24 Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Desserts That Warm You Up

Posted on October 25, 2025

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Introduction

There’s something magical about the smell of gingerbread wafting through the kitchen. The rich molasses, the warm spice of cinnamon, the comfort of butter melting into golden sugar — it’s the scent of pure nostalgia. Whether you grew up with soft cookies or hearty loaves, these old-fashioned gingerbread desserts will fill your home with warmth, love, and a little holiday magic.

1. Classic Gingerbread Cake


 This cake is simple, old-fashioned perfection soft, fragrant, and rich with molasses.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 cup hot water
  • 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8-inch square pan.
  2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth. Add molasses and egg; mix well.
  3. In another bowl, combine all dry ingredients.
  4. Add dry ingredients alternately with hot water, stirring until smooth.
  5. Pour into pan and bake 40–45 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

How to Serve It:
 Serve warm with whipped cream or a drizzle of lemon sauce for old-fashioned charm.

2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies


 These cookies are tender, chewy, and full of holiday spirit.

Ingredients:

  • 2¼ cups flour
  • 2 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
  2. In another bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add molasses and egg.
  3. Combine both mixtures to form a soft dough.
  4. Chill 1 hour. Roll into balls, coat with sugar, and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Perfect with hot cocoa or tucked into gift tins for friends.

3. Gingerbread Cupcakes


 Tiny cakes that pack big spice and sweetness in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup hot water

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, molasses, and egg together.
  3. Mix dry ingredients separately, then add alternately with water.
  4. Fill liners ¾ full and bake 20–22 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Frost with cream cheese icing and top with a sprinkle of nutmeg.

4. Gingerbread Trifle


 Layers of sweetness, spice, and cream — a showstopper dessert that feels festive and elegant.

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch of gingerbread cake, cubed
  • 2 cups whipped cream
  • ½ cup caramel sauce
  • Crushed ginger cookies

Instructions:

  1. In a glass bowl, layer gingerbread cubes, whipped cream, and caramel.
  2. Repeat until full.
  3. Top with crushed cookies and chill for at least 1 hour.

How to Serve It:
 Serve in small clear glasses for individual treats.

5. Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars


 The creamy smoothness of cheesecake meets the cozy spice of gingerbread.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups crushed ginger cookies
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 16 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 eggs

Instructions:

  1. Mix crumbs with butter and press into pan.
  2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, molasses, and spices until smooth.
  3. Add eggs and mix gently.
  4. Pour over crust and bake at 325°F for 35–40 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Chill, slice, and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

6. Gingerbread Loaf with Lemon Glaze


 This loaf is a cozy classic — spicy, moist, and kissed with zesty lemon.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Lemon Glaze:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses. Add egg.
  3. Mix dry ingredients and add alternately with buttermilk.
  4. Pour into loaf pan; bake 50–55 minutes.
  5. Drizzle glaze over cooled loaf.

How to Serve It:
 Serve slices warm with a pat of butter or extra glaze.

7. Gingerbread Pancakes


 Breakfast with the heart of the holidays — soft, spiced, and perfectly cozy.

Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 egg

Instructions:

  1. Combine dry ingredients.
  2. In another bowl, whisk milk, molasses, and egg.
  3. Stir wet into dry until smooth.
  4. Cook on a greased griddle, 2–3 minutes per side.

How to Serve It:
 Top with maple syrup, whipped cream, or candied pecans.

8. Gingerbread Ice Cream


 The flavors of gingerbread in a cool, dreamy scoop.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¾ cup molasses
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 4 egg yolks

Instructions:

  1. Warm milk, cream, sugar, and molasses in a saucepan.
  2. Whisk yolks in a bowl; slowly pour in some warm liquid to temper.
  3. Return to heat, cook until thickened.
  4. Chill, churn, and freeze.

How to Serve It:
 Top with crumbled ginger cookies and caramel drizzle.

9. Baked Gingerbread Donuts


 These baked donuts are soft, cakey, and wonderfully fragrant.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • ¼ cup molasses

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix wet and dry ingredients separately, then combine.
  3. Pipe into greased donut pan.
  4. Bake 12–14 minutes. Cool and glaze.

How to Serve It:
 Add a maple or vanilla glaze and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

10. Gingerbread Latte Mousse


 A silky mousse that combines coffee, molasses, and winter spice.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup espresso
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 2 egg yolks
  • ¼ cup sugar

Instructions:

  1. Whisk yolks and sugar together.
  2. Heat espresso and molasses; temper the egg mixture.
  3. Cook over low heat until thick.
  4. Chill, then fold in whipped cream.
  5. Refrigerate 4 hours before serving.

How to Serve It:
 Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa or cinnamon.

11. Gingerbread Brownies


 Fudgy, chewy, and just the right balance of chocolate and spice.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup flour
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Melt butter and mix with sugar, molasses, and eggs.
  3. Stir in dry ingredients until combined.
  4. Pour into pan and bake 25–30 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Dust with powdered sugar or serve warm with ice cream.

12. Gingerbread Icebox Cake


 Creamy, simple, and nostalgic — the perfect make-ahead dessert.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 3 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2 sleeves ginger cookies

Instructions:

  1. Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla to stiff peaks.
  2. Layer cookies and whipped cream in a loaf pan.
  3. Repeat layers and chill overnight.

