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gingerbread cookie recipe soft baked rustic holiday scene

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

This soft gingerbread cookie recipe is perfect for Christmas baking. Full of warm spices and rich molasses, these cookies are easy to roll, decorate, and gift. Make them ahead and freeze for a stress-free holiday season.
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Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Resting time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 24 Cookies
Course: Cookies, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup Unsalted butter Melted
  • ¾ cup Brown sugar Packed
  • ⅔ cup Molasses Unsulfured for best flavor
  • 1 Egg Room temp
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract Optional
  • 3 cups All-purpose flour Plus extra for rolling
  • 1 tbsp Ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp Cinnamon
  • ½ tsp Ground cloves
  • ½ tsp Nutmeg
  • ½ tsp Baking soda
  • ½ tsp Salt

Equipment

  • 1 Rolling Pin For rolling chilled dough evenly
  • 1 Mixing Bowl Large size preferred
  • 1 Cookie Cutters Gingerbread men, stars, etc.
  • 2 Baking Sheets Lined with parchment
  • 1 Wire Rack For cooling
  • 1 Plastic Wrap For wrapping dough during chilling

Method
 

  1. Instruction Group: Make the Dough
  2. In a large bowl, melt the butter (in microwave or saucepan).
  3. Whisk in brown sugar and molasses until smooth.
  4. Let mixture cool slightly, then beat in egg and vanilla.
  5. Stir in flour, spices, baking soda, and salt until dough forms.
  6. Divide into two disks, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  7. Instruction Group: Roll, Cut, and Bake
  8. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  9. Roll dough on a floured surface to ¼ inch thick.
  10. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.
  11. Place cookies on baking sheet, spaced 1 inch apart.
  12. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until edges are set but centers still soft.
  13. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool fully.
  14. Instruction Group: Decorate (Optional)
  15. Decorate with royal icing, sugar glaze, or candy as desired.
  16. Let icing dry completely before storing or stacking.

Notes

Storage: Keep in airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 2 months.
Flavor Boost: Add orange zest or swap in maple syrup for a twist.
Make-Ahead Tip: Dough can chill up to 4 days before baking.