Gingerbread Cookies

This soft and chewy Gingerbread Cookie recipe is so simple, delicious and adorable! Made in one bowl take less than an hour to make. These have been so much fun to make each year with kids during Christmas time!

Unlike other gingerbread cookie recipes, these are my go-to recipe because the dough only needs to chill for about 30 minutes (so the butter can firm up and prevent spreading while baking) before rolling out the dough. There is nothing sadder than taking the time to make homemade cut-out cookies and having the dough spread so much in the oven you can't even tell what the design of the cookies was. This recipe does not spread AT ALL.

These have no-crunch to them, perfectly soft and don't taste like cardboard.

You can decorate these cookies exactly how you want. I love to leave some plain because we love the taste of them without icing or frosting. Because these are a soft and chewy version, not a gingersnap, they don't dry out quickly.

Decorating Options:

• Royal Icing (best for decorating).

• Glaze Icing (best tasting and easiest - recipe listed below).

• Buttercream frosting (richest).

What is Gingerbread anyway?

It's a mixture of warm spices and molasses. A mix of sweetness with a touch of warmth.

Key Ingredients:

• Unsalted butter (softened). Enhances the chewiness of the cookies.

• Brown sugar. Instead of granulated white sugar to make extra moist.

• Molasses. This gives the cookies their signature "gingerbread" flavor. You can't make these without this ingredient.

Recipe: Gingerbread Cookies

Prep Time: 30 min Cook Time: 8 min

Chill time: 30 min Servings: 18-24 (depending on size of cookie cutters)

Ingredients:

• 1 Cup butter, softened

• 1 Cup brown sugar, packed

• 1 Cup Molasses, I like Grandma's brand (do not use blackstrap)

• 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

• 4 Cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 Tablespoon ginger

• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

For Glaze Icing:

• 2 Cups powdered sugar

• 6-7 tablespoons milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 pinch salt

Instructions:

• In a large bowl or stand mixer, add 1 Cup (two sticks) softened butter. Beat the butter for about 1 minute, scraping the sides, until it is smooth and creamy.

• Add 1 Cup brown sugar. Beat the butter and sugar together for another 1 minute, scraping the sides, until it is light and fluffy.

• Add 1 Cup molasses.

• Add 1 Tablespoon vanilla and beat until incorporated.

• Add the dry ingredients. Mix the dry ingredients into the dough on the lowest speed of your hand mixer until it comes together. I like to switch to mixing with a wooden spoon to fully incorporate the flour without over mixing.

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes. Divide the dough into 2-4 balls and wrap with plastic wrap, place in the fridge for 30 minutes. The goal is to have a firm dough that is not too sticky to roll out. Dividing the dough into sections makes it much more manageable with a rolling pin, or to give each person their own dough ball.

• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface. The dough may seem crumbly at first, keep working the rolling pin from the middle out. Roll the dough to about 3/8 inch thickness.

• Cut the cookies. Pro tip: dip your cookie cutter in flour first to prevent sticking.

• Place cookies on parchment lined cookie sheets with 2" of space between.

• Optional step: Chill cookies again for 10 minutes. This can be done if your house is very warm or the dough was handled a lot (usually by tiny hands playing with it more).

• Bake in the oven at 350F for 8-11 minutes. Timing really depends on thickness of cookies.

• Take the cookies out when the centers are no longer shiny. Check at 6-7 minutes to be sure not to over bake. Leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for about 5 minutes to finish "setting" before moving a cooling rack.

• Once completely cool, enjoy decorating them! Turn on some Christmas music, pour a glass of milk and enjoy with our loved ones.

If you enjoyed this recipe, I would love to hear about it! Tag me on instagram @9MaplesFarmMarket to share.