Delicious Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Our best gingerbread cookie recipe! These festive treats are soft and warmly spiced, with a rich molasses flavor. Perfect for spreading holiday cheer!
Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Cookies
What could be more festive than gingerbread cookies?! With Christmas just a few weeks away, turning up the holiday cheer starts here. This recipe fills your home with the comforting aromas of cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, making it a delight to bake and enjoy!
These cookies are not just festive; they’re deliciously soft, warmly spiced, and packed with rich molasses flavor, especially delightful when paired with hot chocolate.
Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to create these holiday treats:
| Ingredient | Notes |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Spoon and level to avoid packing too much into your measuring cup. |
| Unsalted butter | Let it reach room temperature before starting. |
| Brown sugar and molasses | For sweetness and rich flavor. Consider Wholesome or Brer Rabbit blackstrap molasses. |
| An egg yolk | Ensures cookies are soft and chewy. |
| Baking soda | Helps the cookies rise. |
| Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves | Gives signature spice flavor. |
| Vanilla extract | Adds warm depth of flavor. |
| Milk | For moisture; regular, almond, or oat milk works well. |
| Sea salt | Enhances all the flavors. |
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
Assemble your ingredients; is your butter at room temperature? This recipe is easy to follow:
- Make the dough: Cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix in the molasses, egg yolk, and vanilla.
- Whisk dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet mixture, adding milk last.
- Chill the dough: Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the first disk to 1/4-inch thick and cut out shapes.
- Bake the cookies: Arrange cut-outs on lined baking sheets and bake in a preheated 350°F oven until edges are set (about 8 minutes). Let cool before transferring to wire racks.
- Decorate or enjoy plain!
Gingerbread Cookie Tips
- Chilling is key: Don’t skip on the chilling time for better dough consistency.
- Adjust baking time: Different sizes and shapes may require varying bake times—typically 8 minutes for a standard 3-inch cookie.
- Have fun decorating: Icing and decorations can enhance the festive spirit!
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Make-ahead option 1: Prepare the dough up to 2 days in advance or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out.
Make-ahead option 2: Cookies stay fresh for up to 5 days in an airtight container at room temperature. They get softer and tastier after a day or two!
More Favorite Christmas Cookies
If you love these gingerbread cookies, explore more festive recipes:
Enjoy baking these festive gingerbread cookies and sharing them with family and friends!