If you are planning on baking up a batch of holiday goodness this season, then look no further! We have the perfect recipe for you. 

This classic cut-out gingerbread cookie recipe is easy to make, perfect for decorating and always so delicious. Made with the tastiest spices, including lots of ginger and cinnamon, plus an added bonus — a batch of gingerbread baking is guaranteed to make your home smell amazing! And of course, the more frostings and sprinkles that you’d like to add, the merrier!


INGREDIENTS - Cookie Dough:

  • 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

INGREDIENTS - Simple Icing:

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

MAKING THE GINGERBREAD COOKIES:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.
  2. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together for 2 minutes on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.  Add in eggs, molasses and vanilla, and beat on medium speed until combined. Reduce mixer speed to low, and gradually add the flour mixture until just combined.
  3. Divide the dough into two equal portions, and form them each into a ball.  Then gently use your hands to flatten each ball into a 1-inch thick disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  4. Once the dough is thoroughly chilled and you’re ready to bake the cookies, heat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
  5. Unwrap the dough and place it on a large, lightly-floured hard surface. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough evenly until it is approximately 1/8-inch thick.  Then use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes, re-rolling the dough as needed to cut out more.  Transfer to parchment-covered baking sheets.
  6. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cookies are crisp around the edges and on top. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling.
  7. Once the cookies are room temperature, feel free to decorate them as desired with the icing (see below) and serve.  Or store in a sealed container for up to 4 days.

MAKING THE SIMPLE ICING:

  1. Whisk all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth.  If your icing is too thin, add in a little more powdered sugar.  If your icing is too thick, add in a tiny bit of milk.
  2. Use a piping bag or one of our icing pens to pipe the icing onto the cookies.


Recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven