Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

There’s something magical about the aroma of gingerbread cookies baking on a chilly winter day. These classic Gingerbread Cookies are filled with the warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, making them the perfect holiday treat to decorate and share with loved ones.

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I’ve been making this recipe since I was a child, spending hours with my family rolling out dough and cutting out festive shapes. From gingerbread men to stars and snowflakes, decorating these cookies has become a cherished tradition. They’re not only deliciously spiced but also sturdy enough for icing and decorating, making them ideal for gifting, hanging as ornaments, or simply enjoying with a hot cup of cocoa.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

These Gingerbread Cookies are everything you want in a holiday cookie – perfectly spiced, easy to make, and so much fun to decorate.

First, these cookies have the perfect texture for decorating. They’re soft enough to bite into, yet firm enough to hold their shape in the oven. This makes them great for cutting into festive shapes and decorating with royal icing or candies.

They’re also beautifully spiced. With ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, each bite is filled with the flavors of the season. The warm spices create an aromatic kitchen and fill the home with that signature holiday scent.

Plus, this recipe is easy and kid-friendly. The dough is simple to roll out and doesn’t stick to the rolling pin, making it perfect for little hands. It’s a great recipe for family baking time and creating holiday memories together.

Finally, these cookies are versatile. Whether you like soft gingerbread or prefer a crispy cookie, this recipe can be adapted to your taste. Simply adjust the baking time for a softer or crispier cookie.

Ingredients Notes

The beauty of gingerbread cookies lies in their rich flavors, which come from a few essential ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Molasses gives these cookies their deep color and rich flavor. Choose unsulfured molasses for the best taste. Avoid using blackstrap molasses, as it can be too bitter for cookies.
• Brown sugar sweetens the dough while keeping the cookies soft. Dark brown sugar adds a richer flavor, but light brown sugar works if that’s what you have on hand.
• Spices are key to the classic gingerbread flavor. Ginger, cinnamon, and cloves provide warmth and depth to each bite. You can also add a pinch of nutmeg for extra spice if you like.
• Butter makes the dough rich and tender. Use unsalted butter at room temperature for a smooth, even dough.
• Flour creates the structure of the cookie. All-purpose flour works best here, giving just the right amount of chew and structure.
• Eggs help bind the dough together, giving the cookies structure and moisture. For this recipe, you’ll need one large egg.

You’ll also need cookie cutters in your favorite shapes and a rolling pin to create the perfect gingerbread shapes. For decorating, royal icing or colored frosting adds a festive finishing touch.

How To Make Gingerbread Cookies

Making gingerbread cookies is a straightforward process, but there are a few tips to ensure they turn out perfectly. Follow these steps, and you’ll have holiday-ready cookies in no time!

1. Prepare the dough. In a large mixing bowl, beat ¾ cup of unsalted butter and ¾ cup of brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add ⅔ cup of molasses and 1 large egg, beating until smooth and well-combined.
2. Add the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of cinnamon, ½ teaspoon of cloves, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until a dough forms. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
3. Chill the dough. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill the dough for at least 1 hour. Chilling makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
4. Roll out the dough. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5. Bake the cookies. Bake for 8-10 minutes for softer cookies or 12-14 minutes for a crisper texture. Keep an eye on them, as the edges should just start to turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once the cookies have cooled, they’re ready for decorating. Gather your favorite icings, sprinkles, and candies, and let your creativity run wild!

Storage Options

These gingerbread cookies store beautifully, making them perfect for holiday baking ahead of time.

• At room temperature: Store baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They’ll stay fresh and are great for snacking or last-minute decorating.
• Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the cookies in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. If you’re planning to decorate them, freeze undecorated cookies and decorate once thawed. To thaw, simply let the cookies sit at room temperature for about an hour.
• Dough storage: If you want to prepare the dough ahead of time, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just be sure to let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before rolling, as it may be too firm to roll out right from the fridge.

Variations and Substitutions

Gingerbread cookies are delicious as-is, but here are a few ways to customize them to your taste!

• Spiced Icing: Add a pinch of cinnamon or ginger to your royal icing for a spiced finish that complements the cookies’ flavor.
• Chocolate-Dipped: Dip half of each cookie in melted dark or white chocolate and let it set for a sweet, festive touch.
• Orange Zest: For a hint of citrus, add 1 teaspoon of grated orange zest to the dough. The orange complements the spices and adds a fresh, holiday twist.
• Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour for the regular flour in a 1:1 ratio to make these cookies gluten-free. Be sure to chill the dough well, as gluten-free flour can make the dough a bit crumbly.
• Extra Spice: For a spicier cookie, add an extra ¼ teaspoon of cloves or a pinch of black pepper to the dough. This gives the cookies a deeper, more complex flavor.

Conclousion

Whether you like your gingerbread cookies soft and chewy or crisp and snappy, this recipe is easy to adapt. Get creative with your decorations and enjoy the festive fun of making – and eating – these classic cookies.

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