How to Serve It:
 Slice cold and garnish with crushed cookies or caramel drizzle.

13. Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Pie


 This pie takes everything you love about gingerbread and wraps it in a buttery, flaky crust — pure comfort in every bite.

Ingredients:

  • 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
  • 1 cup molasses
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a bowl, whisk molasses, sugar, eggs, and butter.
  3. Add milk and spices, whisking until smooth.
  4. Pour into crust and bake 45–50 minutes until set.

How to Serve It:
 Top with fresh whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

14. Gingerbread Whoopie Pies


 Soft, cake-like cookies meet sweet, fluffy filling — a handheld taste of happiness.

Ingredients:

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • ½ cup hot water

Filling:

  • 1 cup marshmallow fluff
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients. In another bowl, cream butter, sugar, and molasses. Add egg.
  3. Combine both mixtures, adding hot water last.
  4. Drop by spoonfuls on a lined sheet; bake 10–12 minutes.
  5. Beat filling ingredients until fluffy and sandwich cookies together.

How to Serve It:
 Keep chilled until serving for the perfect soft texture.

15. Gingerbread Bread Pudding


 This pudding is rich, spiced, and gooey — the best way to use up leftover gingerbread.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups cubed gingerbread cake
  • 2 cups milk
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, molasses, and spices.
  3. Pour over gingerbread cubes in a baking dish.
  4. Let soak for 10 minutes, then bake 35–40 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Serve warm with caramel sauce or vanilla custard.

16. Gingerbread Truffles


 Rich, decadent little treats that make beautiful homemade gifts.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups crushed ginger cookies
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tbsp molasses
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 8 oz dark chocolate for coating

Instructions:

  1. Mix crumbs, cream cheese, molasses, and cinnamon.
  2. Roll into small balls and chill for 30 minutes.
  3. Dip in melted chocolate and place on parchment.
  4. Chill until firm.

How to Serve It:
 Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with white chocolate.

17. Gingerbread Muffins


 Soft and spiced, these muffins are perfect for cozy mornings.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp cloves
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup butter
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ cup milk

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a muffin tin.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, molasses, and egg.
  3. Combine dry ingredients separately, then add alternately with milk.
  4. Spoon into cups and bake 18–20 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Serve warm with a pat of butter or drizzle of honey.

18. Gingerbread Roll Cake


 Elegant and irresistible — this roll looks fancy but feels homey.

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 4 eggs
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • Powdered sugar for rolling

Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Beat eggs and sugar until fluffy; add molasses.
  3. Fold in dry ingredients.
  4. Spread onto parchment-lined jelly roll pan; bake 10–12 minutes.
  5. Roll in a towel with powdered sugar. Cool, unroll, and spread filling. Re-roll and chill.

How to Serve It:
 Slice thick and dust with sugar before serving.

19. Gingerbread Scones


 Buttery, crumbly, and perfect with a cup of tea.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup butter, cold
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ⅓ cup molasses
  • ½ cup cream

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients, then cut in butter.
  3. Stir in molasses and cream until dough forms.
  4. Shape into a circle, cut wedges, and bake 15–17 minutes.

How to Serve It:
 Drizzle with vanilla glaze or serve warm with clotted cream.

20. Gingerbread French Toast


 A cozy twist on a breakfast classic.

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices gingerbread loaf
  • 3 eggs
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

  1. Whisk eggs, milk, and spices.
  2. Dip each slice of gingerbread into the mixture.
  3. Cook on a buttered skillet until golden on both sides.

How to Serve It:
 Top with maple syrup and fresh berries for a festive breakfast.

21. Gingerbread Fudge


 Sweet, spiced, and melt-in-your-mouth creamy.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ginger

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over low heat.
  2. Stir until smooth.
  3. Pour into a parchment-lined pan and chill until firm.
  4. Cut into small squares.

How to Serve It:
 Wrap in parchment for easy holiday gifting.

22. Gingerbread Milkshake


 Cold, creamy, and full of cozy spice — a drinkable dessert!

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups vanilla ice cream
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 tbsp molasses
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ginger

Instructions:

  1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
  2. Pour into a tall glass.

How to Serve It:
 Top with whipped cream and a mini ginger cookie.

23. Gingerbread Parfaits


 Light yet indulgent, with layers of texture and flavor.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup crushed gingerbread
  • 2 cups vanilla pudding
  • 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions:

  1. Layer crumbs, pudding, and cream in glasses.
  2. Repeat layers and chill before serving.

How to Serve It:
 Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or cookie crumbs.

24. Gingerbread Bread with Maple Glaze


 The perfect ending — rich, moist bread sweetened with a golden glaze.

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk

Maple Glaze:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Cream butter, sugar, and molasses. Add egg.
  3. Stir in dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk.
  4. Pour into loaf pan; bake 50–55 minutes.
  5. Drizzle with maple glaze once cooled.

How to Serve It:
 Serve with tea or wrap as a thoughtful homemade gift.

Conclusion

Every recipe here carries that comforting scent of ginger, cinnamon, and love — the same smell that has filled kitchens for generations. These old-fashioned gingerbread desserts are more than sweets; they’re little pieces of memory. So tie on your apron, preheat the oven, and bring a touch of warmth to your winter days — one cozy bite at a time.

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