Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Frosting Between – A Holiday Favorite

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft, tender gingerbread cookies — not the hard snap kind.
• Cream cheese or nutmeg buttercream filling that makes them gift-worthy.
• Holiday-friendly for dessert tables, cookie boxes, and make-ahead baking.

Soft gingerbread sandwich cookies with cream cheese or buttercream filling are a holiday baking win — they're make-ahead friendly, gift-worthy, and far easier than they look. In our family, baking gingerbread is a long-standing tradition, and this year I've added a special twist: instead of plain cutouts, I sandwich two soft cookies with nutmeg buttercream, creating something that feels both familiar and new.

What makes these different from standard gingerbread? The cookies stay tender — no snapping when you bite into them — and the frosting filling adds richness that transforms them into something worthy of a holiday gift box. They're the kind of cookie that looks fancy on a dessert table but tastes like home.

These are make-ahead friendly — bake the cookies ahead, then fill them closer to serving or gifting so your holiday baking is not all last-minute.

Watch how I make this recipe

This is a favorite for homemade gifts. See my guide to packaging homemade cookies and fudge for gifting.

Looking for more holiday cookie ideas? Browse my full cookie recipes collection.

Hello, fellow baking enthusiasts! As we gear up for the festive season, nothing quite says "holiday spirit" like the rich, spicy aroma of gingerbread wafting through the house. Gingerbread has long been a staple during the holidays, with its inviting blend of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves that seems to warm the whole home.

In our family, baking Christmas gingerbread cookies is a long-standing tradition. Each year, we gather in the kitchen, rolling out dough and cutting it into festive shapes, while sharing stories and creating memories. It's a cherished ritual that marks the beginning of our holiday celebrations. If you love traditional styles, you might enjoy our classic Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing recipe.

This year, I'm thrilled to introduce a special twist on this beloved classic: Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches with Nutmeg Buttercream. These sandwiches pair the timeless charm of gingerbread with a creamy, nutmeg-infused buttercream, offering a delightful new way to enjoy an old favorite. They make a great addition to any Gingerbread House Decorating Party.

Not only do these gingerbread cookie sandwiches taste amazing, but they are also wonderfully soft, which makes them a joy to bite into. The smooth buttercream complements the soft cookies perfectly, adding a rich layer of flavor that enhances the overall experience. For those who love a variety, why not try our Gingerbread Cupcakes or Gingerbread Man Chocolates?

Whether you're hosting a holiday party or just enjoying a quiet night in with family, these cookie sandwiches are sure to be a hit. They can even be the centerpiece at a dessert table that includes a Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Caramel Filling or a Gingerbread Bundt Cake from Cake Mix with Salted Caramel Frosting. So, let’s roll up our sleeves, preheat our ovens, and get ready to bake some magic into our holiday season with these unique and tasty treats!

Tools That Make It Easier

3-Tier Cooling Rack for Cookies: This multi-level cooling rack maximizes counter space by allowing you to cool multiple batches of cookies simultaneously. It ensures proper airflow around each cookie, which is essential for maintaining their texture and preventing sogginess.

Adjustable Rolling Pin: This rolling pin comes with removable rings that allow you to roll out dough to a uniform thickness. For gingerbread cookies, ensuring consistent thickness is crucial for even baking and perfect sandwich assembly.

Christmas Cookie Cutter: These themed cutters are used to shape the dough into festive designs such as trees, stars, or gingerbread men. They help create uniform cookies that are not only delicious but also visually appealing for the holidays.

Silicone Baking Mat: A non-stick surface for rolling out dough and baking cookies. It ensures that cookies can be easily removed without sticking, and helps in even heat distribution during baking.

Baking Sheet: Used to bake the cookies. It should be sturdy enough to handle the high heat without warping, which can result in unevenly baked cookies.

Kitchen Mixer: Essential for creaming together butter and sugar, and for mixing the cookie dough and frosting. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment is ideal for making large batches of dough and buttercream evenly mixed.

Needle Modelling Tool: This tool is helpful for adding fine details or correcting small imperfections in cookie dough shapes before baking. It can also be used to create effects or add features on the gingerbread cookies.

Heat Gun: Used in baking to quickly dry or set icing and decorations, ensuring they are firm and stable, which is especially useful when layering colors or adding intricate details.

Piping Bags: Essential for decorating with icing or buttercream. They allow for precise control when adding decorative details such as borders, flowers, or lettering on cookies.

Jumbo Piping Tips: These larger tips are attached to the end of piping bags and are used for filling or topping large areas with buttercream. They are ideal for adding generous amounts of frosting between sandwich cookies.

