11 Decadent Gingerbread Desserts to Enjoy All Winter Long

Gingerbread shines in more than just gingerbread cookies. Here's how to make 10 gingerbread desserts, like gingerbread cake, cupcakes, and more.

gingerbread-recipes
Photo: Samantha Seneviratne

Baking gingerbread cookies and decorating gingerbread houses are both non-negotiable holiday customs we look forward to all year. But the flavors of ginger, spice, and molasses can really shine in other delicious desserts as well. From bite-sized gingerbread cupcakes with lemon cream cheese frosting to stacked gingerbread cake lined with lemon curd, and even a gingerbread beer-tini cocktail, you'll want to try one (or all) of these sugary, spiced sweets.

01 of 11

Gingerbread Truffles

Gingerbread Truffles
Victor Protasio

These tasty truffles have the decadence of the classic chocolate treat plus the added flavor of all the warm spices you expect from gingerbread cookies. The recipe calls for rolling your finished truffles in a mixture of cocoa powder and ground ginger, but feel free to try rolling them in toasted crushed almonds, shredded coconut, or sprinkles—or dip them in melted candy coating for a crispy shell.

02 of 11

Slow-Cooker Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Slow-Cooker Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Greg DuPree

The only thing better than a mug of steaming spiced hot chocolate is one that's waiting for you after a long afternoon spent shoveling—or sledding in—the snow. Here, you'll slow-cook a generous portion of hot cocoa sweetened with powdered sugar, molasses, and gingerbread spices (like cinnamon, ginger, and cloves) for up to three hours for cozy cocoa perfection.

03 of 11

Gingerbread Stack Cake

Gingerbread Stack Cake
Samantha Seneviratne

This rustic beauty is simple to assemble and incredibly fun to eat. The cream cheese filling (which is flavored with lemon curd) can be prepared a day in advance, but the pancakes are best the day they're made. Sprinkle the completed cake with confectioners sugar for a snowy, festive finish.

04 of 11

Gingerbread Beer-Tini

gingerbread-beer-tini
Tavour

What do you get when you mix molasses, ginger syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, honey, espresso, brown sugar, and beer? This sweet, spicy beer-tini cocktail perfect for your holiday happy hour. It's part drink, part dessert, and entirely delicious.

05 of 11

Buttery Gingerbread Maple Muffins

Buttery Gingerbread Maple Muffins
howsweeteats.com

Burnt out on gingerbread cookies? Make muffins. They're baked with all our favorite cozy, warming spices and taste divine piping hot with a shmear of cream cheese for breakfast.

06 of 11

Gingerbread and Chocolate Sandwiches

Hot Cocoa Frosting
Beatriz da Costa

Hot chocolate doesn't have to be mixed with water and served steaming to be tasty. In fact, this hot chocolate frosting may be our favorite new variation, and it's especially delicious when sandwiched between two cookies. If you have time on your hands, make the gingerbread cookies from scratch.

07 of 11

Gingerbread Pancakes With Pears and Yogurt

Gingerbread Pancakes With Pears and Yogurt
Antonis Achilleos

Boxed pancake mix gets a spice upgrade with cinnamon and ginger, in this special winter breakfast, The finished gingerbread-scented pancakes are then topped with ripe pear and a dollop of creamy vanilla yogurt.

08 of 11

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men

Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men
Hector Sanchez

Make a double batch of these cookies because they are sure to go fast. All you need are a few cookie cutters to make these gingerbread men come to life.

09 of 11

Gingerbread Latte Whoopie Pie

GIngerbread Latte Whoopie Pies
Caitlin Bensel

Gingerbread lattes might be your go-to winter drink but what about turning this holiday favorite into an irresistible dessert? All the flavors of the drink come to life in a light and fluffy whoopie pie.

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Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies
Lucas Allen

Soft and chewy gingerbread cookies are the perfect accompaniment to your next cup of coffee or tea. Bright notes of cinnamon and ginger shine for a perfect wintery treat.

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Sparkling Gingerbread Star Cookies

sparkling-gingerbread-star-cookie-36530-realsimple

Fred Hardy

This shining star may just become your new favorite gingerbread cookie recipe. A soft and chewy center contrasts perfectly with the star's crunchy edges. You don't need to get out the piping bag to decorate these gingerbread cookies: They are dipped in a sweet glaze and dusted with sparkling sugar.

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