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Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 80 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 24 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These classic gingerbread cookies are perfectly spiced, tender, and slightly crisp on the edges, making them an ideal festive treat. With warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses, these cookies bring a cozy, aromatic charm to any holiday gathering. Easy to prepare and fun to decorate, they provide a delightful activity as well as a delicious snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup molasses (rich and smoky)
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (sifted)
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon (preferably Ceylon)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together using a hand or stand mixer until the mixture is creamy and light in color, about 2 minutes.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and fragrant with warm spices.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together sifted all-purpose flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, baking soda, and salt to ensure even distribution of spices.
  4. Form Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky at this point.
  5. Chill Dough: Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a flat disc. Wrap each disc with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to relax gluten and help with rolling.
  6. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) so it’s ready for baking.
  7. Roll Out Dough: Remove one disc of dough from the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness, turning the dough occasionally for even rolling. The dough should be firm but pliable.
  8. Cut Shapes: Use festive cookie cutters to press shapes into the dough, lifting straight up to maintain clean edges.
  9. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the cut cookies onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing about 1 inch apart to allow for spreading during baking.
  10. Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are deep golden brown and the tops look set but not overly baked.
  11. Cool: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool for at least 10 minutes. They will firm up and become crisp at the edges as they cool.
  12. Serve: Enjoy these spicy, aromatic gingerbread cookies on their own or paired with a cup of hot cocoa. Perfect for sharing during festive celebrations.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, consider adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract in step 2 if desired.
  • If the dough feels too sticky after chilling, lightly flour your rolling surface and dough.
  • Be careful not to overbake, as the cookies will continue to firm up as they cool.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week to maintain freshness.
  • These cookies can be decorated with royal icing, sugar sprinkles, or left plain depending on preference.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, molasses cookies, Christmas baking, festive treats

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/gingerbread-cookies-recipe/