Cozy Gingerbear Thumbprint Cookies Recipe: Sweet Holiday Magic

Soft and chewy gingerbear thumbprint cookies bring a whimsical twist to traditional holiday baking.

Sweet memories dance through kitchen spaces when these delightful treats emerge from warm ovens.

Warm spices like cinnamon and ginger create a cozy atmosphere that feels like a gentle hug.

Crafted with simple ingredients, these cookies promise to delight both young and seasoned bakers.

Little hands can help press thumbprints into soft dough, making baking a playful family experience.

Rich molasses and brown sugar give deep, complex flavors that complement the smooth jam center.

Prepare to experience a magical blend of comfort and creativity in every delectable bite.

Why These Gingerbear Cookies Are the Cutest Treats

• Craft Adorable Bear-Shaped Treats: Create cute, playful cookies that look like little bear faces with charming details and fun decorations.
• Master Simple Baking Skills: Beginner bakers can easily follow the step-by-step instructions to produce impressive, professional-looking holiday cookies.
• Perfect for Festive Gatherings: Delightful treat that brings joy to family celebrations, cookie exchanges, and seasonal parties with its warm spices and adorable design.
• Customize with Seasonal Flair: Experiment with different chocolate colors and decorations to match various holiday themes or personal preferences.

Sweet Ingredients That Give These Bears Their Charm

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds softness and flavor to the cookies.
• Brown Sugar, White Sugar: Sweet ingredients that provide moisture and caramelization.
• Molasses: A dark syrup that adds deep, warm flavor and helps bind the ingredients.
• Egg: Helps bind the ingredients and provides structure to the cookies.
• Vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the cookies.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structural component that gives the cookies their shape.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, Allspice: Warm spices that create a rich, complex flavor.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cookies rise and become light.
• Salt: Balances and enhances the sweet flavors in the cookies.

• White Chocolate, Cream: Creates a smooth, creamy filling for the thumbprint center.
• Black Candy Melts: Used to pipe the bear's facial features.
• Sugar (for rolling): Provides a sweet, crisp exterior to the cookies.

How to Shape, Fill, and Bake Gingerbear Cookies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper to ensure easy cookie removal and clean-up.

Step 2: Create Cookie Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy.

Add molasses, egg, and vanilla, mixing until completely smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Ginger
• Cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Nutmeg
• Baking soda
• Cloves
• Allspice

Mix on low speed until ingredients are just blended.

Step 4: Shape Bear Cookies

Scoop out dough in tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls. Coat each ball in sugar.

Create a larger ball for the bear’s body and two smaller balls for ears, positioning the ears at the top of the main ball. Repeat for entire batch.

Step 5: Chill and Prepare Oven

Refrigerate cookie shapes for 15 minutes. While chilling, preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 6: Bake and Create Thumbprints

Bake cookies for 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Immediately after removing from oven, use the back of a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon to create a gentle indentation in each cookie’s center.

Let cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

Step 7: Prepare Filling

Microwave white chocolate, cream, molasses, and spices, stirring every 30 seconds until smooth and fully combined.

Step 8: Fill Cookie Centers

Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of filling into each cookie’s center. Allow filling to set for 15 minutes.

Step 9: Add Bear Details

Microwave black Candy Melts and carefully pipe tiny eyes and noses onto each bear-shaped cookie. Allow decorations to set completely before serving.

Smart Cookie Tips for Soft Centers and Crisp Edges

• Helpful Tips for Gingerbear Thumbprint Cookies
• – Chill dough before baking to prevent spreading and maintain bear shape's adorable details.
• – Use parchment paper for easy cookie removal and uniform baking without sticking.
• – Gently press spoon into cookie centers when warm to create perfect indentations for filling.
• – Melt chocolate slowly and stir frequently to avoid burning and achieve smooth consistency.
• – Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.

Creative Fillings for Your Gingerbear Thumbprints

• Chocolate Chip Bear Cookies: Replace white chocolate filling with melted chocolate chips and add extra cocoa powder to the dough for a rich chocolate flavor.
• Nutty Bear Cookies: Mix chopped pecans or almonds into the dough and use caramel filling instead of white chocolate for a crunchy, sweet variation.
• Maple Bear Cookies: Swap molasses with maple syrup in the dough and create a maple cream filling using maple extract and heavy cream.
• Pumpkin Spice Bear Cookies: Add pumpkin puree to the dough, increase spice blend, and use cream cheese frosting for the bear's filling and decoration.

Pairing Ideas for the Coziest Cookie Moment

• Pair with Spiced Chai Latte: Warm, aromatic chai tea perfectly complements the gingerbear cookies' rich, spicy flavors, enhancing the warm baking spices like ginger and cinnamon.
• Create Dessert Wine Match: Late harvest Riesling offers sweet, honeyed notes that beautifully balance the cookies' molasses and white chocolate filling, creating a delightful dessert experience.
• Serve with Caramel Macchiato: The creamy, caramel undertones of this coffee drink provide a luxurious companion to the bear-shaped cookies, matching their sweet and spicy profile.
• Elevate with Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Decadent hot chocolate with a hint of salt amplifies the cookie's warm spices and creates a comforting, indulgent pairing that feels like a warm hug.

Keep Your Bears Fresh and Buttery Soft

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Freeze: Place cooled cookies in a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag, keeping them flat. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. Alternatively, place in a preheated oven at 300°F for 2-3 minutes to refresh texture and revive flavors.
• Filling Tip: Store white chocolate filling separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Gently reheat in the microwave before using to restore smooth consistency.

Gingerbear Cookie FAQs for Curious Bakers

• What ingredients give these cookies their unique flavor?

The warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice create a rich, complex taste that makes these cookies taste like a cozy holiday treat.

• Why do I need to refrigerate the dough before baking?

Chilling helps prevent spreading and maintains the bear shape, ensuring your cookies look adorable and keep their cute bear-like form during baking.

• How do I get the perfect bear shape?

Roll the main dough ball, then create two smaller balls for ears and gently place them on top of the main ball before coating in sugar and baking.

• Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough in advance and refrigerate it for up to 2 days before baking, which helps develop deeper flavors and makes the baking process more convenient.

Gingerbear Thumbprint Cookies Recipe

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4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40-42 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Gingerbear thumbprint cookies bring warmth and whimsy to holiday dessert tables with their spicy-sweet charm. Festive guests will delight in these charming treats that blend traditional ginger spices with playful bear-shaped indentations and rich jam centers.

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Ingredients

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Cookies:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup white sugar, plus extra for rolling
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 pinch allspice

Filling:

• 1/2 cup white chocolate
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1/2 teaspoon molasses
• 1 pinch ginger
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch salt

Decoration:

• Black Candy Melts

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Instructions

1. Prepare two parchment-lined cookie sheets and cream butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until airy and smooth. Incorporate molasses, egg, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly.
2. Gently fold in dry ingredients: flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, cloves, and allspice until just combined.
3. Form tablespoon-sized dough balls, coating each in sugar. Create a main body ball with two smaller ear-shaped balls positioned at the top.
4. Chill cookie shapes in refrigerator for 15 minutes while preheating oven to 350°F.
5. Bake cookies 10-12 minutes until edges are set. Immediately create center indentations using a 1/2 teaspoon measuring spoon. Allow 5-minute cooling period before transferring to wire rack.
6. Prepare filling by microwaving white chocolate, cream, molasses, and spices in 30-second intervals, stirring until perfectly smooth. Carefully spoon 1/2 teaspoon of filling into each cookie indentation and let set for 15 minutes.
7. Melt black Candy Melts and delicately pipe bear facial features. Allow decorations to completely set before serving.

Notes

• Chill dough before baking to prevent spreading and maintain bear shape.
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother, more even cookie texture.
• Customize spice blend by adjusting ginger, cinnamon, or adding ground cardamom for unique flavor profile.
• For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with almond or gluten-free blend, ensuring similar consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 70 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg