These Soft Gingerbread Cookies are perfectly spiced, rich in molasses flavor, and have a delightfully chewy texture. They’re soft, thick, and stay fresh for days, making them perfect for holiday baking, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Whether you decorate them with icing or enjoy them plain, these cookies will become a seasonal favorite!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ⅔ cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined.
2. Combine & Chill:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with milk, until a soft dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour (or overnight for deeper flavor).
3. Roll & Cut:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Lightly flour a surface and roll out the dough to ¼-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread shapes.
4. Bake:
- Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Let cookies cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
5. Decorate & Serve:
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
- Enjoy with hot cocoa, coffee, or milk!
Tips for Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
✔ Chill the Dough: This helps keep the cookies from spreading too much.
✔ Molasses Choice: Use dark molasses for a deep, rich flavor (avoid blackstrap molasses, as it’s too bitter).
✔ Adjust Softness: For extra soft cookies, bake for 8 minutes; for a firmer texture, bake closer to 10 minutes.
Leave a Comment