Description
Classic gingerbread cookies with warm spices, a rich molasses flavor, and a soft yet slightly crisp texture. Perfect for festive occasions and holiday celebrations, these cookies are easy to make and fun to decorate.
Ingredients
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: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and molasses until combined. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a smooth dough forms. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour to make rolling easier and enhance flavor melding.
- Roll and Cut: Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use festive cookie cutters like gingerbread men, stars, or trees to cut out shapes. Carefully transfer the cookies to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them to allow for slight spreading during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, watching closely to prevent over-browning. Once baked, remove from oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack.
- Decorate and Enjoy: After cookies have cooled, decorate with royal icing, colored sugar, or festive sprinkles as desired. This step is great for involving children or guests to personalize the cookies.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading and makes it easier to handle.
- Use parchment paper on the baking sheet to prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice for additional flavor variation.
- For vegan version, substitute butter with margarine and egg with flax egg or similar alternatives.
