Get ready to transform your kitchen into a holiday wonderland with these irresistible Simple Decorated Gingerbread Cookies that will make your taste buds dance and your home smell like Christmas magic! Whether you're a seasoned baker or a curious novice, these cookies are about to become your new seasonal obsession. Imagine crisp, spicy-sweet cookies adorned with beautiful royal icing designs that will impress everyone from family gatherings to festive cookie exchanges.
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- Royal icing for decoration
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and equipment: mixing bowls, electric mixer, measuring cups and spoons, baking sheets, parchment paper, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and cooling rack.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until well combined and no lumps remain. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the egg to the butter mixture and beat until fully incorporated. Pour in molasses and mix until the batter is smooth and uniform in color.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Stop mixing as soon as ingredients are combined to prevent overworking the dough.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop and dough to firm up.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Remove dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
- Carefully transfer cut cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and cookies are set but not darkened.
- Remove from oven and let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Once cookies are completely cool, prepare royal icing according to recipe instructions.
- Decorate cookies using royal icing, piping bags, and various decorating techniques like flooding, outlining, or creating detailed designs.
- Allow icing to set completely at room temperature, which may take 1-2 hours depending on humidity and icing thickness.
- Store decorated cookies in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper at room temperature for up to one week.
Tips
- • Chill the dough thoroughly: This is crucial for preventing cookies from spreading and maintaining crisp, defined shapes.• Use fresh spices: Ensure your ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are less than 6 months old for maximum flavor intensity.• Don't overwork the dough: Mix just until ingredients are combined to keep cookies tender.• Roll dough to consistent thickness: Use rolling pin rings or wooden dowels to ensure even 1/4 inch thickness.• Let cookies cool completely before decorating: This prevents icing from melting and ensures clean, precise designs.• Room temperature ingredients blend better: Take butter, egg, and molasses out 30 minutes before mixing.• Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect cookie release.• Experiment with different cookie cutter shapes to keep things fun and festive!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
