Description
These classic Gingerbread Cookies are a festive favorite, bursting with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Softened butter and molasses create a rich, moist texture, while the dough chills to enhance flavor and ease rolling. Cut into charming shapes and baked to golden perfection, these cookies are perfect for decorating and sharing during the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions
- Prepare Your Dough: Whisk together all dry ingredients — flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt — in one bowl. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour to make rolling easier and enhance the flavors.
- Roll and Cut: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters such as gingerbread men, stars, or trees to cut the dough into shapes. Carefully transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent them from over-browning. Remove the cookies from the oven when edges are firm but centers are still slightly soft. Let them cool completely on a wire rack before decorating.
- Decorate and Enjoy: Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate them with royal icing, colored sugar, or festive sprinkles for a cheerful touch. This step is great for involving kids or guests to personalize every cookie.
Notes
- Chilling the dough for at least one hour helps prevent excessive spreading and improves flavor.
- Use parchment paper on baking sheets to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Watch closely during baking as oven temperatures vary and cookies can quickly over-brown.
- If desired, store decorated cookies in an airtight container for up to one week.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use a flax egg instead of a chicken egg, adjusting flavor slightly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
