frosting and finished with sparkling sugared cranberries.
I love how the sweet, tangy cream cheese frosting balances the warm gingerbread flavor, while the sugared cranberries make each cookie look extra festive. They’re almost too pretty to eat!
Whether you’re baking for a Christmas party, putting together holiday cookie boxes, or looking for something different to bring to a cookie exchange, these gingerbread cookies are sure to be a favorite.
Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Smash Cookies
There are so many reasons to add these cookies to your Christmas baking list!
What Are Gingerbread Smash Cookies?
Gingerbread Smash Cookies are thick, soft gingerbread cookies with a slightly rustic, flattened shape and a generous layer of frosting.
Unlike traditional gingerbread cutout cookies, these cookies have a tender, cake-like texture. They’re packed with warm spices and molasses, giving them that familiar gingerbread flavor without the crisp texture of a gingerbread man cookie.
Each cookie is finished with a swirl of cream cheese frosting and a few sugared cranberries for a beautiful Christmas touch.
They’re a little like a gingerbread cake and a frosted bakery-style cookie all in one!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These Christmas cookies have three delicious components: the gingerbread cookie base, cream cheese frosting, and sugared cranberries.
Gingerbread Cookie Base
The gingerbread cookies get their flavor from a combination of molasses and warm holiday spices.
Cream Cheese Frosting
A thick layer of cream cheese frosting is the perfect finishing touch for these gingerbread cookies.
Made with cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla, it’s smooth, creamy, and just sweet enough to complement the spiced cookies.
Sugared Cranberries
The sugared cranberries are what make these cookies extra special!
They add a beautiful pop of red and a sparkling, snow-covered finish that’s perfect for Christmas.
You can make your own sugared cranberries ahead of time and add them to the cookies just before serving.
shop the ingredients:
How to Make Gingerbread Smash Cookies
Step 1: Make the Gingerbread Cookie Dough
In your mixer, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
Step 2: Scoop and Shape the Cookies
Scoop generous portions of dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving plenty of room between each cookie.
Gently flatten the tops with a measuring cup to create that signature smash cookie shape.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
Bake until the cookies are puffed, the edges are set, and the centers are cooked through but still soft.
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack.
Let them cool completely before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
Beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth.
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla extract.
Continue beating until the frosting is creamy and fluffy.
Step 5: Frost the Gingerbread Cookies
Once the cookies have cooled, spread a generous amount of cream cheese frosting over the top of each cookie.
I love using a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create a pretty swirl in the frosting.
Step 6: Garnish with Sugared Cranberries
Finish each cookie with a few sparkling sugared cranberries.
For an extra festive touch, add a very light dusting of cinnamon or gingerbread spice over the frosting.
Tips for Making the Best Gingerbread Smash Cookies
Don’t overbake the cookies. The goal is a soft, tender, cake-like center rather than a crisp gingerbread cookie.
Use molasses for classic gingerbread flavor. Molasses gives these cookies their warm, rich flavor and beautiful color.
Let the cookies cool completely. Cream cheese frosting will soften and melt if the cookies are still warm.
Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter. This helps create a smooth frosting without lumps.
Frost generously. These cookies are meant to have a thick layer of cream cheese frosting!
Add the cranberries before serving. This keeps the sugared coating looking fresh and sparkly.
How to Make Sugared Cranberries
Sugared cranberries are such a simple way to dress up holiday desserts, and they look beautiful on these cookies!
You’ll need fresh cranberries, granulated sugar, and water.
- Combine equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly.
- Add the fresh cranberries and gently stir to coat.
- Transfer the cranberries to a wire rack and allow them to become tacky, approximately 45–60 minutes.
- Roll the cranberries in granulated sugar until completely coated.
- Allow them to dry before using them to decorate the cookies.
The finished cranberries look like little sparkling Christmas ornaments!
Gingerbread Smash Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting
Pin Recipe Print RecipeIngredients
Gingerbread Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces full-fat cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Sugared Cranberries:
- 1 cup fresh cranberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup additional granulated sugar for coating
Instructions
Make the Gingerbread Cookies:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the molasses, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
- Cover and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop approximately 1/4 cup of dough per cookie onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Gently flatten each mound into a thick disc.
- Bake for approximately 12–15 minutes, or until the edges are set and the centers are cooked through but still soft.
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
- Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Beat for 1–2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
Make the Sugared Cranberries:
- Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves.
- Remove from the heat and allow the syrup to cool slightly.
- Add the cranberries and stir gently to coat.
- Remove the cranberries with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack. Let them dry until tacky, approximately 45–60 minutes.
- Roll the cranberries in the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and allow them to dry.
Notes
my favorite baking supplies:
More Christmas Cookies You’ll Love
If you’re looking for more festive cookie recipes, here are a few favorites to add to your holiday baking list!
These Gingerbread Smash Cookies are everything I love about Christmas baking! They’re soft, warmly spiced, topped with creamy frosting, and finished with the prettiest sugared cranberries.
I love making desserts that taste just as good as they look, and these cookies are such a fun way to add something special to a Christmas cookie platter.
If you make these for your holiday celebrations, I’d love to see how they turn out!
Happy baking!
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