Description
Enjoy the festive season with these classic gingerbread cookies, perfectly spiced and ideal for holiday gatherings. Fun to decorate with family and friends, they make a delightful treat that captures the spirit of the holidays.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Royal icing (for decorating, optional)
- Colored sprinkles (for decorating, optional)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, divide the chilled dough into two portions, keeping one in the fridge while working with the other.
- Roll out the first portion of dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Use flour to prevent sticking if necessary.
- Cut out shapes using cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each cookie.
- Gather scraps, re-roll, and cut out more cookies until all dough is used. Repeat with the second portion.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, until firm to the touch but still soft in the center. The edges should darken slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and colored sprinkles as desired.
Notes
- For best results, chill the dough overnight for enhanced flavor and easier handling.
- Feel free to get creative with cookie shapes and decorations to make your gingerbread cookies unique!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes