Here is my favorite gingerbread cookies recipe and one of the most popular Christmas cookie recipes on this website. Soft in the centers, crisp on the edges, perfectly spiced, molasses and brown sugar-sweetened holiday goodness.
Whenever I think of Christmas cookies, gingerbread cookies come to mind first. Well, after Christmas sugar cookies of course! Their spice, their molasses flavor, their SMILES, and their charm are obviously irresistible. Gingerbread cookies, you have my heart.
The dough is soft and sticky when you first mix it together. Chilling it for at least 2 hours gives it a chance to firm up so that you can easily roll it out. The cut-outs also hold their shape better when baked.
Key Ingredients in Gingerbread Cookies
The full written recipe is below, but let’s review a few key ingredients here first. Gingerbread cookie recipes all start the same and mine comes from my mom. To her recipe, I add a little more molasses and increase the amount of spice flavors (cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice). Because of the added sticky sweetener (molasses), I add a little more flour to help soak it all up. Just like when we are making pinwheel cookies, a bit of extra flour helps the cookies can keep their shape.
- Molasses + spices for flavor
- Egg so the gingerbread cookies have structure and richness
- Brown sugar instead of white granulated sugar. I always use brown sugar when its flavor fits.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
Let’s walk through the gingerbread cookie recipe so you feel confident when you begin baking.
Chill the dough: The dough is sticky once it’s all beaten together in your mixing bowl and therefore, it absolutely MUST be chilled for at least 3 hours. Give yourself enough time in the kitchen or make the cookie dough and chill it overnight. You want your cookie dough firm so the cookies hold their shape and you want your cookie dough manageable so you can work with it. You won’t have either unless you have chilled cookie dough!
Wrap up the dough: It’s easiest to wrap the dough in plastic wrap before chilling. Scoop out 1/2 of the prepared cookie dough, plop it onto a long sheet of plastic wrap, wrap it up, and flatten it out into a disc. Repeat with the other 1/2 of dough. Then chill. See that photo above? That’s what you’re doing, but you’ll have 2 discs. Why are you doing this? It’s easier to roll out the chilled cookie dough when it is in a disc shape. Also, the cookie dough chills faster when there is less volume. And it’s just easier to work with smaller portions when rolling/shaping!
Roll it out: After chilling, roll out the chilled cookie dough discs until about 1/4-inch thick. Don’t be afraid to flour your hands, rolling pin, work surface, and everything in the world. By that, I mean: the cookie dough can become sticky as you work. So, don’t be scared to add more flour to the work surface. The flour spots on top of your shaped cookie dough will bake off.
Place the cut-out cookies onto a lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart. The cookies won’t really spread, but you want to make sure they have enough room to breathe. They are gingerbread people, after all.
GINGERBREAD COOKIES | gingerbread man recipe
FAQ
Why do you need to chill gingerbread dough?
How long should gingerbread dough rest?
Does gingerbread harden when cooling?
How do you make gingerbread cookie dough less sticky?
Why is my gingerbread dough so warm?
Warm dough can be caused by various factors, such as warm kitchen temperatures or handling the dough for too long. When gingerbread dough gets warm, the butter starts to soften, leading to stickiness. Also, warm dough is challenging to work with as it tends to stick to surfaces and your hands.
What is the effect of ginger on cold?
Numerous properties are attributed to ginger. Among them is its anti-inflammatory and expectorant power that could help to improve certain symptoms during a cold. However, more scientific evidence is needed to prove its therapeutic use. It is important to note that it does not replace in any way the prescribed medication.
How do I prevent warm dough from ruining my gingerbread baking experience?
To prevent warm dough from ruining your gingerbread baking experience, try the following tips: Chill the dough: After mixing the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before rolling and shaping. This helps to firm up the dough and reduces stickiness.
Why do gingerbread cookies need to be cooled before baking?
So, when you bake your cookies, the fat is going to remain solid longer, which in turn helps your gingerbread men and women keep their shapes. And to take the science of cooking a little further, they explain that the sugar also soaks up the liquid ingredients while it is chilling in the frig which also slows the spread.