Heart Fondant Plunger Cutter: A specialized tool used to cut out heart shapes from cookie dough or fondant. In this recipe, it creates a heart-shaped window in the top cookie of each sandwich, adding a charming detail to the finished treat.

What You’ll Need From Your Pantry

Gingerbread Man Cookies

• 3 cups All-Purpose Flour: Or substitute for a healthier option like whole wheat flour or almond flour for added fiber and nutrients.
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon: Or substitute with Ceylon cinnamon, which is considered to have more health benefits than the common Cassia variety.
• 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger: Or substitute with fresh grated ginger to enhance the flavor and provide additional digestive benefits.
• ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda: This ingredient is essential for the recipe and does not have a healthier alternative that provides the same results in baking.
• ¾ teaspoon Ground Cloves: Or substitute with allspice for a milder and slightly sweeter flavor that still adds a rich aroma.
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Or substitute with freshly grated nutmeg for a more intense and fresher flavor.
• ½ teaspoon Salt: Or substitute with Himalayan pink salt or sea salt, which can offer trace minerals not found in regular table salt.
• ¾ cup Unsalted Butter: Or substitute with coconut oil or avocado oil butter for a healthier fat option that also adds a subtle flavor enhancement.
• ½ cup Brown Sugar: Or substitute with coconut sugar or a reduced amount of pure maple syrup for a lower glycemic index.
• 1 Large Egg: Or substitute with a flaxseed meal egg substitute for a vegan and cholesterol-free option.
• ½ cup Molasses: Or substitute with date paste to reduce sugar content and add natural sweetness with additional fiber.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: This ingredient is generally healthy as used in small quantities and does not require a substitution.

Eggnog Buttercream

• 1 cup Unsalted Butter: Or substitute with a plant-based butter to reduce saturated fats and make it vegan-friendly.
• 4 cups Confectioners Sugar: Or substitute with powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener to significantly reduce the sugar content.
• ¼ cup Eggnog: Or substitute with almond milk nog or coconut milk nog for a lighter, dairy-free version.
• ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg: Or substitute with freshly grated nutmeg for enhanced flavor and aroma.
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract: This ingredient is generally healthy as used in small quantities and does not require a substitution.

Before You Start: My Quick Tip

• Pull cookies when the edges are set but centers still look soft — they firm as they cool.
• Fill closer to serving or gifting so the sandwiches stay neat and tender.

Let’s Make It Together

Gingerbread Man Cookies Recipe Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, salt, and nutmeg.
2. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or by hand, beat butter and sugar for 2 minutes on medium-high until light and fluffy.
3. Add in eggs, molasses, and vanilla, and beat on medium speed until combined.
4. Reduce mixer speed to low and slowly add in the dry ingredient mixture until just combined.
5. Divide dough into two equal parts, shape into balls, then flatten each into a 1-inch thick disk and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
6. Chill dough disks in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
7. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone liner, and preheat the oven to 350°F.
8. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to ⅛ inch thick, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and transfer to baking sheets.
9. To create heart-shaped centers, use a Heart Fondant Plunger Cutter, ensuring an even number of cookies with and without heart cutouts.
10. Chill cookie cutouts on baking sheet in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before baking to maintain their shape.
11. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Eggnog Buttercream Instructions

12. Gather all frosting ingredients and set up your stand mixer with a whisk attachment.
13. Beat butter in the mixer’s bowl until light and creamy, about 5 minutes.
14. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition until fully incorporated.
15. Mix in nutmeg, eggnog, vanilla extract, and salt; beat on high for 8-10 minutes until smooth.
16. Fill a piping bag with the buttercream and twist the open end to seal.

Gingerbread Cookie Sandwiches Assembly

17. Place solid gingerbread cookies upside down; these will be the base for the buttercream.
18. Pipe eggnog buttercream onto the base cookies.
19. Gently place cookies with cutout hearts on top of the buttercream to form sandwiches.
20. Enjoy your gingerbread cookie sandwiches as a delightful treat, and consider gifting them to friends and family for a homemade holiday surprise!

Storage

How to present these sandwiches for gatherings

When it comes to presenting these gingerbread cookie sandwiches at your next gathering, think festive and fun! Arrange them on a decorative holiday platter or tiered cake stand wrapped in holly or garland to add that extra touch of holiday spirit. If you’re feeling creative, you can even dust them lightly with powdered sugar to mimic a fresh snowfall, which always brings out the magic of the season.

Packaging ideas for gifting

These cookie sandwiches make delightful gifts! For a personal touch, package them in clear cellophane bags tied with a colorful ribbon, place them in a holiday-themed tin, or use white paper boxes with a clear window to showcase the beauty of the cookies. Include a small card with a message or the recipe itself. It’s a thoughtful way to spread the joy of homemade treats and show someone you care during the holidays.

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