Gingerbread cookies are the epitome of holiday baking, filling your kitchen with the irresistible aroma of warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. These cookies are perfect for decorating, gifting, or simply enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa. With their slightly crisp edges and soft, chewy centers, gingerbread cookies are as delicious as they are fun to make.
This classic recipe creates cookies that hold their shape, making them ideal for cutting into festive shapes like gingerbread men, stars, or trees. Whether you’re planning a family decorating session or just want to indulge in some holiday sweetness, these gingerbread cookies are sure to become a favorite. With easy-to-follow steps and simple ingredients, you’ll have a batch of perfectly spiced, beautifully golden cookies ready in no time!
Gingerbread Cookies Ingredients
– For the Gingerbread Cookies:
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 tablespoon ground ginger
– 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup molasses
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– For Decorating (optional):
– Royal icing
– Assorted sprinkles and candies
Gingerbread Cookies Directions
1. Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Add the softened butter and use a pastry cutter or your hands to combine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add wet ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
3. Chill the dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
4. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer them to the prepared baking sheets.
6. Bake the cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Decorate (optional): Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate them with royal icing, sprinkles, or candies as desired.
How to Prepare The Gingerbread Cookies:
Start by mixing the dry ingredients, ensuring that the spices are well distributed throughout the dough for that perfect balance of warmth and sweetness. Adding molasses and brown sugar creates the classic gingerbread flavor, while chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. Rolling the dough to an even thickness ensures that all your cookies bake uniformly. Once they’re cooled, let your creativity shine by decorating with royal icing and festive sprinkles.
Preparation Time:
– Prep time: 20 minutes
– Chill time: 1 hour
– Bake time: 8-10 minutes
– Total time: Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes
Servings:
– Makes about 24 cookies (depending on the size of your cookie cutters)
Gingerbread Cookies FAQs
1. Can I make the dough in advance?
Yes, you can make the gingerbread dough up to 3 days in advance. Keep it wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated until you’re ready to roll it out and bake.
2. Can I freeze gingerbread cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze both the unbaked dough and the baked cookies. For dough, wrap it tightly in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months. Baked cookies can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
3. Why do I need to chill the dough?
Chilling the dough firms it up, making it easier to roll out and ensuring that the cookies hold their shape during baking.
4. Can I use different shapes for the cookies?
Yes! Gingerbread dough works well with any cookie cutter shapes. Get creative with stars, trees, gingerbread men, or even custom designs.
5. What type of icing should I use for decorating?
Royal icing is the best option for decorating gingerbread cookies because it hardens as it dries, making it perfect for detailed designs and holding sprinkles in place.
Conclusion:
Gingerbread cookies are the quintessential holiday treat, loved for their festive look, rich spice, and satisfying sweetness. This classic recipe gives you perfectly spiced cookies that hold their shape well, making them ideal for decorating with royal icing and festive toppings. Whether you’re baking for a family gathering, a holiday party, or simply creating memories in the kitchen, these cookies will bring a sense of warmth and holiday cheer to everyone who enjoys them.
Decorating gingerbread cookies is also a fun activity for kids and adults alike, letting you unleash your creativity while indulging in delicious homemade treats. Bake a batch of these cookies, share them with friends, or enjoy them with a cozy cup of tea, and celebrate the flavors of the season!
Print
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Classic gingerbread cookies with the perfect balance of spices and sweetness. These festive cookies are great for decorating during the holiday season or enjoying with a warm drink.
Ingredients
- ? 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- ? 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ? 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- ? 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ? 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- ? 1/2 teaspoon salt
- ? 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- ? 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- ? 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- ? 1/2 cup molasses
- ? 1 large egg
- ? 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decorating (optional):
- ? Royal icing or powdered sugar for dusting
- ? Sprinkles or candy for decoration
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. ✨
2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until well combined.
3️⃣ Cream Butter and Sugars:
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4️⃣ Add Molasses and Egg:
Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
5️⃣ Combine Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
6️⃣ Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up. ❄️
7️⃣ Roll Out Dough:
On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
8️⃣ Bake Cookies:
Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm but the centers are still soft.
9️⃣ Cool:
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
? Decorate:
Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, powdered sugar, or sprinkles as desired. Enjoy your festive gingerbread cookies! ?️?
Notes
◻️ These cookies are perfect for holiday decorating and gift-giving! ?
◻️ Store in an airtight container for up to a week! ?
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Holiday
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, European