Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

I enjoy preparing these Soft Gingerbread Cookies that fill my kitchen with festive aromas. A harmonious blend of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and molasses creates a delightful treat. Each batch reminds me of joyful holiday moments, sparking wonder with every bite while the artful mix of spices brings a heartwarming twist.

I recently tried my hand at making these gingerbread cookies and they turned out to be pretty awesome. The recipe calls for basic ingredients like 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 2 teaspoons ground ginger, but its magic really comes from the mix of spices and a couple other key players like 3/4 cup unsalted butter and 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar.

When i combined unsulfured molasses, 1 large egg, and a splash of vanilla extract, i knew i was in for something special—not your typical holiday treat. These cookies got a nice crinkle on the edges while still staying soft in the middle, theyre perfect for impromptu Christmas cooking sessions or even as easy cookies for a quick holiday dessert.

It was interesting watching how a few simple ingredients could come together to make something both traditional and unexpected. Enjoy trying it out!

Why I Like this Recipe

1. I really love how the spices in this recipe – like the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves – mix together to give it a warm, comforting taste that just reminds me of my childhood.

2. I enjoy how the cookies turn out a bit crispy on the edges but still soft in the middle, sort of like that perfect balance you always look for in a cookie.

3. I appreciate how fun it is to make these cookies. Even though the dough can be a little sticky sometimes, it makes the whole process feel more homemade and real.

4. I also like the way the whole recipe fills my kitchen with an awesome, holiday-like aroma that instantly makes me happy and nostalgic.

Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: Main carbohydrate that builds structure in cookies and gives them their hearty base.
• Dark Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness, moisture and hints of caramel from natural molasses additives.
• Molasses: Adds tangy, rich, deep flavor and slightly chewy texture to each cookie.
• Unsalted Butter: Gives tender texture and irresistible buttery flavor to gingerbread cookies.
• Ground Ginger: Key spice that delivers warming, spicy kick while improving digestion benefits.
• Ground Cinnamon and Cloves: Infuse warm fragrance, depth and subtle sweetness in every bite.

Ingredient Quantities

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3. In a large bowl, cream 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened) with 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy

4. Beat in 1 large egg, 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until they are well mixed

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until everything is combined dont overmix

6. If the dough feels too sticky, chill it in the fridge for about an hour so its easier to roll out later

7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness and use cookie cutters to shape your gums

8. Place the cut cookies onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each

9. Bake the cookies for about 8 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn, they should be firm on the outside but a bit soft in the center

10. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a couple of minutes then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling out completely Enjoy your gingerbread cookies!

Equipment Needed

1. An oven set to 350°F
2. A baking sheet and parchment paper
3. A medium bowl for the dry ingredients
4. A whisk
5. A large bowl for mixing the wet ingredients
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. An electric mixer or a sturdy spatula
8. A rolling pin and a lightly floured surface
9. Cookie cutters
10. A refrigerator for chilling the dough if needed
11. A wire cooling rack
12. A timer to keep track of the baking time

FAQ

Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have unsalted butter, try using salted butter but reduce the added salt a bit
• If you ran out of dark brown sugar, you can mix white sugar with a teaspoon of molasses per cup of sugar
• If you cant find unsulfured molasses, using honey or maple syrup in equal parts is a decent substitution though the flavor will be a bit different
• If you dont have a large egg, you can make a flax egg by mixing 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons water

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is soft enough before you start creaming it with the sugar, it helps to get a light and fluffy mix so that your cookies come out with the perfect texture.

2. When you combine your wet and dry ingredients, try not to over mix it; a few lumps are ok because over working the dough can make your cookies tough instead of chewy.

3. If your dough feels super sticky, put it in the refrigerator for a little bit before you roll it out; it makes handling a lot easier and stops it from sticking to your hands.

4. Keep an eye on your cookies in the oven because every oven is a bit different, so checking a minute or two earlier can save you from accidentally burning them.