12 Gingerbread Recipes to Keep You Feeling Festive

Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Gingerbread is practically synonymous with December. Whether that means dusting off your gingerbread cookie recipe card or thumbing through gingerbread house kits on the shelves at the store, the appearance of gingerbread is a universal signal that Christmas is near. Is there any better way to spread a little holiday cheer than filling homes and cookie tins with the warm, fragrant scent of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon, and ginger? Brown sugar and molasses are essential as well. We've compiled a list of fun bakes from an easy gingerbread recipe for houses and people to grown-up treats like gingerbread biscotti and martinis. After all, who said we couldn't have it as a nightcap, too? Whatever way you choose to indulge in the classic Christmas flavor, make sure to spread the joy. We're certain Santa will appreciate a taste of these treats—including that Gingerbread Martini.

01 of 12

Gingerbread Biscotti

gingerbread biscotti
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Recipe: Gingerbread Biscotti

Anyone who's ever enjoyed this crisp Italian cookie knows how lovely it is dunked in hot coffee. Let your guests start their Christmas morning with our crunchy Gingerbread Biscotti. Trust us, you'll want to make extras.

02 of 12

Gingerbread Martini

gingerbread martini
Photographer: Frederick Hardy II, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Recipe: Gingerbread Martini

Nightcap, anyone? These elegant martinis are great as a pre-dinner holiday drink or with dessert. The only imperative is that they appear on your menu.

03 of 12

Chocolate Gingerbread Wreath Cookies

Chocolate Gingerbread Wreath Cookies
Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Wreath Cookies

Stuff these cookies into your Christmas tins and prepare for nothing but squeals of delight over how cute they are.

04 of 12

Chocolate-Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Chocolate-Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies
Joy Howard

Recipe: Chocolate-Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies

Why bring regular old sugar cookies to the cookie swap when you can bring spiced—and iced—gingerbread instead?

05 of 12

Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting

Gingerbread Brownies With Eggnog Frosting
The Home Edit

Recipe: Gingerbread Brownies with Eggnog Frosting

It's a holiday duo you can't turn down. Gingerbread spice meets creamy eggnog icing in a dessert that's sure to wow at Christmas Eve dinner.

06 of 12

Gingerbread Muffins

Gingerbread Muffins
Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Gingerbread Muffins

We'll be the first to admit that these definitely lean into the cupcake category. But, serve without icing and it's a passable breakfast treat. Save the frosting for later when you offer them as cupcakes in the afternoon.

07 of 12

Gingerbread Cake with Stout Buttercream

Gingerbread Cake With Stout Buttercream
William Dickey

Recipe: Gingerbread Cake with Stout Buttercream

Does the list of spices make you weary of trying gingerbread at home? Lucky you, this recipe starts with a box of gingerbread cake mix. All you need to do is bring the beer and frosting finishes.

08 of 12

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe

Brown Sugar-and-Ginger Whipped Cream
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe

Every home baker needs a solid, old-fashioned recipe for gingerbread in their arsenal. Here's our humble offering—and we think it's pretty great, if we do say so ourselves.

09 of 12

Gingerbread Cake Roll with Eggnog Cream

Gingerbread Roulade and Eggnog Cream
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Recipe: Gingerbread Cake Roll with Eggnog Cream

Fresh ginger, bourbon, and molasses make this dark and spicy gingerbread cake the ideal complement to the creamy eggnog filling. Go on, cut a second slice. And cut us one, too, while you're at it.

10 of 12

Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake

Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

Recipe: Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake

Ginger whipped cream, silky ganache, and toffee bits combine into a delightful and impressive multi-layer cake that won't last long, no matter how full everyone is. As they say, there's always room for dessert.

11 of 12

Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies

Silky Ganache
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies

Let it snow with these snowflakes. The edible ones are always the best and here, you have a choice between buttermilk frosting and royal icing. Take your pick.

12 of 12

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Classic Gingerbread Cookies image
Sheri Giblin; Food Styling: Margaret Dickey; Prop Styling: Amy Stone

Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies

If you're making your gingerbread house from scratch this year, here's the recipe that'll make it happen. If you plan on eating it, too, make sure you use bold molasses for extra flavor.

Was this page helpful?
Related Articles