It’s just doesn’t feel like Christmas without gingerbread cookies. I look forward to making these every year. There’s nothing better than smelling the spicy-sweet goodness of these cookies baking in the oven while decorating the tree and listening to the N’sync Christmas album (that last part might just be me…?) Any who, no matter what shape and decoration style you choose, this recipe for classic gingerbread cookies will provide the perfect base to get you there.
You will need:
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup molasses
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups A.P. flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Directions:
Mix butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer until you see a fluffy consistency. Add the egg, molasses and vanilla. Continue to mix until well combined, about 1-2 minutes.
In a separate medium sized bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together (flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients into the stand mixer bowl with the wet ingredients and mix until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to over mix.
Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each half in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. You can also make the dough the night before and chill overnight.
When you're ready to bake your cookies:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
Take dough out of refrigerator and place on a lightly floured surface. Roll out to about 1/4” thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes and place about 1 1/2” apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 7-8 minutes
Remove from oven and let cool on sheets for a couple of minutes before moving to a cooling rack.
Once they have completed cooled, decorate your classic gingerbread cookies any way you like!
