Embrace the holiday spirit with these Classic Gingerbread Cookies, a timeless treat that brings warmth and joy to any festive gathering. Each cookie, with its rich molasses flavor and aromatic blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, offers a bite of holiday magic. Perfect for family baking sessions, these cookies are not only a delight to make but also a canvas for creativity, ready to be decorated with icing and candies.
These Festive Spiced Gingerbread Delights are more than just cookies; they are a celebration of holiday traditions and homemade goodness. Whether enjoyed with a cup of hot cocoa or left out for Santa, they are sure to spread cheer and create lasting memories. Their soft texture, combined with crisp edges, makes them ideal for both the young and the young at heart, embodying the essence of holiday comfort and joy.
Table of contents
Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of vegetable shortening
- ½ cup of granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup of molasses
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
- ½ tablespoon of ground ginger
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Instructions
- Creaming the Base: In a large mixing bowl, or using a stand mixer, start by creaming together the shortening, sugar, and salt on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. Then, add the egg, molasses, and white vinegar into the mix, beating thoroughly to combine.
- Sifting Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger. This ensures your spices are evenly distributed for that perfect gingerbread flavor.
- Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet mixture. Mix until everything is well combined. The dough will be quite thick.
- Chilling the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial as cold dough is easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
- Preparation for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Rolling and Cutting the Dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Place a 1-inch ball of dough between two sheets of parchment paper, rolling it out to about ⅛ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, removing excess dough from around the edges. Carefully flip the cut-out dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring the cookies are spaced 1 inch apart. This method helps maintain the perfect shape of your gingerbread cookies.
- Baking Time: Bake the cookies for 5-6 minutes, just until they are firm. Be careful not to overbake, as this can make them too crunchy.
- Decorating Fun: Once cooled, decorate your gingerbread cookies with icing and your choice of candies. Let your creativity shine!
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Gingerbread Cookies FAQS
Gingerbread cookies can be either hard or soft, depending on personal preference and the specific recipe used. Traditionally, gingerbread cookies meant for decorations, like those used in gingerbread houses, are baked until hard. Cookies meant for eating are often baked to be softer and chewier. The baking time and the proportions of ingredients like flour, sugar, and molasses can affect the texture.
Gingerbread cookies have a long history in Europe, and they are indeed a significant part of British culinary tradition. However, they are not exclusively British. The tradition of making spiced gingerbread cookies dates back to medieval Europe, and it has variations across many countries, including Germany, France, and the Nordic countries.
The main difference between gingerbread cookies and ginger cookies is the flavor and texture:Gingerbread Cookies: These are typically more heavily spiced and may include a variety of spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. They often have a firmer texture, suitable for shaping and decorating.
Ginger Cookies: These usually have a dominant ginger flavor and are often softer and chewier. They might not include the variety of spices found in gingerbread cookies and are typically round, without intricate decorations.
Gingerbread cookies are a popular Christmas tradition for several reasons:Historical Significance: The tradition of making spiced breads and cookies dates back to medieval times, and gingerbread has been associated with winter celebrations since then.
Festive Spices: The spices used in gingerbread, like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, are warm and aromatic, fitting well with the cozy and festive atmosphere of Christmas.
Decorative Potential: Gingerbread dough is firm and moldable, making it ideal for creating decorative shapes like gingerbread men and houses, which are fun activities during the holiday season.
Cultural Tradition: Over time, baking and decorating gingerbread cookies have become a cherished activity during the Christmas season, often involving family and community gatherings.
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Print
Gingerbread Cookies
Get into the holiday spirit with these Festive Spiced Gingerbread Delights! A joy to make and a treat to eat! ????????
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 45 cookies 1x
Ingredients
- ½ cup of vegetable shortening
- ½ cup of granulated white sugar
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup of molasses
- 1 tablespoon of white vinegar
- 2 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon of ground cloves
- ½ tablespoon of ground ginger
Instructions
- Creaming the Base: In a large mixing bowl, or using a stand mixer, start by creaming together the shortening, sugar, and salt on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well-blended. Then, add the egg, molasses, and white vinegar into the mix, beating thoroughly to combine.
- Sifting Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground ginger. This ensures your spices are evenly distributed for that perfect gingerbread flavor.
- Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet mixture. Mix until everything is well combined. The dough will be quite thick.
- Chilling the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial as cold dough is easier to roll out and cut into shapes.
- Preparation for Baking: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper and set them aside.
- Rolling and Cutting the Dough: Remove the dough from the refrigerator. Place a 1-inch ball of dough between two sheets of parchment paper, rolling it out to about ⅛ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, removing excess dough from around the edges. Carefully flip the cut-out dough onto the prepared baking sheet, ensuring the cookies are spaced 1 inch apart. This method helps maintain the perfect shape of your gingerbread cookies.
- Baking Time: Bake the cookies for 5-6 minutes, just until they are firm. Be careful not to overbake, as this can make them too crunchy.
- Decorating Fun: Once cooled, decorate your gingerbread cookies with icing and your choice of candies. Let your creativity shine!
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 67 kcal
Keywords: gingerbread cookies, holiday baking, Christmas treats, spiced cookies, molasses flavor, festive desserts, homemade cookies, winter baking, cinnamon spice, clove aroma, ginger flavor, family baking, holiday traditions, sweet treats, festive snacks
