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Gingerbread Cookies: Easy Christmas Recipe for Perfectly Decorated Treats

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These classic gingerbread cookies are soft, chewy, and packed with festive spices. Perfect for Christmas gatherings, cookie swaps, or cozy nights in, they’re easy to make, fun to decorate, and sure to bring holiday cheer to your kitchen.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely grated (optional)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or water (for icing)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for icing, optional)
  • Food coloring (optional, for decorating)
  • Sprinkles, candy pearls, mini chocolate chips (for decorating)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, fresh ginger (if using), cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Beat in the egg, then add molasses and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed. Scrape down the bowl as needed. Dough will be thick and sticky.
  5. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight). For a quick chill, freeze for 30 minutes.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to make shapes. Gather scraps, reroll, and cut more.
  8. Place shapes 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until edges are firm but centers still soft.
  9. Let cookies rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For icing, mix powdered sugar with milk or water and vanilla extract (if using). Adjust liquid for desired thickness.
  11. Once cookies are cool, decorate with icing, sprinkles, candy pearls, or chocolate chips. Let icing set at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

Notes

Chilling the dough is essential for sharp shapes and tender cookies. Roll dough between parchment sheets for easy cleanup. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 flour blend; for vegan, substitute butter and egg. Decorate only after cookies are fully cooled. Store in an airtight container for up to a week or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, decorated cookies, easy gingerbread, festive treats, molasses cookies, kid-friendly, cookie swap, classic gingerbread

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/gingerbread-cookies-easy-christmas-recipe-for-perfectly-decorated-treats/