Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 and 1/2 sticks softened room temperature butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3/4 cup molasses (grandma’s original)
- 1 egg
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 and 1/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the unsalted butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl as needed. You can also use a hand mixer and a large mixing bowl.
- Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until the wet ingredients are fully combined and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and cloves.
- Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients while mixing on low speed. Mix just until the gingerbread cookie dough comes together. The dough should be soft but not sticky.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each into a flat disc.
- Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for the minimum chill time of 1 hour. Chilled dough makes rolling and cutting much easier.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet or a lined baking sheet with sheets of parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about ½-inch thickness for soft cookies.
- Cut out shapes using your favorite cookie cutters, including gingerbread men, gingerbread people, Christmas trees, or snowflakes. Gather and re-roll dough scraps as needed.
- Transfer the cut-out cookies to the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each cookie.
- Bake cookies for a bake time of 9–11 minutes, just until the tops of the cookies are set. Do not overbake if you want soft gingerbread cookies.
- Let the baked cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack or wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Notes
Inspired by I Heart Naptime Gringerbread Men Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
