Take a step back in time with a classic holiday treat! Soft, thick and warmly-spiced, these simple and delicious Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies have been loved for generations.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies | 1-Minute Video
One bite from these gingerbread cookies brings back so many memories from my childhood! As a life-long Virginian, I've spent quite a bit of time in Williamsburg, and it's still one of my absolute favorite parts of our state. If you want a real treat, visit Colonial Williamsburg during the holidays -- it's a truly magical place!
The Best Gingerbread Cookies
An annual holiday visit to Williamsburg was a family tradition in our home, since it was one of my grandmother's favorite seasonal activities. In addition to the beautiful Christmas decorations, the music, and the festive spirit, I still remember looking forward to the delicious Peanut Soup at the King's Arms Tavern, the Queen's Cake, and the old-fashioned gingerbread from the Raleigh Tavern Bakery. Oh, that gingerbread is such a treat!
Even as adults, if my brother and I are ever in Colonial Williamsburg, we make a point to stop in the Raleigh Tavern to buy a bag of soft gingerbread cookies to go. There's nothing better than the aroma of the freshly-baked treats wafting through the kitchen -- with a mug of warm cider on the side!
How to Make Soft Gingerbread Cookies
This recipe will show you how to make homemade gingerbread cookies -- just like you'd find in Colonial Williamsburg. I did some research online and ultimately adapted the Raleigh Tavern Bakery's original recipe, so you know these authentic cookies are the "real deal." The end result instantly sends me back to my childhood!
Taste and Texture
The taste and texture of the classic cookies are truly unique. They're warmly spiced with a strong molasses flavor, but they're not overly sweet and the texture is a perfect cross between a cookie and a cake. They're soft (not crispy like some gingerbread cookies), and they're thick, chewy, and "cakey." In my opinion, they're holiday dessert perfection.
Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookies
- White sugar
- Ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Butter
- Evaporated milk
- Molasses
- All-purpose flour
Step-by-Step Instructions for Super Easy Gingerbread Cookies
- Combine sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix on low speed until well combined.
- Add softened butter, evaporated milk, and molasses. Cream together.
- Gradually mix in the flour until a stiff dough forms.
- Roll out the dough.
- Cut into shapes.
- Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes.
How to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies
The classic Williamsburg cookies are large, round cookies without any icing or other decorations. That said, the thick, chewy cookies do make a great base for traditional Christmas decorations! If you (or your kids) prefer soft gingerbread cookies with icing, then I suggest preparing a batch of royal icing and getting creative! There’s no wrong way to do it — so throw on some red and green sprinkles and have fun. If you cut the cookies into gingerbread man shapes, then a simple white piping around the edges, a smiling face, and some buttons down the front are a perfect touch.
Storage And Other Tips
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
- Wrapped tightly, the cookies will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Always allow the cookies to cool completely before packaging.
- Do not overbake the cookies or they will become hard and crisp. To maintain the soft, cake-like texture, remove them from the oven while they're still soft.
- Feel free to decorate these cookies with royal icing and sprinkles.
- Cut these cookies into different shapes, including gingerbread men, hearts, stars or other festive designs.
- I use a round biscuit cutter that measures 3 inches in diameter to make large cookies -- just like you find at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery in Williamsburg!
More Classic Christmas Cookies to Try
- Snickerdoodles
- Peanut Butter Blossoms
- 3-Ingredient Scottish Shortbread Cookies
- Grandmother's Bourbon Balls
- Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Christmas Cookies
Old-Fashioned Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 cup molasses
- 4 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray or line with parchment. Set aside.
- Add sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Mix on low speed until well combined.
- Add softened butter, evaporated milk, and molasses. Mix again until completely combined, starting on the lowest speed so that the liquid doesn’t splash out of the bowl. Gradually increase the speed until the butter and sugar are creamed together and completely smooth.
- Put the mixer back on low speed and add the flour one cup at a time, stirring constantly until the flour is completely incorporated.
- The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to your fingers, so if it’s still too soft and sticky, add up to ½ cup additional flour, as needed.
