Description
Soft Gingerbread Cookies made with cozy spices like ginger and cinnamon, baked to a perfectly chewy texture. These classic holiday cookies are easy to make from scratch and fun to decorate with homemade icing. Great for gifting, parties, or festive baking with the family.
Ingredients
Cookies:
1 cup butter (room temperature)
¾ cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2¼ cups all-purpose flour
Icing:
2 tablespoons meringue powder
4 cups powdered sugar
½ cup water (add gradually)
Instructions
Start by making sure your butter is at room temperature for smooth mixing. Measure all your spices and dry ingredients to streamline the process once you start baking.
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving that tender cookie texture.
Add the molasses and vanilla to the mixture, followed by the eggs. Mix on medium-low speed until well combined. The mixture may look slightly separated at this stage, but that’s completely normal.
Add in the baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These aromatic spices infuse the dough with a warm, traditional holiday taste that’s hard to resist.
Slowly add the flour, mixing just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies dense instead of soft and chewy.
Use a cookie scoop to form uniform dough balls and place them on a baking sheet. Lightly press each one to flatten slightly so they bake evenly.
Preheat your oven to 375°F and bake the cookies for 9 to 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are set but the centers are still soft.
After removing the cookies from the oven, transfer them to a wire rack. Let them cool completely so the icing won’t melt or smudge when applied.
In a clean stand mixer bowl with the whisk attachment, combine the meringue powder and powdered sugar. Gradually add water, about ¼ cup at a time, until the icing reaches a spreadable consistency. Whip on high for 10 to 20 seconds.
Use a piping bag fitted with a Wilton #3 tip to pipe festive designs, words, or patterns onto your cooled cookies. Get creative and make them your own.
Notes
Use room temperature butter for smooth dough and fluffy texture.
Avoid overbaking to keep cookies soft and chewy.
For thinner icing, add water a little at a time until desired consistency.
Cookies can be made ahead and frozen undecorated for up to 3 months.
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container with parchment between layers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes Additional Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 233
- Sugar: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 3g