Easy Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1 cbutter)
2 sticks, at room temperature (salted or unsalted
- 1 cgranulated white sugar
220 grams
- 1egg
- 1 clight or dark molasses)
do not use blackstrap or cooking molasses (325 grams
- 2 tbspwhite vinegar
22 grams
- 5 call-purpose flour
625 grams
- 1 ½ tspbaking soda
9 grams
- ½ tspsalt
3 grams
- 2 tspground ginger
3 grams
- 1 tspground cinnamon
2 grams
- 1 tspground cloves
3 grams
Directions
- 1
Add the butter and sugar to a large bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer) and beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, about three minutes, using a hand mixer or the paddle attachment on your stand mixer. Scrape down the sides as few times as needed.
- 2
Add the egg, molasses, and vinegar. Beat to combine well. The mixture will look a bit curdled.
- 3
Add the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to the bowl and mix to combine well. The dough should come together when you press it in your hands and shouldn't be crumbly. If anything it'll still be a little tacky to the touch. That's ok.
- 4
Divide the dough into two even pieces, wrap each piece of dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 90 minutes. Don't skip this step, it helps the cookies to keep their shape.
- 5
When the dough is done chilling, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Working in sections, roll the dough to 1/2 inch thick on a floured surface; cut into desired shapes.
- 6
Place shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking mat. Gather and reroll "scraps" of dough as needed, using all of the dough.
- 7
Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the pan for 5 minutes, and then move to a cooling rack.
- 8
Repeat with remaining dough.
- 9
Leave plain or decorate (here are 6 Simple Ways to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies if you are looking for some inspo).
Easy Soft Gingerbread Cookies
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About this Recipe
Craving that classic holiday comfort in cookie form? These Easy Soft Gingerbread Cookies deliver unbelievably tender texture and the perfect balance of warm spices, making them ideal for shaping into festive gingerbread men or simple rounds for decorating.
What sets these gingerbread cookies apart is their guaranteed softness, a delightful contrast to often-crisp store-bought versions. The dough's make-ahead friendly nature is a game-changer for holiday baking, allowing you to spread out the fun and enjoy freshly baked treats whenever the craving strikes.
Prepare for a truly comforting experience. Each bite of these soft gingerbread cookies offers a sweet, aromatic warmth from ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, with a delicate chewiness that practically melts in your mouth. They're robust enough to hold their shape perfectly for decorating yet tender enough to be utterly irresistible, with a rich flavor profile enhanced by molasses.
Customization & Variations
For the signature flavor, ensure you use light or dark molasses, specifically avoiding blackstrap or cooking molasses for the best results. Feel free to use either salted or unsalted butter; just be mindful of your overall salt addition if using salted butter. You can also adjust the amounts of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves to tweak the spice intensity to your personal preference, making them milder or bolder.
These delightful cookies are perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying with a warm cup of tea or coffee on a chilly evening. They're a festive canvas ready for your favorite royal icing, simple sugar glaze, or just a sprinkle of granulated sugar.