- When the dough is smooth, roll it out to ¼-inch thickness on a very well-floured surface. Use a cookie cutter or a round biscuit cutter* to cut the gingerbread into desired shapes. I used a round biscuit cutter with a 3-inch diameter.
- Place shapes onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until slightly golden brown but still soft. Make sure that you don't bake them for too long or they will become hard and crispy. To maintain the soft, cake-like texture, pull them out of the often while they're still soft and let them firm up slightly while they cool.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Video
Notes
Storage And Other Tips
- These cookies will keep for 1 week in an airtight container
- You can also freeze these cookies, make a big batch and freeze some for later
- Always allow the cookies to cool completely before storing
- Wrap the cookies tightly in cling film and foil before freezing
- Feel free to decorate these cookies with royal icing and sprinkles, enjoy some festive baking
- Cut these cookies into different shapes, gingerbread man, hearts, stars or other festive shapes
Mmm these remind me of the gingerbread cookies my Grandma used to make, which she called 'lebkuchen' which is 'gingerbread' in German. I can see why you would always stop for these cookies, and I love that you made your own! Thick, chewy, and cakey sounds perfect. What a fun treat for the holidays!
These would totally remind you of your grandmother, Gayle! Traditional recipes are the best, in my opinion! 🙂
These cookies have my name on them. They're so thick and chewy looking! YUM!
Yes!!! And not too sweet -- they're just right! 🙂
I'm so excited to try these, Blair! I love gingerbread, and these sound incredible! Also, I read a lot about your boys love for doughnuts- FYI Dunkin Donuts has a gingerbread cookie doughnut and a sugar cookie filled doughnut avail now ????????????❤️???? Happy Holidays to you all!
OMG -- I need to make a trip to Dunkin Donuts ASAP!!! Those sound amazing! I'm the gingerbread lover (for sure), and the sugar cookie filled donut would be right up the kids' alley! 🙂 Happy holidays to you as well!
Love going to Williamsburg and always have to stop at Raliegh Tavern for their gingerbread cookies and Queens cake. I will be anxious to try your recipe, thank you.
Awesome, Jo! I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who stops there every time for the gingerbread! Now I want to try the Queens cake, though!
Ooh, these look so perfect! Gingerbread cookies are a favourite of ours at Christmas time - followed by my snowball shortcake cookies!
Those shortcake cookies sound amazing!!!
Hi there can I have the Yummy shortcake cookie recipe sound good I'd like to have the recipe if you don't mine and I also really love gingerbread bread cookies and anything shortbread thanks ????
Hi, Lisa! The shortbread cookie recipe is here: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/scottish-shortbread-cookies/
Enjoy!
I’m adding these to my holiday baking list! Can you tell me what type molasses you use...dark or light? Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Hi, Kathryn! That's great!
I use an unsulphured molasses that's made by a brand named Grandma's. You can see it here:http://www.grandmasmolasses.com/
I am making “cookies in a jar” for gifts. Do you think I can layer the dry ingredients in a quart jar and attach the recipe for the person to add the wet ingredients? Will they turn as yummy as yours look?
Hi, Phillis! Yes, it should work fine to put the ingredients in a jar as a gift. You'll just need to make sure that they're layered in the right order so that the recipient can add the ingredients in stages, as described in the recipe. You wouldn't want them to just dump all of dry ingredients in a bowl at once. 🙂
Blair, can I make these now and freeze them? They look so good!
Absolutely! I have a stash in my freezer right now, and I just thaw a few on the counter (in a covered container) as I need them. 🙂 They're PERFECT from the freezer!
I wanted to make these ahead of time. Should I make dough and freeze or cookies then freeze?
Hi, Caroline! Make them exactly as instructed, including baking them. Let the baked cookies cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze. They thaw perfectly (and I have a stash in my freezer right now, too)!
Were just there last weekend. Got these cookies and a big hot cider while we walked Duke of Gloucester Street. Heaven!
Oh, lucky you! That sounds heavenly!
These sound wonderful! I notice that egg is not listed as An ingredient. Sorry...just wanted to be sure this was correct. I plan to make them tomorrow. Thank you!
