Ginger chocolate chunk cookies are for the baker who likes a little bite with their sweet. Crystallized ginger brings warmth and a gentle spark, while big chunks of good chocolate keep things rich. They are cozy, grown-up cookies that still feel like a treat.
Spiced Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- Warm crystallized ginger paired with melty dark chocolate
- Crunchy walnuts for texture in every bite
- A grown-up cookie that is still soft and chewy
- Comes together in one bowl with simple steps
These come together fast once your butter is soft, so they are a good choice for a snowy afternoon or a quick batch when company is coming. The smell alone is worth the effort.
Chop your chocolate by hand for puddles and pockets of melt that chips just cannot match.
Save this recipe
Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why You’ll Love These Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
- These ginger chocolate chunk cookies have a spicy-sweet edge that sets them apart from a plain chocolate chip cookie.
- The crystallized ginger stays a little chewy, giving you tiny bursts of warmth throughout.
- Toasty walnuts and rich chocolate balance the spice so nothing feels too sharp.
Ingredient Notes
Most of these are everyday baking staples, with a couple of special touches that make the cookies stand out. Quick notes are below, and the exact measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Flour, baking soda, and salt form the base, so measure the flour gently.
- Powdered ginger seasons the dough itself for a steady background warmth.
- Unsalted butter should be soft so it creams up light and fluffy.
- Brown and white sugar together give you chew and a little crisp at the edges.
- Crystallized ginger is the star; mince it fine and use more or less to taste.
- Quality chocolate chopped into chunks melts into rich pools.
- Walnuts add crunch, though you can leave them out if you like.
For equipment, you will want a stand mixer or hand mixer, a large bowl for the dry mix, and a couple of cookie sheets.
How to Make Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Putting together these ginger chocolate chunk cookies follows the classic creaming method, with the fun add-ins folded in by hand at the end. Here is the quick overview before you head to the recipe card.
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees and whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and powdered ginger.
- Cream the butter, both sugars, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the flour mixture gradually by the spoonful.
- By hand, fold in the chocolate chunks, walnuts, and crystallized ginger.
- Scoop by the heaping tablespoon and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
This batch makes about 16 cookies, and it doubles cleanly if you are feeding a crowd. You can also chill the scooped dough and bake it over a few days, adding 1 to 2 minutes to the bake time when it goes in cold.
Storage Options
These spiced cookies keep well, so a single batch can stretch across the week. Store them sealed to hold in that soft, chewy texture.
- Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months, then thaw at room temperature.
- Freeze scooped dough balls and bake straight from frozen for fresh cookies any time.
Variations & Substitutions
This cookie recipe is easy to adjust to your own taste. A few small changes can dial the spice up or down.
- Use more crystallized ginger for a bolder, spicier bite.
- Swap walnuts for pecans, or leave the nuts out entirely.
- Try a mix of dark and milk chocolate for a softer flavor.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon to the dry mix for extra warmth.
What to Serve with Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Ginger chocolate chunk cookies are great on their own, but they shine even brighter alongside the right drink or dessert. Here are a few easy pairings.
- A cold glass of milk to balance the spice and chocolate.
- A mug of hot coffee or chai for a cozy afternoon break.
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream sandwiched between two cookies.
- A cookie tray alongside our chocolate stout cookies with Irish cream frosting.
Before you preheat the oven, here are the questions that come up most often. If you are in a chocolate mood, our cookie butter bundt cake is another fun bake to try.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gives ginger chocolate chunk cookies their spice?
The warmth comes from two sources, powdered ginger mixed into the dough and minced crystallized ginger folded in at the end for little chewy bursts.
Can I use chocolate chips instead of chunks?
You can, but chopping a quality bar by hand gives you melty pools and a better texture, so it is worth the few extra minutes.
Why did my cookies turn out dry?
They are likely overbaked. Pull them while the centers still look soft, since they continue to set as they cool on the pan.
Once you taste that mix of warm ginger and rich chocolate, a plain chocolate chip cookie may never feel like enough again. Bake a batch, brew something warm, and enjoy.
Ginger Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Save this recipe
Enter your email and I’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp powdered ginger
- 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup granulated white sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 large eggs
- 3 Tbsp crystallized ginger finely minced (use more or less to taste)
- 2 cups quality chocolate roughly chopped (see notes on chocolate)
- 1 cup walnuts chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and powdered ginger. Set aside.
- In a stand mixer cream together the butter, sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time and mix until incorporated. Add the flour mixture gradually by the spoonful until this is incorporated too.
- By hand, mix in the chocolate chunks, walnuts and crystallized ginger.
- Scoop by the heaping tablespoon onto cookie sheets and bake for ten to twelve minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oh My Melanie!! I just pulled this up and I can’t wait to try this recipe!! These cookies look and sound delicious!!
Thanks!
These look delicious!
Thank you Jackie!
These were delicious!! My kids loved them too! Thanks!
Very good! I love getting feedback. Thank you so much!
Today is my birthday, and I definitely think I found my birthday treat! If only I had someone here to make them for me, but the rest of the family is at work/school. Alas, I shall head out to look for good chocolate and crystallized ginger alone today. Thanks for the great idea, Mel!