11 Ginger-Flavored Dessert Recipes

Not just for gingerbread, this spice adds a kick to other sweets

By
Carroll Pellegrinelli
Carroll Pellegrinelli
Expert baker and published author, Carroll Pellegrinelli shares her knowledge of bread baking and desserts.
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Updated on 06/18/20
Gingerbread whoopie pies with tahini cream filling in a decorative loaf pan

 The Spruce / Anita Schecter

When it comes to desserts, ginger is mostly known for being the main ingredient in gingerbread. But its unique flavor and little bit of spice also makes it the perfect enhancement to other desserts and sweets. For example, ginger and lemon pair perfectly in giant cookies, and the spice fits in comfortably in a pumpkin pie. In fact, it works well in almost any pumpkin dessert from cupcakes to cookies.

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  • 01 of 11

    Chewy Oatmeal Molasses Cookies

    Chewy oatmeal molasses cookies cooling on parchment

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Oatmeal cookies are always welcome at dessert time, but when molasses and ginger are included, these cookies rise to a whole new level. The sweet smokiness of molasses complements the warm spice of the ginger, both of which work beautifully with the oatmeal's chewy texture.

  • 02 of 11

    Pumpkin Cupcakes

    A pumpkin cupcake topped with a tall swirl of cream cheese frosting

    Collin Pollock, Pollock Photography / Moment Open / Getty Images

    Ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg spice up these made-from-scratch pumpkin cupcakes. The pumpkin batter is studded with chopped nuts, offering a bit of crunch to the moist baked cupcakes. Top with a cream cheese frosting or a dollop of whipped cream with a dusting of cinnamon sugar.

  • 03 of 11

    Gluten-Free Giant Lemon Ginger Cookies

    Gluten-free lemon ginger crisp cookies on a plate

    The Spruce / Teri Lee Gruss

    These oversized cookies offer a double dose of both ginger and lemon, giving these gluten-free treats a burst of citrus and spice. Included in the batter is ground ginger and crystallized ginger as well as lemon extract and lemon zest. Make sure to space the balls of dough far apart on the cookie sheet as they spread during baking.

  • 04 of 11

    Spiced Honey Cake

    Spiced honey cake slices drizzled with glaze

    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    Although a traditional Jewish New Year dessert, this spiced honey cake can be enjoyed by anyone at any time. The loaf is flavored with ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, sweetened with honey, and given a little boost of freshness with some orange zest. Ginger also makes its way into the glaze that is drizzled over the warm cake.

    Continue to 5 of 11 below.
  • 05 of 11

    Sugar-Free Pumpkin Pie

    Sugar-free pumpkin pie on a white cake stand

    Brian Macdonald / Photodisc / Getty Images

    Although this pumpkin pie is sugar free, it isn't short on flavor. The ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves bring a wonderful warm spice to this fall favorite, and the premade pie crust and canned pumpkin make for quick preparation. Top with sugar-free whipped cream and a bit of candied ginger.

  • 06 of 11

    Crock Pot Sugared Pecans

    Spiced pecans in a square dish

    The Spruce / Diana Rattray

    Sugared nuts are great to use as a topping for ice cream or pie, or to eat out of hand for a somewhat healthy dessert. These sweetened pecans (or walnuts) are cooked in the slow cooker until they develop a crispy glaze and then are given a shot of spice using the ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

  • 07 of 11

    Vegan Chocolate Spice Cookies

    Fresh from the oven, vegan chocolate spice cookies on parchment

    Dorling Kindersley / Getty Images

    Reminiscent of a gingerbread cookie, this dairy-free, egg-free treat adds a bit of cocoa for a chocolaty twist on a holiday favorite. Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg bring all of the familiar spice, while molasses contributes a sweet smokiness. The dough does need to chill for an hour, so be sure to plan ahead.

  • 08 of 11

    Gingerbread Truffles

    Sugar-dusted gingerbread truffles in a canning jar and on a red cloth

    The Spruce

    These gingerbread truffles come together easily and are a nice change to the usual holiday sweets. Melted white chocolate combines with ginger and other warm spices, chopped nuts, sugar, and crushed gingersnap cookies; the dough is chilled, rolled into balls, and dusted in sugar for a pretty finish.

    Continue to 9 of 11 below.
  • 09 of 11

    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Tahini Cookies

    A stack of pumpkin chocolate chip tahini cookies on a wooden table

    The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    You may not think of combining pumpkin, tahini, chocolate, and ginger, but all of these flavors complement each other, balancing out the sweet, nutty, and spice. And unlike many pumpkin dessert recipes, this cookie keeps the ginger and cinnamon to a minimum, allowing for the other ingredients to shine through.

  • 10 of 11

    Vegan Cinnamon Spice Rice Pudding

    Vegan cinnamon spice rice pudding topped with crystallized ginger

    The Spruce / Miri Rotkovitz

     

    This dairy-free rice pudding is warm and comforting, and quick and easy to put together. Arborio rice, soy milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger are combined and simmered until thick and creamy. A topping of crystallized ginger is the perfect finishing touch.

  • 11 of 11

    Gingerbread Whoopie Pies With Tahini Cream Filling

    Gingerbread whoopie pies with tahini cream filling in a decorative loaf pan

     The Spruce / Anita Schecter

    A whoopie pie is an all-American favorite that is most often made with chocolate cake and marshmallow cream filling. This recipe, however, combines the holiday-time flavor of gingerbread with the nuttiness of tahini. A generous amount of ground ginger gives the cakes a nice spiciness, which is complemented by the sweet sesame taste of the filling.