Hi, Pat! That's correct -- there's no egg in the recipe. 🙂 Enjoy!
Thanks for asking that question...I was wondering about "eggs" as well!
I, too, am a Virginian by birth and grew up on the Peninsula in Hampton. My family always went to the Christmas illumination in Williamsburg and we looked forward to the gingerbread cookies and cider. Thank you for publishing this recipe. I'm excited to make these while bringing treasured memories to our home in Maine .
That's wonderful, Joyce! I'm so glad to be able to share the Virginia love with you -- all the way up north. Enjoy a taste of your heritage!!! 🙂
I was sooo disappointed last summer in Williamsburg to find out they no longer offer the brownies or the gingerbread! I'm excited to try this. Just curious though, no eggs in this recipe?
Awesome, Nancy -- I hope that you enjoy them! And yes -- you don't need any eggs for this recipe! 🙂
Blair, I just posted a photo. These are easy, delicious and just how I remember. My kitchen smells wonderful right now. Thanks again.
Joyce
Wonderful, Joyce! I'm so glad that you're enjoying a happy memory! Merry Christmas!
Hi Blair, once again you've come up trumps! Normally i turn to you for savory dishes until i stumbled upon the photo of these cookies! They looked so delious i just had to try them. It's just after midnight here in the Netherlands and i'm sitting in my warm cosy kitchen whilst waiting for my third tray of cookies to come out of the oven! I had not quite realised they would take so long to make or bake. But the wait is well worth it. I also had not noticed that the recipe is for so many cookies and they are huge :-). I plan to send the kids to the neighbours tomorrow with a tin full and pop some in the freezer (if the rest if the family don't get thete first! Angela
Hi, Angela!!! I'm so glad that you're getting a taste of Virginia -- all the way in the Netherlands! That's amazing! Enjoy the cookies, and Merry Christmas!
Does this recipe work for gingerbread man or tree cutouts?
Hi, Mary!
I've only ever used it for the rounds, since that's how they serve it in Williamsburg. That said, I think it would be fine with cut-outs too, so long as they're not too intricate. These make a really nice thick, cake-like cookie, so they will probably be puffier than traditional thin and crispy gingerbread cookies that you might otherwise use for cut-outs. They don't spread too much when baking, though, so you should be fine using cookie cutters. Hope that helps!
These cookies turned out fantastic! They will be a new holiday tradition for our family. They are super easy and fast to make and truly do taste like old fashioned gingerbread that you remember from childhood. A couple of helpful hints...I found the dough still a tad too sticky after I had added all of the flour. So, i turned it out on a floured surface and very gently kneaded it a couple of times. Really just a very gentle two/three turns. I then rolled out to a good 1/4 inch (and kept re-rolling scraps). With a 3” diameter round cookie cutter, I got 24 cookies and used up all of the dough. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! Merry Christmas!
Great tips, Pat! Thank you!
Made these for Christmas giving. They were a big hit! I cut recipe in half the first time because I only had 1/2 c molasses. They still came out great, but I did have to add some extra flour. Even after rerolling the scraps several times, the cookies were still perfect! Thanks for a new holiday tradition!
Thanks for letting me know, Jan! I'm so happy that you've enjoyed the cookies! 🙂 Merry Christmas!
When I was a very little girl, my family lived near DC and we often went to Williamsburg. What I remember most distinctly was these cookies and the molassas cookies. Yes, there are vaugue memories if costumed people doing period accurate things and such, but the cookies. . .
I wondered if I had dreamed them - and then I saw your post. ❤ I've Pinned it and will DEFINITELY be trying them soon.
Oh, I'm so glad that these bring back fond memories, Anne! They're definitely not a figment of your imagination. I hope that you enjoy them!
“1 ½ tsp baking soda” ?
Not baking powder?
Don’t you need an acid like buttermilk for baking soda?
No, the recipe works exactly as it's written. 🙂
I just made these with the kids and they are really yummy! I was nervous about no egg and vanilla added but they are fantastic! I'll be making another batch shortly after Christmas.
