Description
These Chewy Gingerbread Cookies offer the perfect balance of soft and chewy texture with warm spices and rich molasses flavor. Ideal for holiday gatherings or cozy nights in, they use simple pantry staples and can be customized to fit dietary needs while maintaining their tender, flavorful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a mixing bowl to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agent for consistent flavor and texture.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with brown sugar until creamy and fluffy, creating a light base that will help the cookies achieve their chewy softness.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture until fully combined, producing a rich and fragrant batter.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, blending gently until just incorporated to avoid tough cookies while ensuring a smooth dough.
- Chill the Dough: Wrap your dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour to firm it up, making the cookies easier to shape and promoting better flavor development.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out or scoop dough onto lined baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but centers remain soft, then cool slightly before moving.
Notes
- Use brown sugar for moisture that contributes directly to chewiness over white sugar.
- Don’t overbake; remove cookies when edges are firm but centers look slightly underdone for soft middles.
- Chill dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain a thick, chewy texture.
- Measure flour carefully to avoid dry or cakey cookies.
- Use fresh spices for full gingerbread flavor as older spices lose potency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 20mg