15 of the Best Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Men Cookies

No holiday treat platter would be complete without gingerbread man cookies! This is a tried-and-true recipe I'm happy to share with you. —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland

JoJo's Ginger Cookies

It's so much fun to decorate cookies with children's help. We created gingery moose-shaped cookies to go with a book made especially for my niece's third-grade class. The crispy golden brown cookies stole the show.—Jenet Cattar, Neptune Beach, Florida

Gingerbread Snow Globe

I make a big batch of these gingerbreads every Christmas to give to co-workers and family. For a festive decoration, arrange cookies in a large clear jar to look like a snow globe. —Kelly Kirby, Westville, Nova Scotia

Cream Cheese Frosted Gingerbread Men

Every Christmas, my family would visit a display of the most amazing gingerbread houses. Of course, we’d get to munch on gingerbread cookies along the way! I created my recipe with fresh grated ginger and cream cheese icing—it's the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. —Rebekah Jackson, San Jose, California

Jolly Ginger Reindeer Cookies

I made gingerbread cookies for years before realizing my gingerbread-man cutter becomes a reindeer when turned upside down. They’re super crispy and fun! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Gingerbread Cutout Christmas Cookies

Turn your cookie platter into a winter wonderland. One classic gingerbread boy cookie cutter can make a big batch of Christmas characters. —Donna Sasser Hinds, Milwaukie, Oregon

Easy Chocolate Gingerbread Cutouts

I have many wonderful memories making these chocolaty cookies with my family during the Christmas season. —Debbie Rowe, Lexington, Kentucky

Christmas Gingerbread Trifle

Trifle desserts make eye-catching centerpieces. I garnish mine using candy canes and red and green M&M's. Think of the merry possibilities as a kid-friendly project. —Cheryl Tompkins, Kingsville, Missouri

Swedish Gingerbread Cookies

Making Swedish pepparkakor—or gingerbread cookies—is a holiday tradition in our family. I entered these at the Iowa State Fair and took home a blue ribbon.—Kathleen Olesen, Des Moines, IA

Gingerbread Ice Cream Sandwiches

When it comes to making an ice cream sandwich, not all gingerbread men are created equal. Some are too crispy; others too soft, but these thin yet sturdy boys hold up nice in the freezer and make for a whimsical make-ahead dessert. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Gingerbread People

These soft, chewy cookies are favorites of my grandchildren. They love helping me decorate them. —Joan Truax, Pittsboro, Indiana

Gingerbread Cutout Cookies

Our two boys linger around the kitchen when these homemade gingerbread cookies are baking. I make this gingerbread cookie recipe throughout the year using a variety of cookie cutters. —Christy Thelan, Kellogg, Iowa

Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

My mother Esther created this recipe, and I've been making the cookies in her honor every Christmas since then. People can't get enough of the molasses and chocolate flavor combination.—Karen Sue Garback-Pristera, Albany, New York

Gingerbread Buddies

These cookies were ideal for a winter get-together I hosted. I like to share these crunchy treats on the way home from cutting our fresh Christmas tree.—Shelly Rynearson, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

Gingerbread Babies

These homemade gingerbread cookies are inspired by the antics in the Gingerbread Baby story by Jan Brett. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen