In our family, we make these old-fashioned gingerbread cookies every Christmas. A handful of ingredients form a delicious dough that’s the best for cutting, baking and decorating!
Want more gingerbread recipes? We love this gingerbread fudge and these yummy gingerbread truffles. Take a peek at these Christmas cookie recipes for more ideas!
SEE ALSO: Pinwheels | PB Balls | Cinnamon Roll Cookies | PB Cookie Cups
Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookies
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- royal icing
- candies for decorating
PRO TIP: Make sure to soften your butter ahead of time. Room temperature butter helps these cookies be light and fluffy!
Tools (Affiliate Links): Wilton Piping Tips | Cookie Cutters | Silicone Baking Mat
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
STEP ONE: In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar. Pour in molasses and vanilla and mix well.
STEP TWO: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
STEP THREE: Add the dry mix into the butter mixture a half cup at a time, alternating between water and dry ingredients. Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight.
STEP FOUR: Roll half the dough out onto a floured surface to ¼ inch thickness. Use the cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
STEP FIVE: Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees.
STEP SIX: Move to a wire rack and let cool completely. Decorate with royal icing and candies.
Homemade Royal Icing
Ingredients for Royal Icing
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 4 cups powder sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- ¾ cups water
PRO TIP: You can also add a few drops of food coloring in to create colors in your icing.
How to Make Royal Icing
STEP ONE: In a stand mixer, add meringue powder and powdered sugar, then add vanilla and turn the mixer on low.
STEP TWO: Pour in a half cup of water. Turn the mixer on high until it starts to increase in volume, then add a tablespoon of water at a time until the frosting falls from the whisk in a slow stream. I added another 2 tablespoons of water until my frosting was perfect.
STEP THREE: Place in a piping bag with a small round tip.
PRO TIP: I suggest using a #2 or #3 tip for this cookie decorating project!
These old-fashioned cinnamon ornaments are another awesome project to do with your family during the holidays.
Decorating Ideas
Besides royal icing and sprinkles, you could use one of these ideas for your cookies:
- M&M’S
- Red Hots
- colored sugar
- powdered sugar
- melted dark chocolate
- melted white chocolate
storing your cookies
IN THE FRIDGE: This recipe will last for about a week in an airtight container on the counter. If your cookies start to get hard, you can pop a piece of bread in the container with them to help soften them again.
IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze gingerbread cookies bu you’ll want to freeze them before decorating.
To freeze, place them on a cookie sheet until frozen, then place in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to three months.
NOTE: You can also freeze the dough until you’re ready to thaw and bake later.
Filled with sugar, molasses, vanilla, and spices, these classic homemade soft gingerbread cookies are sure to be a holiday favorite. You’ll love their sweet and spicy flavor.
More Christmas Recipes We Love:
FUDGE: Christmas | Chocolate | Peanut Butter
BARKS & BRITTLES: Peanut Brittle ( Microwave ) | Peppermint Bark
TREATS: Christmas Crunch | Candy Cane Pie | Turtles
Plus, we love these Christmas candy recipes!
Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup butter room temperature
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup water
- royal icing
- candies for decorating
Instructions
- Cream butter and brown sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add molasses and vanilla and mix until completely combined.
- Whisk flour, baking soda, spices, and salt in a medium bowl. Add dry ingredients to the butter mixture about 1/2 cup at a time, adding water in between. Mix until combined.
- Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for one hour, or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Roll dough out on a floured board to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Use cutters to cut out shapes.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then let cool completely on wire rack.
- Decorate with royal icing and candies.
YES!! I love gingerbread cookies, especially at Christmas time and I cannot wait to make these.