Ingredients:
For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
For Icing and Decoration (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring (if desired)
- Sprinkles, colored sugars, or candy for decoration
Instructions:
For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough:
1. Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar:
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add Molasses and Egg:
- Add the molasses and the egg to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until well combined.
4. Gradually Add Dry Ingredients:
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Divide and Chill:
- Divide the dough into two equal portions. Flatten each portion into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.
To Bake Gingerbread Cookies:
6. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
- On a floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut Shapes:
- Use gingerbread cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Transfer the shapes to the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
9. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the edges of the cookies are slightly firm and the centers are set.
10. Cool:
- Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.
For Icing and Decoration (Optional):
11. Prepare Icing:
- In a bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk to make a smooth, thick icing. If desired, add food coloring for different colors.
12. Decorate:
- Once the cookies have cooled, use the icing to decorate as desired. You can also add sprinkles, colored sugars, or candies for extra decoration.
13. Let the icing set, and your gingerbread cookies are ready to enjoy! These cookies are a holiday favorite, perfect for sharing or gifting.
Enjoy your homemade gingerbread cookies! They’re a delightful holiday treat and a fun baking activity for the whole family.