Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Classic gingerbread cookies are a delightful treat for the holidays, featuring a perfect blend of spices and a soft, chewy texture. This recipe yields beautifully cutout shapes, perfect for decorating with icing.
Equipment
- Medium bowl
- Electric mixer
- Large bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Baking sheets
- Cookie cutters
- Wire rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups All-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp Ground ginger
- 1 tbsp Ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp Ground cloves
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 0.5 tsp Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter 2 sticks, softened
- 1 cup Brown sugar packed
- 0.5 cup Molasses unsulphured, regular
- 1 Large egg
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
Optional Icing Ingredients
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 2-3 tbsp Milk or lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt, then set aside.
Prepare Wet Ingredients
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, then beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Combine and Chill Dough
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms; divide the dough into two discs, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Roll and Cut Cookies
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper; on a floured surface, roll one dough disc to 1/4-inch thickness, cut shapes with cookie cutters, and transfer to baking sheets, rerolling scraps as needed.
Bake and Cool
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set; cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, then repeat with the second dough disc.
Decorate (Optional)
- Once completely cool, decorate with royal icing or a simple powdered sugar glaze if desired.
Notes
For best results, ensure your butter is truly softened for easy creaming. Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much during baking, ensuring your cut-out shapes hold their form. Get creative with your cookie cutters for festive holiday shapes!