Gingerbread Cookies

This is my favorite Gingerbread Cookie recipe. A classic Christmas cookie recipe spiced perfectly and sweetened by brown sugar and molasses ready for you to frost. This cookie recipe will definitely become a tradition in your family.

I love making Gingerbread Cookies. The reason I love making them is, it is so much fun decorating them and making them with my kids.

While for this recipe I just use a classic Gingerbread Man cookie cutter, you can use a variety of cookie cutters for this recipe and have a ton of decorating all the different cookie shapes we make.

History of Gingerbread:

Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday tradition that believe it or not has been around since the ancient Greek and Egyptian times.

Recipes and records tell of a ginger bread like cookie being made all that way back to around 2400 BC. The recipe honestly has not change much since back then. Luckily ovens have and we can make a nice soft cookie.

I imagine the ones from that long ago were very hard and stiff.

One of the earliest recipes of a “gingerbread” was made with ground almonds, breadcrumbs, water, sugar, and ginger. It was then decorated with a white glaze.

How to make Gingerbread Cookies:

We’ve definitely made some improvements to the recipe from way back when, but the essence is still there.

A treat spiced by ginger and sweetened with icing or glaze is exactly what has been being made for hundreds of years.

Mix your wet and dry ingredients separately and then mix together.

Ingredient Notes:

• All-Purpose Flour
• Brown Sugar – sweetens the cookies perfectly.
• Baking Soda – helps keep the cookies light.
• Salt
• Ground Ginger – you don’t have Gingerbread without ginger!
• Ground Cinnamon – one of the four key spices for gingerbread.
• Ground Cloves – another one of the key spices for gingerbread.
• Ground Nutmeg – nutmeg is a great spice that is essential for gingerbread.
• Unsalted Butter
• Egg
• Molasses – a key ingredient for gingerbread cookies.

Directions:

Step One – Using a medium bowl whisk all of your dry ingredients.

Step Two – In a large bowl cream the butter with the sugar with a hand electric mixer until fluffy.

Once fluffy add in the egg and then the molasses.

Step Three – Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.

I add it in small amount mixing then adding more.

Do this until the dough comes together.

Step Four – Divide the dough into two, and on two trays lined with parchment paper roll each ball of dough until they are extended at 1⁄4 inch thick.

Step Five – Place in the fridge to chill for at least an hour.

Step Six – Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and line two baking trays with parchment paper.

Step Seven – With your rolled out dough, cut your gingerbread men and place on baking sheets.

Step Eight – Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are slightly golden.

Allow them cool completely before you begin decorating with icing.

How to make Gingerbread Cookie Icing:

Mixing your icing is a very fun and tasty part about making these cookies. Let the kids help, have some fun, and get ready to have the best decorating contest you have ever had!

Ingredient Notes:

• Powdered Sugar -the main base for making icing.
• Vanilla
• Milk (2% or Whole Milk) – I typically use 2% milk.
• Corn Syrup – helps thicken the icing up.
• Optional – Food Coloring to dye the icing for decorating.

Directions:

Step One – Whisk powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and corn syrup in a small mixing bowl until perfectly combined.

Step Two – Add the icing to a plastic bag, and cut the edge but make sure it’s tiny so you get a more defined decoration. Allow to dry then serve.

Tips and Tricks for a Great Gingerbread Cookie:

1. Do not overbake – There is nothing worse than taking a bite out of a hard gingerbread cookie. I do not enjoy a hard gingerbread cookie. If you forget about them in the oven, you may come out with hard cookies.
2. Use a variety of cookie cutters – While a Gingerbread Man is the most classic gingerbread shape, try some other fun and festive cookie cutters. Here is a great set of holiday cookie cutters!
3. Have fun with decorating – Use multi-colored icing, frosting, sprinkles, and candies. Have fun making your Gingerbread Men.

Why I love this recipe:

• It is super easy to make – This recipe does not require a ton of ingredients or a ton of work. I love how simple it all comes together.
• Wonderful flavors to savor – The spices of ginger and nutmeg sweetened by molasses taste so amazing together. Once baked top if off with some icing, and this treat becomes amazing.
• A great way to spread some Christmas Cheer – I love making a ton of these and bringing plates to my neighbors and friends. A plate of fresh homemade cookies will always brighten up anyone’s day.

Try some of my other Holiday Recipes:

Gingerbread Loaf – This Gingerbread Loaf is packed with my favorite Christmas flavor and then topped with a simple homemade vanilla frosting. The perfect pair and a must bake for this Christmas season. This is a great bread to make and take to the next family gathering or office Christmas Party.

Grinch Rice Krispie Treats – Classic Rice Krispie Treats with a sweet How the Grinch Stole Christmas twist. You will love these candy coated Grinch Rice Krispies inspired by the classic movie.

Mint Chocolate Andes Cookies – Mint chocolate has always been my favorite and these awesome Mint Chocolate Andes Cookies don’t disappoint. They are some of my favorite cookies and a recipe you have to try soon. This Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe is easy to make for a great treat!

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