12 Days of Holiday Baking
12 Days of Holiday Baking is a easy American recipe that serves 12. 120 calories per serving. Recipe by For Love of the Mouse on YouTube.
Prep: 2 hrs 24 min | Cook: 10 min | Total: 2 hrs 49 min
Cost: $4.51 total, $0.38 per serving
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter (softened at room temperature)
- 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar (packed)
- 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Ground Clove
- 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg (optional – omit if nut allergy concerns)
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (splash of vanilla)
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/4 cup Molasses
- 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (recommended to sift before use)
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar (for coating the dough balls)
Instructions
Cream Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter (3/4 cup) and packed dark brown sugar (1/4 cup). Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3‑4 minutes, scraping down the sides twice.
Time: PT4M
Incorporate Spices and Baking Soda
Add baking soda (2 tsp), ground clove (1 tsp), ground ginger (1 tsp), ground cinnamon (1 tsp), a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract (1.5 tsp) to the creamed mixture. Mix briefly until just combined.
Time: PT1M
Add Egg and Molasses
Crack the egg into a separate bowl, then add it to the mixture. Pour in molasses (1/4 cup) and mix on low speed until just incorporated; avoid overmixing.
Time: PT1M
Add Flour
Gradually add the all‑purpose flour (2.5 cups) to the dough, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low until the dough comes together. Stop when just combined; do not overmix.
Time: PT2M
Chill Dough
Shape the dough into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) to firm.
Time: PT2H
Prepare Powdered Sugar
Place powdered sugar (2 cups) in a shallow bowl for coating the dough balls.
Time: PT30S
Form and Coat Cookies
Using a cookie scoop (or tablespoon), portion the chilled dough and roll between your hands into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter. Roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar, then place on a silpat‑lined baking sheet.
Time: PT15M
Bake Cookies
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies for 8‑10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Rotate the sheet halfway through baking.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 350°F
Cool Cookies
Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 120
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbohydrates
- 20 g
- Fat
- 5 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian
Allergens: Dairy, Egg, Wheat, Soy (vanilla extract)
Ingredient Substitutions
- Instead of Unsalted Butter: Margarine (unsalted)
- Instead of Dark Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar
- Instead of Baking Soda: Baking powder (use 1 tsp)
- Instead of Ground Clove: Allspice (1 tsp)
- Instead of Ground Ginger: Ground ginger powder
- Instead of Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon sugar (reduce sugar)
- Instead of Nutmeg: Allspice (1/2 tsp), omit
- Instead of Salt: Kosher salt
- Instead of Vanilla Extract: Almond extract (1 tsp)
- Instead of Large Egg: Egg replacer (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water)
- Instead of Molasses: Dark corn syrup (same amount)
- Instead of All-Purpose Flour: Gluten‑free flour blend (same amount)
- Instead of Powdered Sugar: Confectioners' sugar
Equipment Needed
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowl
- Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Sifter (optional)
- Plastic Wrap
- Baking Sheet
- Silpat Mat
- Cookie Scoop
- Cooling Rack (optional)
Critical Steps — Do Not Skip
- Creaming butter and sugar until fluffy
- Do not overmix after adding flour
- Chill dough for at least 2 hours
- Coat dough balls thoroughly in powdered sugar before baking
- Bake just until edges set (8‑10 minutes)
Chef Tips from the Video
- For an extra festive look, sprinkle a pinch of colored sugar on the coated balls before baking
- If you prefer a spicier cookie, add a pinch of ground allspice or increase the ginger to 1½ teaspoons
- Use a kitchen scale for precise flour measurement to avoid a gummy dough
Troubleshooting
Cookies spread too much and become flat
Make sure the butter is softened, not melted, and chill the dough for the full 2 hours before shaping.
Cookies are hard and dense
Do not overmix after adding flour and ensure you do not overbake; remove them at 8 minutes.
Powdered sugar coating falls off after baking
Coat the dough balls thoroughly and let the coated balls sit for a minute before baking so the sugar adheres.
Storage
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
Freezer: Freeze baked cookies in a zip‑top bag for up to 2 months.
Room temperature: Keep at room temperature in a sealed tin for up to 3 days.
Make-Ahead Tips
- The dough can be prepared up to 3 days ahead and kept refrigerated
- Unbaked coated dough balls freeze well; bake from frozen adding 2‑3 extra minutes
- Baked cookies reheat quickly in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to refresh
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cultural significance and history of Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies in American holiday cuisine?
Gingerbread cookies have long been a staple of American Christmas celebrations, symbolizing warmth and spice during the winter months. This particular crinkle version, passed down through a family’s recipe box, reflects the tradition of making dough ahead of time and sharing the cookies with loved ones during holiday gatherings.
What are the traditional regional variations of gingerbread cookies in the United States?
Across the U.S., gingerbread cookies range from crisp, thin snap cookies in New England to soft, cake‑like versions in the Midwest. Some regions add molasses, while others use honey or maple syrup. The crinkle style, coated in powdered sugar, is especially popular in the South and West for its snowy appearance.
How is Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies traditionally served in American holiday celebrations?
They are typically served on festive platters alongside other holiday treats, often paired with hot cocoa or mulled cider. Families often stack the powdered‑sugar‑coated cookies to resemble snowballs, making them a decorative centerpiece for Christmas cookie exchanges.
What occasions or celebrations are gingerbread crinkle cookies associated with in American culture?
These cookies are a favorite for Christmas, holiday cookie swaps, family gatherings, and even as gifts in homemade holiday tins. They also appear at school bake sales and community holiday markets.
What makes Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies special or unique in American holiday baking?
The recipe combines a dense, molasses‑rich gingerbread dough with a generous powdered‑sugar coating that creates a snow‑like exterior. The optional omission of nutmeg respects a family allergy, showing how traditional recipes can be adapted while preserving flavor.
What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies?
Common errors include overmixing the flour, which creates tough cookies, not chilling the dough long enough, which makes shaping difficult, and overbaking, which dries out the soft interior. Also, using melted butter instead of softened butter can affect texture.
Why does this gingerbread crinkle cookie recipe use a chilled dough and powdered‑sugar coating instead of a traditional rolled‑out dough?
Chilling firms the dense dough, making it easier to roll into uniform balls and preventing excessive spreading. The powdered‑sugar coating adds a festive snowy look and a sweet crunch that complements the soft interior, which a rolled‑out dough would not provide.
Can I make Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies ahead of time and how should I store them?
Yes. The dough can be prepared up to three days in advance and kept refrigerated, or frozen for up to a month. Baked cookies store in an airtight container at room temperature for three days, or freeze for up to two months.
What texture and appearance should I look for when making Grandma's Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies?
The dough balls should feel firm but pliable after chilling. Once baked, the cookies should have a lightly crisp edge with a soft, chewy center and a snowy powdered‑sugar coating that cracks slightly, creating the classic crinkle look.
What does the YouTube channel For Love of the Mouse specialize in?
The YouTube channel For Love of the Mouse specializes in seasonal and holiday baking tutorials, often featuring family‑passed recipes, detailed step‑by‑step instructions, and a warm, storytelling approach that celebrates food traditions.
How does the YouTube channel For Love of the Mouse's approach to American holiday baking differ from other cooking channels?
For Love of the Mouse focuses on nostalgic, family‑origin recipes and emphasizes hands‑on tips like chilling dough and using powdered‑sugar coatings, whereas many other channels prioritize quick, trendy recipes. The channel also weaves personal holiday memories into each tutorial, creating a more intimate cooking experience.
Last updated: September 6, 2026
