Bake the perfect gingerbread cookies this holiday season with this simple recipe. Spiced, chewy, and festive, they’re great for decorating or gifting!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare Dough:
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a larger bowl, cream butter and brown sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy.
- Add molasses, egg, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients until combined.
2. Chill Dough:
- Divide the dough in half, flatten into disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
3. Roll and Cut:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface with a rolling pin to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use festive cookie cutters to cut shapes, and place them on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat.
4. Bake:
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are firm. Let cookies cool completely before decorating with icing or sprinkles.
Tips:
- Chill dough longer for crispier cookies.
- Store baked cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
These gingerbread cookies are a must for any holiday gathering—fun to make and even more fun to eat! 🍪🎅