Bringing the festive cheer straight to your kitchen, these Gingerbread Cookies are soft, rich, and an embodiment of the Christmas spirit! Seriously, if you could bottle up the essence of the holidays, I’m pretty sure it would smell like a batch of freshly baked gingerbread.
And the fun doesn’t stop at baking; decorating these cookies is such a fun activity, perfect for creating memories with the little ones! While I like to stick with the classic Gingerbread men shape, feel free to explore with various cookie cutters – the more festive, the better! And here’s the icing on the (cookie) cake: there’s no need for food coloring!
What do these cookies taste like?
These Christmassy cookies are soft, spiced with a delightful mix of cinnamon, ginger, and a hint of molasses for that perfect winter flavor. In fact, the molasses gives it that rich, distinctive taste that sets gingerbread apart from all other cookies.
With each bite of these Gingerbread cookies, you are sure to experience a flavor explosion that will immediately get you into the holiday spirit! And that sugar icing on top ties everything together and gives that extra hint of sweetness, making these Christmas treats simply unforgettable.
Why should you make this recipe?
- Whether you’re a baking pro or a kitchen novice, making and decorating these cookies is a fun activity for everyone!
- These Gingerbread cookies are the perfect Christmas gift! Simply pack these cookies in a festive box and you have a thoughtful holiday gift that beats any store-bought item.
- That nostalgic gingerbread taste will transport you back in time, conjuring up memories of cozy winters, flickering candlelight, and the laughter of loved ones gathered around.
- These cookies are sure to impress your friends & family at holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
Cookie dough
Flour – The foundation of gingerbread dreams. I used all-purpose flour for this recipe.
Spices – Ground cinnamon, ginger, and cloves. A trio that gives these cookies a unique Christmassy taste and flavor.
Baking Soda – The unsung hero, working behind the scenes to give our cookies that perfect lift.
Salt – A pinch of magic that elevates the flavors and keeps everything nicely balanced.
Butter – Because, let’s face it, everything’s better with butter. It adds that melt-in-your-mouth goodness we all crave.
Brown Sugar – Adding a rich, caramelized sweetness to the mix, brown sugar is the secret ingredient for a decadent taste.
Egg – The binding agent that brings all these festive flavors together in sweet harmony.
Molasses – The star of our show, giving the cookies that deep, warm, and unmistakable gingerbread flavor. It’s basically the holiday spirit in a sticky, sweet form.
Sugar icing
Powdered sugar – The base for your sweet and smooth icing. Do not confuse or substitute with caster sugar.
Light corn syrup or honey – The secret to that glossy finish, ensuring your icing is as beautiful as it is delicious.
Vanilla extract – Adds a layer of flavor to your icing. Do not add too much as it will overpower the taste.
Milk – To thin the icing, use a bit of milk or water for the perfect consistency.
Tips for recipe success
- Before you start, read the entire recipe from start to finish. This will give you a clear understanding of the steps and help you avoid surprises along the way.
- Ensure your butter is softened, not melted. Softened butter helps in creating that perfect cookie texture—soft on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
- After mixing your dough, let it chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilled dough is easier to handle, and it prevents cookies from spreading too much in the oven, maintaining their shape.
- When rolling out the dough, use flour generously. It prevents the dough from sticking to your rolling pin and surface, making it easier to cut out those charming gingerbread shapes.
Soft & Delicious Gingerbread Cookies
Course: DessertCuisine: EuropeanDifficulty: Easy20
servings15
minutes12
minutes110
kcalEmbark on a delicious journey with these Gingerbread Cookies that encapsulate the true essence of the holidays. Soft, flavorful, and easy to decorate, they’re perfect for family fun and festive gatherings. Dive into the nostalgic taste of gingerbread, transporting you to the warmth of holiday seasons past. This recipe promises a delightful treat that adds a touch of joy to your Christmas celebrations.
Ingredients
- Ingredients cookie dough
200g flour (all-purpose)
1+½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp ground cloves
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
80g butter (softened)
100g brown sugar
1 egg (room temp)
30g unsulphured or dark molasses
- Ingredients sugar frosting
120g powdered sugar
2 tsp light corn syrup or honey
¼ tsp vanilla extract
3-4 tsp milk or water
Directions
- In a bowl, sift together the dry ingredients: flour, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt. Give it a good whisk before adding to the wet ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar with a handheld or stand mixer for about 2-3 min.
- Add the egg and molasses to the creamed butter and mix until well incorporated.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix until combined. The dough is sticky and thick at this point. Shape it in a round disc.
- Wrap the cookie dough in a plastic foil and allow to chill in the fridge for 60-90 min.
- Once the dough is ready, preheat the oven to 170C/340F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Place the dough on a well-floured surface, then roll it into a rectangular sheet (about 3-4 mm or 0.1-0.2 inch thick). Cut the dough using cookie cutters and place the cookies on the baking tray, leaving some space in between each cookie. Re-use leftover dough to cut new cookies.
- Bake for 10-12 min. or until the edges start turning golden. Once done, allow to cool in the baking tray for 1-2 min, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before you start decorating.
- To make the icing, first, sift the powdered sugar into a bowl. Add the corn syrup or honey, and vanilla extract, and whisk them together. Add 2 tsp of milk and mix, then add more until the desired consistency is reached (it should be similar to the consistency of honey, but a little more runny).
- Place the icing into a piping bag to decorate. After decorating your cookies, allow the icing to harden before stacking them – this can take up to 12h!
