Oh, the magic of holiday baking! There’s something incredibly special about filling the kitchen with the warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread cookies. I remember making these *easy gingerbread cookies* with my family every December, our hands dusted with flour and laughter filling the air. It’s such a joy to roll out the dough and cut out festive shapes, letting creativity run wild. The best part? Sharing these delicious treats with loved ones, adorned with icing and sprinkles. Trust me, once you’ve made these cookies, they’ll become a holiday tradition you’ll cherish for years to come!
Ingredients for Easy Gingerbread Cookies
- 2 1/4 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
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
How to Prepare Easy Gingerbread Cookies
Preheat and Prepare
First, let’s get that oven preheated! Set it to 350°F (175°C) and while that’s heating up, grab your baking sheets and line them with parchment paper. This will keep the cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Trust me, you want to make this as easy as possible!
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined—you want those spices evenly distributed so every bite is full of flavor! It’s like a warm hug in cookie form, and the smell is just divine!
Cream Butter and Sugars
Now, in a large bowl, cream the softened butter and both sugars until it’s light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture is pale and has a nice airy texture. This step is crucial for that perfect cookie texture!
Combine Ingredients
Next, beat in the egg and molasses until everything is well mixed. Then, gradually add your dry ingredients to this mixture. I like to do this in three parts, mixing just until combined after each addition. You don’t want to overmix here—just enough to bring it all together!
Shape and Bake
Time to get rolling! Scoop out about a tablespoon of dough and roll it into a ball. Place the balls on your prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches between them. They’ll spread a bit while baking! Pop them in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You want them to look set and just slightly firm to the touch. Let them cool on a wire rack, and try not to eat them all at once—they’re irresistible!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy to whip up, perfect for last-minute holiday baking.
- Filled with warm spices that create an inviting aroma in your kitchen.
- Soft and chewy texture that melts in your mouth!
- Great for decorating with fun icing and sprinkles—get the kids involved!
- Yields a generous batch, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
- These cookies freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them long after the holidays!
Tips for Success
To ensure your *easy gingerbread cookies* turn out perfectly every time, here are some of my top tips:
- Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are at room temperature before starting. This helps everything blend seamlessly and creates a nice, fluffy dough!
- Chill the dough: If you have time, refrigerate the dough for about 30 minutes before rolling. This helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and enhances the flavors.
- Measure accurately: When it comes to baking, precision is key. Use a kitchen scale if you have one, or make sure to level off your measuring cups for the flour and sugars.
- Don’t overbake: Check the cookies at the 8-minute mark. They should look set but still soft in the center. They’ll firm up as they cool, so it’s better to underbake slightly than to risk them becoming too hard.
- Experiment with spices: If you love a particular spice, don’t hesitate to tweak the amounts or add a splash of your favorite flavors. Cardamom or nutmeg can give a unique twist!
Follow these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to making gingerbread cookies that everyone will rave about!
Nutritional Information
Here’s the scoop on the nutritional content of each of these *easy gingerbread cookies*! Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes:
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
These cookies are a delightful treat, and while they’re not a health food, they pack a warm, spicy flavor that’s totally worth it during the holiday season! Enjoy them in moderation, and share the joy with friends and family!
FAQ Section
Can I use different spices?
Absolutely! One of the joys of making these *easy gingerbread cookies* is that you can customize them with your favorite spices. If you’re a fan of cardamom, add a pinch for a fragrant twist. Nutmeg is another great option that complements the ginger and cinnamon beautifully. Just remember, each spice brings its own unique flavor, so feel free to experiment and find your perfect blend!
How should I store the cookies?
To keep your cookies fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay good for about a week, but trust me, they probably won’t last that long! If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze the cookies. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper and seal them in a freezer bag. They’ll be ready for a tasty treat later on!
Can I decorate these cookies?
Oh, definitely! Decorating your gingerbread cookies is half the fun! You can use royal icing for a classic look, or even simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Get creative with sprinkles, edible glitter, or colorful candies. Let the kids unleash their inner artists—it’s a wonderful way to make sweet memories together!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your *easy gingerbread cookies* fresh and delicious, storing them properly is key! Once your cookies have cooled completely, place them in an airtight container. They’ll stay soft and tasty at room temperature for about a week—though I bet they’ll disappear much sooner than that!
If you want to save some for later, you can freeze them! Just layer the cookies between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking, and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. No need to reheat—just bite into that deliciousness!
And if you prefer warm cookies, pop them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-7 minutes to warm them up. They’ll be just like fresh out of the oven—soft, chewy, and oh-so-good!
Drucken
Easy Gingerbread Cookies: 5 Steps to Holiday Bliss
- Gesamtzeit: 25 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 cookies 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Easy gingerbread cookies recipe for the holidays.
Zutaten
- 2 1/4 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
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
Anweisungen
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until fluffy.
- Add egg and molasses; mix well.
- Gradually add dry ingredients; mix until combined.
- Roll dough into balls and place on baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on wire rack.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- You can decorate with icing if desired.
- Dough can be refrigerated for up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 10 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 cookie
- Kalorien: 120
- Zucker: 8g
- Natrium: 50mg
- Fett: 5g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 3g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 17g
- Faser: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterin: 15mg
Keywords: gingerbread, cookies, holiday cookies
