Description
These Gingerbread Cookies are a comforting and festive holiday treat featuring a perfect blend of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses. Easy to make and ideal for decorating, they deliver a tender texture with a warm, spiced sweetness that brings holiday magic to every bite. Perfect for sharing with family and friends or gifting during the season.
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 the 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 add 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 improve flavor melding.
- Roll and Cut: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite festive cookie cutters—gingerbread men, stars, trees—to create charming shapes. Transfer these cookies carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each for slight spreading.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake the cookies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent over-browning. Once baked, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating or serving.
- Decorate and Enjoy: Once cool, decorate the gingerbread cookies with royal icing, colored sugar, or festive sprinkles for a cheerful presentation. This step is perfect for involving kids or guests to add personal touches to every cookie.
Notes
- Chill the dough to ensure easier rolling and cleaner cookie shapes that won’t spread too much during baking.
- Don’t overbake: Slightly underbaked centers keep cookies soft and chewy rather than dry and brittle.
- Use dark molasses for a richer, more intense flavor compared to light molasses or honey substitutes.
- Roll the dough evenly to allow consistent baking and smooth decorating.
- Store cookies in an airtight container with a slice of bread to maintain softness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (approximate)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg