Spice Up Your Holidays: The Ultimate Collection of Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Quick Overview Section

• Recipe Rating: ★★★★★
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: Serves 12
• Calories: 150 kcal (per cookie)

Introduction

Nothing says “holiday spirit” quite like the scent of gingerbread Baking in the oven. These delicious little cookies not only taste amazing but also evoke fond memories of festive gatherings with loved ones. Personally, I love how versatile gingerbread cookies can be—they can be decorated in endless ways for various occasions or enjoyed plain with a hot cup of cocoa. Plus, they can easily be made vegan or gluten-free, allowing everyone to indulge during the holidays.

Ingredients List

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose Flour (or gluten-free Flour)
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
• 1 large egg (or 1 flax egg as a vegan substitute)
• ½ cup unsulfured molasses
• Optional: Royal icing for decoration

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together Flour, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, Baking soda, and salt.
3. Cream the Butter: In another bowl, cream the butter until smooth. Add the egg and molasses, mixing until well combined.
4. Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a dough forms.
5. Chill Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (this step helps with rolling out).
6. Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
7. Bake: Place cookies on ungreased Baking sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes or until edges are firm.
8. Cool and Decorate: Let cookies cool completely before frosting them with royal icing or enjoying them plain.

Tips and Tricks Section

• Flour Substitute: If you’re making gluten-free cookies, a 1:1 gluten-free Flour blend works best.
• Chilling the Dough: Chilling is crucial for preventing the cookies from spreading too much, leading to a better shape.
• Flavor: For a spicier kick, feel free to increase the amount of ground ginger and other spices to your taste.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Macronutrients:
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Micronutrients:
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 45 mg

Recipe Notes

• Storage: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze cookies in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag.
• Gingerbread cookies can be made ahead of time and will maintain their flavor for days!

5 FAQs

1. How can I store leftover gingerbread cookies?
   Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

2. Can I freeze gingerbread cookies?
   Yes, freeze them in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag to prevent sticking.

3. Can I make this recipe vegan?
   Absolutely! Use coconut oil instead of butter and a flax egg instead of a regular egg.

4. What if my dough is too sticky?
   Add a little more Flour until the dough is manageable, but be careful not to overwork it.

5. How do I make royal icing for decorating?
   Mix powdered sugar with egg whites (or a vegan alternative) until smooth, and adjust the consistency with water as needed.

Please Give Us Your Feedback

We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below, rate the recipe, or share your gingerbread creations on social media with #GingerbreadDelight!

Recipe Card: Gingerbread Cookies

Servings: 12
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose Flour
• ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon Baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (or coconut oil)
• 1 large egg (or 1 flax egg)
• ½ cup unsulfured molasses

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix dry ingredients.
3. Cream the butter and add the egg and molasses.
4. Combine both mixtures into a dough.
5. Chill the dough for 1 hour.
6. Roll out and cut shapes.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
8. Cool and decorate.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 150 kcal
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 6 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 45 mg

Tips and Variations:

• Use different spices for varied flavor.
• Decorate with sprinkles or colored sugar for festive flair.

Storage: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

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