Classic spiced gingerbread treats (Printable Version)

Soft, spiced cookies featuring molasses and warm ginger flavors, ideal for festive decorating.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
04 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

09 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For Rolling

14 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar (optional)

→ For Decorating

15 - Royal icing or simple glaze
16 - Colored sprinkles (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
02 - Beat softened butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes, using an electric mixer.
03 - Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated to form a soft dough.
05 - Divide dough into two discs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared sheets and optionally sprinkle with granulated sugar.
09 - Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are just firm. Allow cooling on sheets for 2 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
10 - Once completely cooled, decorate cookies with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These cookies stay soft inside with just enough chew to make you reach for another without thinking about it.
  • The spice blend is warm and honest, not harsh or overwhelming like some gingerbread can be.
  • You get to decorate them however you want, which somehow makes the eating part feel like a celebration.
02 -
  • Molasses is hygroscopic, meaning it pulls moisture from the air, so these cookies actually get softer as they sit. If you want them crispier, bake them an extra minute and eat them sooner.
  • The difference between soft and tough gingerbread cookies is about 30 seconds of overbaking, so watch them carefully in those final minutes.
03 -
  • If your dough seems too soft to roll, it probably needs more chilling time. Patience here prevents frustration and misshapen cookies.
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more evenly and incorporate air better, which is why creaming butter and sugar works so much better than cold butter.
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