Gingerbread men and houses are fine if you’re into tedious assembly projects and overly crunchy cookies. Gingerbread can do so much better. This year, ditch the royal icing glue and give those bold spices the spotlight they deserve. From cakes to brownies to pancakes, these recipes take everything great about gingerbread and turn it into treats you’ll actually want to eat. No cookie walls, no gumdrop shingles—just easy, flavorful ways to enjoy the holidays.
Gingerbread Cookies
These protein-packed cookies are a great way to snack during the holidays. Gluten-free, but full of festive flavor.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats meet gingerbread spices for a breakfast that’s great any time of year. A cozy way to start the day.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Oatmeal
Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
These cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with chocolate chunks and holiday spice. They’re an easy way to bring some festive cheer to your cookie jar.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Molasses Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Gingerbread Waffles
Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, these waffles bring gingerbread flavor to your morning routine. Perfect for a special holiday breakfast.
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Gingerbread White Russian
This cocktail combines rich coffee liqueur and gingerbread spice for a festive drink that’s great for holiday gatherings.
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Gingerbread Banana Bread
Classic banana bread gets a holiday makeover with gingerbread spices and a maple tahini glaze. A sweet treat that’s great for gifting or snacking.
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Gingerbread Pudding
This creamy pudding brings the flavors of gingerbread into a smooth, spoonable dessert. A simple way to end any holiday meal.
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Glazed Chocolate Gingerbread Loaf
Chocolate and gingerbread come together in this glazed loaf, making it a sweet addition to your holiday baking rotation.
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Gingerbread Cookie Bars
These bars are a great way to skip the rolling and cutting while still getting that classic gingerbread flavor. Cream cheese frosting on top makes them even better for a festive spread.
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Gingerbread Loaf
This spiced loaf is packed with molasses and ginger for a no-fuss holiday treat that’s great for breakfast or dessert. Slice it up and enjoy—it’s that simple.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Loaf
Gingerbread Muffins
These muffins bring gingerbread to a grab-and-go form, topped with a citrus glaze that adds just the right touch. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Muffins
Gingerbread Protein Bars
Quick to make and easy to love, these spiced protein bars are a great snack for cozy days. Plus, no baking required.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Protein Bars
Chocolate Gingerbread Cake Roll With Peppermint Buttercream
Gingerbread goes fancy with this cake roll. Chocolate and peppermint buttercream make it the star of any dessert table.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Gingerbread Cake Roll With Peppermint Buttercream
Gingerbread Bites
These no-bake bites pack all the gingerbread flavor into easy little snacks. Perfect for when you’re short on time but still want a holiday treat.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Bites
Gingerbread Brownies
These gingerbread brownies mix the flavors of cookie dough and spices into fudgy squares. A great option when cookies feel like too much work.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Brownies
Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
This gingerbread cake pairs classic holiday spices with an old-fashioned frosting that’s just sweet enough. A solid choice for any holiday dessert lineup.
Get the Recipe: Cake with Cinnamon Molasses Frosting
Muffins With Vanilla Bean Glaze
Gingerbread muffins with a glaze that adds just the right amount of sweetness. A simple way to enjoy gingerbread without a lot of effort.
Get the Recipe: Muffins With Vanilla Bean Glaze
Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies bring chocolate chips into the gingerbread game, making them a fresh take on the holiday classic. They’re vegan, but you’d never know it.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Chocolate Chip Cookies
Gingerbread Oat Flour Brownies
Fudgy and spiced, these brownies are a great way to mix things up during the holidays. Made with oat flour for a wholesome touch.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Oat Flour Brownies
Latte Cookies with Espresso Icing
All the flavors of a gingerbread latte packed into a cookie. Espresso icing takes them to the next level, perfect for coffee lovers.
Get the Recipe: Latte Cookies with Espresso Icing
Sourdough Gingerbread Biscotti
These crunchy biscotti are great with coffee or tea, bringing a holiday twist to your favorite drink pairings.
Get the Recipe: Sourdough Gingerbread Biscotti
Gingerbread Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin meets gingerbread in this pie that bridges the gap between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s like having the best of both holidays in one slice.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Pumpkin Pie
Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cake
These mini cakes are big on molasses and spice flavor, making them a festive addition to any dessert table. Easy to serve and great for small gatherings.
Get the Recipe: Mini Gingerbread Bundt Cake
Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Gingerbread spices take these soft, fluffy cinnamon rolls to a whole new level. Topped with cream cheese frosting, they’re a great pick for Christmas morning.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Cinnamon Rolls
Gingerbread Christmas Pancakes
These pancakes bring the cozy gingerbread vibes to breakfast. Soft, fluffy, and packed with holiday spices, they’re perfect for lazy holiday mornings.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Christmas Pancakes
Gingerbread Blondies
Chewy, spiced blondies with a touch of molasses and a frosting that adds just enough tang. Top with pomegranate seeds for a fun pop of flavor and color.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Blondies
Gingerbread Pancakes
Take gingerbread out of the cookie tin and onto your plate with these pancakes. They bring everything you love about gingerbread to brunch.
Get the Recipe: Gingerbread Pancakes
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
