How to Make Classic Gingerbread Cookies: A Simple Guide
Gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite that many people love. These aromatic and spicy cookies taste delicious, are fun to bake, and can be decorated with icing and sprinkles when they’re done. Whether it’s Christmas, a winter celebration, or just a cozy weekend at home, making gingerbread cookies is always a great idea. The best part? They’re easier to make than you think! In this blog, we’ll walk you through the simple steps to make classic gingerbread cookies from scratch.
What Are Gingerbread Cookies?
Gingerbread cookies are a type of cookie made with spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, along with molasses or honey to give them a rich flavor and dark color. They’re commonly cut into shapes like gingerbread men, stars, or hearts using cookie cutters, but you can get creative with any shape you like.
Now, let’s jump into the process and make some delicious gingerbread cookies!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before you begin, gather these ingredients:
For the Gingerbread Dough:
– 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 2 teaspoons ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– ½ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
– ½ teaspoon salt
– ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
– ½ cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
– ½ cup (120ml) molasses
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Decoration (Optional):
– Icing (store-bought or homemade)
– Sprinkles or candies
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
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Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set this aside. -
Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). -
Add Wet Ingredients:
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix again until everything is fully combined. -
Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix until a thick dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a little more flour (a tablespoon at a time) until it’s easier to handle. -
Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough into two portions, flatten each into a disk, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to roll and cut.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies
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Preheat the Oven:
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. -
Roll Out the Dough:
Once chilled, take one disk of dough out of the fridge. Dust your countertop and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking. Roll the dough out to about ¼-inch thickness. -
Cut Out Shapes:
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes in the dough. Gingerbread men are a classic choice, but stars, trees, hearts, or even circles work great too! Place the shapes onto your prepared baking sheets, leaving a bit of space between each cookie. -
Repeat with Remaining Dough:
Gather the scraps of dough, re-roll them, and cut out more shapes. Repeat with the second portion of dough.
Step 3: Bake the Cookies
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Bake:
Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes. They should puff up slightly and look set, but they’ll still be soft in the center. -
Cool:
Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 4: Decorate (Optional)
Now comes the fun part—decorating! If you like, you can use icing, sprinkles, or candies to make your cookies extra festive. Here’s a simple way to make icing:
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Simple Icing Recipe:
Mix 1 cup (120g) of powdered sugar with a few teaspoons of milk until the icing reaches your desired consistency. Add food coloring if you’d like colorful icing. -
Decorate Your Cookies:
Use a piping bag or spoon to drizzle the icing onto your cookies. Add sprinkles or small candies before the icing sets to make them stick.
Tips for Success
- Don’t skip chilling the dough! It helps the cookies hold their shape during baking.
- Watch the cookies closely in the oven. Gingerbread cookies can overbake quickly. Take them out as soon as the edges look firm.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Final Thoughts
Making classic gingerbread cookies is a fun and rewarding activity for all ages. Whether you enjoy them plain or decorate them with frosting and sprinkles, these cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. Plus, the warm spices will fill your kitchen with a cozy, holiday aroma!
So grab your apron and rolling pin, and start baking your own batch of gingerbread cookies. They’re perfect for sharing with friends, giving as gifts, or enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa.
Happy baking!