That's great, Katherine! I'm so glad that you enjoyed them! 🙂
I love the cookies at the Inn in Williamsburg and was thrilled to find the recipe and plan to make them soon. Do you maybe have the recipe for the Shewsbury cakes you can purchase there. The large sugar cookies? Love Williamsburg and I wish I lived close enough to go during Christmas sometime.
Hi, Sheree! No, I don't -- but I'll definitely work on a recipe for the coming year! Thanks for the suggestion!
Hello. I adore these Gingerbread cookies. I live strolling the streets of Williamsburg with one of these cookies, a cup of warm cider and stopping at one of the many bonfires during The Grand Illumination. Just perfect. One of the comments mentioned Queen Cake. I cannot find a recipe for it. I had some at one of the taverns and loved it but cannot find a recipe even in my Williamsburg cookbook. Do you or anyone posting here have a recipe? I sure would be grateful. Thank you and Happy New Year!
Hi, Bonnie! I will definitely share a recipe for Queens Cake in the coming months -- I just need to perfect it. 🙂 Stay tuned!
I made these for the Christmas time to go along with all the other cookies I was baking. They was good, but not much in ginger flavor. I added what it was called for and you could not even tell that they was gingerbread cookies. I think it would need extra ginger added or use fresh grounded ginger to get the ginger taste.
I know it's only September, but I saw this recipe on Pinterest and had to try it. I have very vague memories of these cookies (or their copycats) being sold at The Pottery in Williamsburg back in the late 80s and early 90s when we were stationed in VirginiaBeach. (Am I right about this?) I am always on the lookout for a great molasses cookie, and I am doing the slightly-warm-out-of-the-oven taste test as I write this! They are VERY good!! I used a total of 22 oz of flour in order to get the right consistency for rolling and cutting, which works out to just under 4 1/2 cups. (I measure all large amounts of dry ingredients by weight, not volume). I baked them on parchment-lined cushioned baking sheets for 11 minutes per pan. Also, I sprinkled turbinado sugar on top, just because I enjoy a crunchy top on a soft cookie. This one's a keeper! Thanks, Blair!
Great! Thanks so much for that helpful feedback and detailed information, Patty!
I'm not sure if the cookies were sold at The Pottery in Williamsburg or not. It wouldn't surprise me, but I've always picked them up from the little shop on Duke of Gloucester St. 🙂
If I’m not mistaken, one cup of flour weighs out to 4.5 oz. So 22 oz would actually be just under 5 cups of flour.
Every year we've been married (5 years now) my husband requests "gingerbread cookies" and every year he politely tells me that, though they are good, they aren't what he meant. In my mind gingerbread cookies were thin and crisp, but he wants them "like cake but a cookie- soft and fluffy" My 2 year old and I made these today and turned out to be exactly what he's been dreaming of. We did need to add extra flour and did skip the rolling and cutting, opting to roll them in balls and then press with the bottom of a glass. BUT THEY ARE DIVINE, light and fluffy ,with out that undercooked in the middle texture that some soft gingerbread cookies have had. This is my new go to recipe. I can't wait to start my Christmas baking now that I've found the perfect gingerbread cookie.
I love that, Katie!!! Thank you so much for your kind note. It makes me so happy to hear that your husband approves of the cookies! 🙂
Why are my cookies dark brown and not light brown like yours? What molasses do you use?
Hi, Claude! I just use regular molasses (Grandma's brand is what I have in my pantry right now). Did you use Blackstrap Molasses?
Can you substitute regular whole milk for condensed milk?
Hi, Connie! The whole milk is not an equal substitute for evaporated milk (also called unsweetened condensed milk), so the recipe would not work the same. The evaporated milk has about 60% less water than regular milk, so it yields a very different cookie texture.
I was feeling very homesick for Virginia today and this recipe of yours popped up on my feed. Our son went to William & Mary which gave us plenty of excuses to visit Williamsburg, even when he was busy! We lived in Virginia for over 45 years so it is hard to forget. When I realized I had all of the ingredients in my pantry, I took it as a sign to try your recipe. These cookies are perfect! Our family loves ginger cookies all year long, not just for Christmas. I think the whole neighborhood could smell them baking. My grandchildren came running in afterschool and devoured a dozen. Thank you so much for posting this delicious recipe.
