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Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

4.7 from 665 reviews

These classic Gingerbread Cookies are soft, warmly spiced treats perfect for the holiday season. Made with a blend of molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cookies have a rich, aromatic flavor and a tender bite. Coated with granulated sugar before baking, they develop a slight crispness on the outside while remaining chewy inside. Ideal for festive gatherings or as a cozy homemade gift.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 stick plus 1 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ tbsp dark molasses
  • 1 egg

Dry Ingredients

  • 1⅓ cups light brown soft sugar
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • 1¾ cups plus 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • 1½ tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

Coating

  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, dark molasses, light brown soft sugar, and fine sea salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  2. Add Egg: Crack the egg into the bowl and beat it into the butter and molasses mixture until fully incorporated and creamy.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon thoroughly.
  4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, beating until a consistent dough forms. Avoid overmixing to maintain tenderness.
  5. Refrigerate Dough: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for 1 hour to firm up, making it easier to handle and shape.
  6. Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (gas mark 6) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prepare for baking.
  7. Shape and Coat Cookies: Divide the chilled dough into 20 even-sized balls. Roll each ball in the granulated sugar to coat completely, then place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 9-10 minutes until they turn golden brown around the edges.
  9. Cool: Remove the baking sheets from the oven and transfer the cookies to a cooling rack. Allow them to cool fully before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For best results, weigh the dough balls to ensure even baking and consistent cookie size.
  • Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
  • These cookies can be decorated with icing or additional toppings once cooled for a festive touch.
  • If you prefer crisper cookies, bake an additional 1-2 minutes, but watch carefully to avoid burning.

Keywords: Gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies, molasses cookies, spiced cookies, Christmas baking