Baking gingerbread cookies with my grandma is one of my fondest childhood memories. I can still smell the warm, spicy aroma wafting through her cozy kitchen as we mixed the dough and rolled out the perfect little gingerbread men. The ritual of carefully decorating each cookie with her homemade icing was always such a special bonding experience. As I got older, that tradition continued, and now I love passing down the recipe for Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing to my own family. There’s just something so comforting and nostalgic about those classic holiday flavors that makes them an absolute must-bake every single year.
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Why This Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
This Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing recipe is the perfect combination of chewy, spicy, and sweet. The secret lies in the precise balance of molasses, brown sugar, and aromatic spices that create an incredibly flavorful dough. And the simple icing on top adds a beautiful finishing touch that complements the gingerbread so well. Once you try this recipe, it’ll become your go-to for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or anytime you’re craving those cozy winter flavors.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Flour: All-purpose flour is the base for the gingerbread cookie dough, providing structure and chewiness.
- Butter: Unsalted butter adds rich flavor and a tender texture.
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar lends deep caramel notes.
- Molasses: This thick, robust syrup is the star of the show, giving the cookies their signature gingerbread taste.
- Eggs: Eggs bind the dough together and create a soft, cake-like interior.
- Spices: A blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg provides the classic gingerbread spice profile.
- Vanilla Extract: Just a touch of vanilla enhances the other flavors.
- Powdered Sugar: For the simple icing topping.
- Milk: A small amount of milk thins out the icing to the perfect drizzling consistency.
Step-by-Step Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing Instructions
Preparing Your Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
This Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing recipe is surprisingly easy to make, with just about 30 minutes of active prep time. You’ll need a few basic baking tools like a stand mixer, rolling pin, cookie cutters, and baking sheets. Let’s dive right in!
1- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Then beat in the eggs and molasses until well incorporated.
2- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms.
3- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This helps the dough firm up for easier rolling and cutting.
4- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
5- Bake the Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are just starting to turn golden brown. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
6- While the cookies are cooling, make the simple icing by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and pourable. Drizzle or pipe the icing over the cooled gingerbread cookies and let it set before serving.
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing is to not overbake them. Keep a close eye on the cookies in the oven and remove them as soon as the edges start to brown. Underbaked cookies will have a wonderfully soft, chewy texture.
Another tip is to let the dough chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the dough hold its shape better and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Finally, be generous with the spices! The ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are what give gingerbread its signature flavor, so don’t be shy with those aromatic additions.
Serving and Storing Your Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
Perfect Pairings for Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing are a classic holiday treat that pair beautifully with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, apple cider, or a glass of milk. They also make a wonderful addition to any Christmas cookie platter or dessert table. For a fun twist, you can even crumble them over vanilla ice cream or serve them alongside a tangy lemon or orange-flavored dessert to balance out the spiciness.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing keep incredibly well, making them the perfect make-ahead holiday treat. Once the cookies are completely cooled and the icing has set, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Simply place the undecorated cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, then thaw at room temperature before icing and serving.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
Creative Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing Variations
While the classic Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing are hard to beat, you can easily put your own spin on this recipe. Try cutting the dough into fun holiday shapes like trees, stars, or snowflakes. You can also add a bit of orange zest or a splash of brandy or rum to the dough for a boozy twist. For an extra festive touch, top the iced cookies with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or edible glitter.
Making Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing Diet-Friendly
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use dairy-free butter and plant-based milk in the icing. And to reduce the carbs, you can replace some of the brown sugar with granulated erythritol or monk fruit sweetener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of regular molasses?
A: Absolutely! Blackstrap molasses has a deeper, more robust flavor that works beautifully in gingerbread. Just keep in mind that it’s a bit stronger, so you may want to use a little less than the recipe calls for.
Q: How long do the cookies need to chill before rolling and cutting?
A: I recommend chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes, but up to 2 hours is even better. This helps the dough firm up and prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Q: Can I freeze the baked and iced cookies?
A: Yes, the baked and iced Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing freeze very well for up to 3 months. Just be sure to let them thaw completely at room temperature before serving.
Q: What’s the best way to get clean, defined cookie shapes?
A: For the sharpest, most defined cookie shapes, make sure to roll the dough out to an even 1/4-inch thickness. Lightly flour your work surface and cookie cutters to prevent the dough from sticking. And be gentle when transferring the cut-out shapes to the baking sheet.
Q: My cookies spread too much in the oven. What did I do wrong?
A: If your Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing spread excessively, it’s likely because the dough was too warm before baking. Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. You can also try chilling the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 10-15 minutes before baking.
Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 24 cookies
Description
Indulge in the classic holiday flavor of gingerbread cookies topped with a simple, creamy icing. This easy recipe delivers a delightful treat that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Ingredients
– 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 2 teaspoons ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup molasses
– 2 cups powdered sugar
– 3 tablespoons milk
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. – Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
3. – In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg and molasses.
4. – Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. – Roll the dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters.
6. – Place the cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
7. – Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. – In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Spread or drizzle the icing over the cooled cookies.
Notes
For best results, chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This helps the cookies hold their shape during baking. Store the cookies in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing are a classic holiday treat that never go out of style. With their perfectly spiced flavor and beautiful presentation, they’re sure to impress at any festive gathering. This easy recipe produces soft, chewy cookies that are simply irresistible. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy baking and sharing these Gingerbread Cookies With Simple Icing as much as I do. Be sure to let me know how they turn out in the comments below!