That's wonderful to hear, Lisa! They bring back so many fond memories for our family, too. 🙂
Man I honestly was just now like, “I wish I could make the cookies like in Williamsburg” I googled so much then thought well I’ll just give Williamsburg Gingerbread a google and laughed that someone had actually posted exactly that! THANKS SO MUCH!!!
I love that!!! So glad that I could help to satisfy your craving! 🙂
Wonderful flavor and chewy texture. Made it with half whole wheat which added a slight nutty flavor. Did not roll out. Formed balls and slight flattened with a glass dipped in sugar.
Great! I'm so glad to know that they work without rolling, too. I'm going to try that next time! 🙂
I can’t seem to get this to form a dough either. I’ve followed directions exactly and even after using 5 cups of flour it is too sticky to work with. Any ideas?
Hey, Kristen! I honestly don't know -- I haven't had that problem. 🙁
I just wondered, out of curiosity, if anybody had tried making these using one of those embossing rolling pins to add that extra bit of pattern before cutting/baking. I'm curious if these bake up puffy enough that the pattern would be obliterated. I'm definitely going to try these for my holiday baking this year and can't wait to taste them!
Hi, Krystal! I haven't tried that, so I honestly don't know. Curious if anyone else has tried the stamping method?
Update after making these: the pattern rolled on top worked really well! It’s best to roll them a bit thicker to allow for rolling them a bit flatter with the patterned rolling pin. I didn’t do this so mine were a bit thinner than 1/4” - I baked them a bit less and they turned out great. These were so delicious. I’ll definitely be adding them to my annual Christmas recipe lists.
Perfect! Thanks for the update, Krystal!
I would like to bake and ship these for Christmas. I'm not much of a baker, and I'd like to add the dusting of powdered sugar. When do I do that? Is it when they're cooling? After they've cooled completely? Thank you!
Hi, Anna! I'm so glad that you'll give these a try! What you see on my cookies here is just the flour from rolling. If you want to use powdered sugar, I would do both -- dust with powdered sugar before baking, and then again once the cookies are cool. 🙂
Best Gingerbread cookie recipe I have ever tried.
Wonderful! Thanks, Ashley!
I just made these and they are so amazing!! Best cookie I have made! Thanks!
Awesome!! Thanks so much, Jessica! We love them, too. 🙂
Hi, there. I've made this recipe so many times, and only once did they ever turn out cakey and dense instead of crisp. What's the secret to that dense cakeyness? Thanks so much!
Hey, Lisa! I'm not sure why the other times they weren't cakey and dense. I've never had that issue, so I'm not sure what the difference was when you prepped them.
The same thing just happened to me when I made them for the first time. I followed the recipe and instructions exactly except I used shapes instead of circles but that shouldn't affect the texture. They hardly rose at all and were crispy on the outside and only a little soft on the inside. I'm so disappointed!
This is the exact recipe that I've been using for 20 years, and they are wonderful - a family favorite, that is perpetually on the list of must-have Christmas cookies. A friend got the recipe out of a cookbook she picked up on a visit to Williamsburg. Although they don't need it, they are luscious with a little vanilla frosting piped onto them, which we sometimes do at Christmastime. Thanks for posting the recipe so others can enjoy!
That's awesome, Laura! Aren't they so good? I love the idea of adding the frosting. They're so cake-like in texture that it would be like having a mini cake to eat!
I made these last year and my whole family loved them! I'm making them again this Saturday! We made gingerbread men out of these cookies! My kids loved decorating them. Amazing! I'm going to make these every year! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Jessica! That makes me so happy to hear! 🙂
Fresh ginger or powdered ginger?
Ground ginger (not fresh). 🙂
Would gluten free flour work instead of flour?
Hi, Jan! I honestly don't know, since I've never baked with gluten-free flour. I imagine that if you have an all-purpose gluten-free flour, the cookies would probably work fine! 🙂