Grandpa Bill's Ornery Gingerbread

If you ever knew my Grandpa Bill, you’d know he had a bit of an ornery streak. My summers were spent fishing at local ponds with cousins, often watching his fishing pole while he “watered the grass.” It was always an adventure.

Grandma was the one who made sure we were well-fed on our fishing trips, packing snacks for the day—including boxed ginger snaps. We quickly discovered that if you left the box on the dashboard, the cookies would warm up, soften, and somehow taste even better. Those cookies became a cherished treat.

Years later, I baked some gingerbread for my family to use in gingerbread houses, and the flavor instantly transported me back to those summer days with Grandpa and cousins.

These gingerbread cookies are a soft, thick, and perfectly spiced version of those ginger snaps I grew up on—made even better with a swirl of smooth buttercream frosting and a festive sprinkle of Christmas cheer. Warm them up for the full nostalgic experience, and they’ll be just as comforting as the ones I remember.