10 Best Crystallized Ginger Recipes

Sweet, warming, and wonderfully chewy, these easy crystallized ginger recipes make the most of this unique and delicious ingredient.

Whether you make it yourself or buy it pre-made, it’s a must-have pantry staple for spice lovers.

Easy Ways to Use Candied Ginger

Crystallized ginger is small pieces of fresh ginger soaked in sugar water, then dried and covered in sugar.

It’s a tasty little snack that works incredibly well in cookies, cakes, and more.

Use it in cookie dough, fold it into banana bread batter, or chop it up and scatter it over a batch of cupcakes.

Trust me, there are no wrong answers! But if you need some inspiration, check out these crystallized ginger recipes.

1. Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Ginger Cookies 

Everyone loves warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

But when you add tiny bits of crystallized ginger? Oh man, they’re downright devilish!

Chocolate and ginger pair surprisingly well together. And you’ll love the added chew of the ginger in the fudgy cookie.

I suggest you double this recipe – you’ll need as many as you can make!

2. Crystallized Ginger Shortbread

Sweet, buttery shortbread is a thing of beauty. I could eat it all day, every day, and never get sick of it.

Especially if it’s loaded with crystallized ginger!

It’s a small addition that adds a wallop of flavor. And I guarantee it’ll quickly become your new go-to holiday gift recipe.

Want to take this up another notch? Add some chopped dark chocolate too!

3. Toffee Bars with Coconut, Ginger, and Almonds

These bars are too good to share – but you’ll have a fight on your hand if you don’t!

The shortbread crust is buttery and firm, giving you the perfect base for the toffee filling. 

A mix of almond slices, coconut flakes, and crystallized ginger, it’s not to be missed. 

4. Turmeric and Candied Ginger Ice Cream

I love unusual ice cream flavors. And this one caught my eye right away!

Sweet, creamy, and zippy, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and enchanting. 

Maple syrup sweetens the full-fat coconut milk base. Meanwhile, the fresh turmeric, ginger root, and crystallized ginger bring a wonderful layer of spice.

5. Crystallized Ginger Spice Mini Muffins

These mini muffins are an adorable addition to brunch. They’re also terrific for a quick breakfast or afternoon snack. 

Plus, they make a really nice change from the usual blueberry or banana nut muffins.

Spiced, soft, sweet, and crummy, I have a feeling you’ll crave them every day.

6. Snow-Capped Gingersnaps 

From the looks to the taste, these are the best holiday cookies around. 

Gingersnaps have a lovely brown hue. And when you dip them in white chocolate, it really pops on the plate.

The molasses in the dough makes them impossibly chewy, and the crystallized ginger will leave you wanting more.

Add some extra on top, and watch them fly off the plate. 

7. Vegan Ginger Cake

From Christmas treats and afternoon snacks to weekend desserts, this cake is fabulous all year long.

Sticky and dense, the spiced cake has a drizzle of lemon glaze to lift the deep flavors. And the chewy ginger brings sweetness and warmth.

Oh, and it’s egg-and dairy-free, too, so everyone can indulge!

8. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies

I’m in cookie heaven! 

The chewy texture, sweet molasses, and crystallized ginger have me weak in the knees. There’s even a streusel glaze! 

Sweet, malty, and nutty, these delectable cookies are jam-packed with ginger.

Even chocolate chip cookie devotees will happily trade in their favorite treat for these. 

9. Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Crystallized Ginger

Sometimes, it’s good to be a grown-up. Do you know why? Because you can skip dinner and go right to dessert.

That’s precisely what I did when I made this chocolate cake. 

Olive oil does wonders to accentuate dark chocolate. And the lemon zest helps to perk everything up. 

Of course, there’s no arguing the best part is the crystallized ginger. So don’t be shy with them!

10. Crystallized Ginger Crinkles

Here’s a sweet treat for the real ginger fanatics.

These cracked crinkle cookies are brimming with warming spices, brown sugar, molasses, and golden syrup. 

All of which complement the heaping of ground and crystallized ginger. 

Mince the crystallized ginger into teeny tiny bites. That way, you get little bursts in every sweet nibble of cookie.