Description
Festive winter magic sparkles through classic Gingerbread Cookies, inviting delightful memories of holiday cheer. Warm spices and sweet molasses create irresistible charm, beckoning families to gather and savor these delectable seasonal treats.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups (384 grams) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (170 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (165 grams) brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup (170 milliliters) molasses
- 1 large egg
Spices:
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Additional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations:
- Royal icing
- Sprinkles or candy decorations
Instructions
- Prepare the foundation by combining the aromatic dry ingredients in a medium mixing vessel, blending flour, ground ginger, warm cinnamon, fragrant cloves, earthy nutmeg, leavening agent, and a pinch of salt until uniformly distributed.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, vigorously cream softened butter with rich brown sugar until the mixture achieves a light, airy consistency, approximately two minutes of consistent beating.
- Introduce deep molasses, a fresh egg, and pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture, stirring until the liquid components seamlessly integrate and create a smooth, cohesive base.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, gently stirring until a soft, pliable dough emerges without overmixing.
- Partition the dough into two equally sized circular discs, encase each in protective plastic wrap, and allow to rest and chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to enhance flavor development and improve texture.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cookie performance.
- On a lightly dusted surface, roll the chilled dough to a delicate 14-inch thickness, ensuring an even and consistent spread.
- Utilize festive cookie cutters to transform the dough into charming gingerbread figures or seasonal shapes, carefully transferring each delicate cut-out to the prepared baking sheet.
- Position the cookie shapes with gentle spacing, allowing room for minimal spreading during the baking process.
- Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, watching for set edges while maintaining a slightly soft center – the hallmark of perfect gingerbread texture.
- Allow the freshly baked cookies to rest on the baking sheet for five minutes, enabling them to firm up slightly before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, embellish with elegant royal icing and playful sprinkles to create a festive and visually delightful treat that captures the spirit of the season.
Notes
- Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and maintain crisp cookie shapes during baking.
- Use fresh ground spices for a more vibrant and intense gingerbread flavor that really makes these cookies pop.
- Room temperature ingredients like butter and egg help create a smoother, more evenly mixed dough that ensures consistent texture.
- For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, which will maintain similar structure and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 19 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg