Gingerbread cookies recipe: Tasty Simple 12-Ingredient Joy

Name: Gingerbread cookies recipe
Prep time: 2 h 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 2 h 23 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature; ⅔ cup packed dark brown sugar; ⅓ cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses; 1 large egg yolk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2¼ cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 2 teaspoons cinnamon; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1 teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon fine sea salt; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; 1 tablespoon milk

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Introduction: Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Welcome to my kitchen, fellow bakers! There is absolutely nothing like the warm, spicy aroma of a gingerbread cookies recipe wafting through the house. It is the best way to know that the holiday season has finally arrived.

I have been baking since I was old enough to stand on a stool to reach the counter. Of all the desserts I have made over the years, this one holds a very special place in my heart. Creating these treats is a tradition that brings families together around a flour-dusted table.

This specific gingerbread cookies recipe is the result of a lot of experimenting. I wanted a cookie that was sturdy enough to hold heavy icing but soft enough to melt in your mouth. Many recipes make cookies that are too hard, but this one is just right.

We are aiming for that perfect “chewy-crisp” balance. This texture makes every bite a delight for kids and adults alike. It is a reliable recipe that works every single time you bake it. If you love classic holiday baking, you might also enjoy making sugar cookies Christmas style to add more variety to your dessert platter.

This gingerbread cookies recipe is perfect for:

Hosting a festive holiday cookie swap.
Creating edible art with your family on a rainy day.
Filling your home with a cozy, sweet scent.

We use simple pantry items like rich molasses and ground ginger to create magic. It is a stress-free way to make unforgettable treats for your loved ones. Are you ready to bake? Let’s get our aprons on and start this gingerbread cookies recipe!

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need: Ingredients for an Amazing Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Before you begin, check your pantry to make sure your spices are fresh. Using high-quality ingredients is the secret to a perfect gingerbread cookies recipe. Fresh spices provide a much deeper flavor profile than those sitting in the back of the cupboard for years.

Gather these items for your bake:

½ cup unsalted butter: Keep this at room temperature so it creams easily.
⅔ cup packed dark brown sugar: This provides a deep, caramel-like sweetness.
⅓ cup unsulphured blackstrap molasses: We recommend the Wholesome brand for rich flavor.
1 large egg yolk: It adds a rich texture and keeps the cookies soft.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: This helps balance the bold spices.
2¼ cups all-purpose flour: Spoon and level your flour for the right consistency.
2 teaspoons cinnamon: This adds that classic holiday warmth.
2 teaspoons ground ginger: The bold star of this gingerbread cookies recipe.
1 teaspoon baking soda: This gives our treats a gentle lift.
½ teaspoon fine sea salt: It perfectly enhances the sweet flavors.
¼ teaspoon ground cloves: A small amount adds a wonderful holiday “zing.”
1 tablespoon milk: Just a splash helps the dough come together.

Baking Bliss: Step-by-Step Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Mixing the Dough

Grab your stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer. Place the softened unsalted butter and dark brown sugar inside the bowl. Cream these two ingredients together on medium speed for about 2 to 3 minutes. You want the mixture for this gingerbread cookies recipe to look light and fluffy.

Next, pour in the molasses, the egg yolk, and the vanilla extract. Mix again until the batter is well combined and looks very smooth. This wet mixture will be dark and fragrant, signaling that your gingerbread cookies recipe is well on its way.

Combining the Dry Ingredients

In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together your flour, cinnamon, and ground ginger. Add the baking soda, salt, and cloves to the mix. Using a whisk is a great trick for a gingerbread cookies recipe. It removes all the lumps and makes sure the spices are spread evenly.

Slowly add these dry ingredients into your wet butter mixture. I like to add about half a cup at a time while mixing on low speed. This prevents a flour cloud from covering your kitchen. If you like colorful doughs, you might find the technique for a pinwheel cookies recipe interesting to learn as well.

Wait until each addition is blended before adding more. Finally, splash in the tablespoon of milk and give it one last mix until a thick dough forms. The dough should be soft but hold together when pressed between your fingers.

Chilling is Key

Chilling is a vital part of any good gingerbread cookies recipe. Form the dough into a large ball, then divide the ball in half with a knife. Flatten each half into a disk that is about 1 inch thick. Wrap both disks tightly in plastic wrap to keep them from drying out.

Put the dough in the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours. This step prevents the cookies from spreading too much when they hit the hot oven. Cold dough is much easier to handle. It will not stick to your hands or the rolling pin as you work with it later.

Rolling and Cutting

When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper so the cookies do not stick. Dust your clean counter with a little bit of flour. Take one disk out of the fridge and roll it out until it is about ¼-inch thick.

Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes. You can make gingerbread men, stars, or even little houses with this gingerbread cookies recipe. Transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets. If the dough gets too warm and sticky, pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes to firm up.

The Perfect Bake

Place one sheet at a time into the oven. Baking one batch at a time ensures that the heat reaches every cookie evenly for a perfect result. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes. You want the edges to be just set, but the centers should still look soft and slightly pale.

This is the secret to a soft gingerbread cookies recipe! They might look a little underdone, but they will firm up perfectly as they cool down. I usually find that 8 minutes is the perfect timing for a 3-inch cookie. The exact time depends on your oven and how soft you like them.

Cooling and Decorating

Let the cookies sit on the hot baking sheet for 5 minutes after they come out. This short rest helps the structure finish setting. Move them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they are cold to the touch, you can go wild with your favorite decorations!

Use white royal icing to draw faces and buttons. You can also add colorful sprinkles or even melted chocolate to this gingerbread cookies recipe. Decorating is the best part of the whole process. It brings everyone together to share in the holiday joy and creative fun.

Hands using a rolling pin on dough for a soft and spicy homemade gingerbread cookies recipe.

Using metal cutters to make shapes for a festive and fun gingerbread cookies recipe on marble.

Chef’s Secrets for the Perfect Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

I have learned many special tricks over the years as a chef. These simple tips will help your gingerbread cookies recipe turn out perfectly every single time you bake. First, let’s talk about measuring your flour correctly. Never scoop your measuring cup directly into the flour bag.

Too much flour makes your cookies dry and crumbly. Instead, spoon the flour into the cup and level it off with a flat knife. This keeps the dough soft. Second, do not skip the chilling step! Chilling allows the flour to soak up the liquid and the flavors to meld. For more expert tips on dough, you can see how other professionals handle spice cookies.

If the dough is cold, it will not stick to your counter. This makes it much easier to use your favorite cookie cutters for this gingerbread cookies recipe. Finally, you can adjust the crunch. For a softer bite, keep the dough 1/4 inch thick. For a classic “snap,” roll it thinner and bake it for one extra minute.

Close-up of iced gingerbread men and snowflakes made using our top-rated gingerbread cookies recipe.

Fun Recipe Variations

One of the best things about a gingerbread cookies recipe is how easy it is to change. You can add new flavors to make these treats your very own. If you want to expand your holiday baking list, you should check out this candy cane cookies recipe for a minty alternative.

Here are a few fun ways to upgrade your next batch of gingerbread:

Chocolate Dipped: Dip half of a cool cookie into melted dark chocolate. Sprinkle a little sea salt on top for a fancy, sweet-and-salty snack.
Orange Zest: Mix the zest of one fresh orange into your butter and sugar. The bright citrus flavor tastes amazing with the warm ginger and cloves.
Extra Spicy: If you like a big “kick,” add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne. This spicy heat really highlights the ginger in this gingerbread cookies recipe.
Gluten-Free: Swap the regular flour for a 1-for-1 gluten-free blend. Make sure it has xanthan gum so the cookies hold their shape while they bake.

Experimenting with these ideas is the best part of holiday baking. Use these tips to put your own creative spin on this classic gingerbread cookies recipe. I can’t wait to see which version becomes your new family favorite!

A Batch of Memories: My Personal Story

Every time I pull a tray of this gingerbread cookies recipe from the oven, I feel like a kid again. I am instantly back in my grandmother’s warm kitchen. I was only seven years old then. I had to stand on a heavy wooden stool just to reach the counter so I could help her.

She always let me be the “official spice mixer.” I loved watching the dusty clouds of cinnamon and ginger fill the air as I stirred. I remember the sticky molasses always seemed to end up on my nose. It was messy work, but it was the best part of my day.

We spent whole afternoons using her favorite metal cookie cutters. We made little men and bright stars using this gingerbread cookies recipe. My favorite job was adding the “buttons.” I used tiny silver candies and white icing to give each gingerbread man a unique personality.

Back then, I did not know anything about the science of baking. I just cared about the happy time we spent together in that kitchen. Now that I am a professional chef, I see things differently. I know the “secret ingredient” in her gingerbread cookies recipe was not just the spices.

The real secret was her endless love and patience. She did not mind the mess I made while we worked on our favorite holiday treats. That is exactly why I want to share this gingerbread cookies recipe with you. I hope it helps you make your own special memories this year.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you keep gingerbread cookies soft?

The best way to keep this gingerbread cookies recipe soft is to watch your timer very closely. You should take the cookies out of the oven while the centers still look slightly soft. They will firm up as they cool on the wire rack.
Once they are cold, store them in an airtight container right away to lock in the moisture. You can even put a small piece of white bread in the container with them. The cookies will stay moist by soaking up the moisture from the bread!

Why do you have to chill gingerbread dough?

You must chill the dough because it is very sticky. This happens because of the warm butter and thick molasses used in the gingerbread cookies recipe. Cold dough is much easier to roll out on your kitchen counter.
Chilling also helps the cookies keep their fun shapes. Without this step, your gingerbread men might spread out and turn into flat puddles in the oven. For more inspiration on shapes and cutouts, check out the resources at Taste of Home.

Can you freeze gingerbread cookie dough?

Yes, you definitely can freeze this dough! Wrap your dough disks in two layers of plastic wrap and one layer of foil to keep them fresh. The dough for this gingerbread cookies recipe stays good in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before you roll it. You can also freeze the baked cookies before you add any icing. This is a great way to get your holiday baking done early and save time during the busy season!

Final Thoughts: Share the Joy

There you have it—my all-time favorite gingerbread cookies recipe! I truly hope you enjoy making these spicy treats as much as I do. Baking is a wonderful journey. Every batch is an opportunity to learn something new and bring a bit of sweetness to the world.

Once your cookies are decorated and ready, do not forget to share the joy! You can package them in pretty tins for your neighbors or set them on a festive platter for your family. There is no better feeling than seeing a friend’s face light up when they take that first sweet bite.

If you try this gingerbread cookies recipe, I would love to hear how it turned out for you. I bet your kitchen smells absolutely amazing right now! Happy baking, and may your holidays be filled with warmth, laughter, and lots of delicious cookies.