Welcome to the ultimate guide to the most heartwarming of all Christmas recipes: classic gingerbread cookies. The holiday season is filled with nostalgic aromas and flavors, and nothing captures the spirit of Christmas quite like the scent of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses baking in the oven. This recipe delivers perfectly spiced, soft yet sturdy cookies that are ideal for decorating with your family. Forget complicated instructions and unreliable results; this is your new go-to holiday tradition.
We’ve developed a foolproof method that ensures your gingerbread cookies hold their shape perfectly, creating the ideal canvas for your creative icing designs. Whether you’re making them for a cookie exchange, a festive party, or a cozy afternoon with the kids, these gingerbread men will be the star of the show. Let’s dive into one of the most cherished Christmas recipes of all time.
Why This Gingerbread Cookie Recipe is the Best
There are countless Christmas recipes for gingerbread, but this one stands out for several key reasons. Firstly, the flavor is perfectly balanced. We use a rich blend of spices that creates a warm, deep flavor without being overpowering. Secondly, the texture is spot-on – soft in the middle with slightly crisp edges. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, this dough is a dream to work with. It rolls out smoothly and doesn’t spread in the oven, so your gingerbread men won’t look like holiday blobs!
Your holiday dessert table will be the talk of the town with these festive treats!
This recipe is more than just a set of instructions; it’s a foundation for holiday memories. It’s forgiving enough for little hands to help with, making it one of the most family-friendly Christmas recipes you can find. Looking for other festive treats to bake? Our easy sugar cookie bars are another crowd-pleaser.
Key Ingredients for Perfect Gingerbread
The magic of these cookies lies in a few key ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
Unsulphured Molasses: This is the heart of gingerbread. Use a dark, unsulphured molasses for a rich, classic flavor. Avoid blackstrap molasses, which can be too bitter.
Spices: A powerful trio of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves gives these cookies their signature warmth. Don’t be shy with the ginger!
All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure. Make sure you measure it correctly by spooning it into your measuring cup and leveling it off.
Unsalted Butter: Use room temperature butter for a smooth, well-combined dough.
Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor that complements the molasses.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for flawless gingerbread cookies every time. This is one of those Christmas recipes that is as fun to make as it is to eat.
Step 1: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Whisking ensures the spices and leavening are evenly distributed, which is crucial for a consistent bake.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough, which contributes to a lighter texture.
Step 3: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add the egg and molasses to the butter mixture and beat until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated evenly. The mixture should be smooth and deep brown.
There's nothing better than classic gingerbread cookies during the holidays.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined. Over-mixing can develop the gluten too much, resulting in tough cookies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough (The Most Important Step!)
Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a 1-inch thick disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or preferably overnight. Chilling the dough is essential! It solidifies the fat, which prevents the cookies from spreading while baking. It also allows the spice flavors to meld and deepen.
Step 6: Roll and Cut
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly flour your work surface and a rolling pin. Roll one disk of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use your favorite Christmas cookie cutters to cut out shapes. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are firm. The centers will still be slightly soft. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This is key before you start decorating.
Decorating Your Christmas Cookies
The fun part! Once your cookies are completely cool, it’s time to decorate. A simple royal icing is perfect for creating detailed designs. You can outline the cookies with a thicker icing and then “flood” them with a thinner consistency icing for a smooth, professional look. Use sprinkles, sanding sugar, and other festive decorations to bring your gingerbread people to life. If you’re looking for another easy, decorated treat, our M&M Christmas Cookie Bars are a fantastic option.
For those who love a good dip, try serving these alongside our delicious cherry cheesecake dip for a truly decadent holiday experience.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Great Christmas recipes should make your holiday planning easier. This dough can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the dough disks for up to 3 months. Baked, undecorated cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Once decorated, let the icing set completely before storing them in a single layer in an airtight container.
FL Recipes
Christmas Recipes: The Only Guide to Classic Gingerbread Cookies You'll Ever Need
The only Christmas recipe you need for perfect, classic gingerbread cookies! This recipe yields soft, chewy cookies with crisp edges that hold their shape perfectly for decorating. A holiday must-have!
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the egg and molasses to the mixer and beat until well combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the dry ingredient mixture. Mix until just combined and no flour streaks remain.
Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a 1-inch thick disk, and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and place 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are firm. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Nutrition
Calories: 125kcalProtein: 2gFat: 5gFiber: 1g
Notes
Chilling the dough is mandatory for this recipe! Do not skip this step, as it prevents the cookies from spreading and deepens the spice flavor. Store decorated cookies in a single layer in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
The most crucial step is to chill the dough thoroughly. We recommend chilling the dough for at least 3 hours, or even overnight. This solidifies the fat (butter), which prevents the cookies from spreading out while they bake, ensuring they hold their shape perfectly.
Absolutely! This is one of the best make-ahead Christmas recipes. You can prepare the dough, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dough disks for up to 3 months.
For the best flavor, use a dark, unsulphured molasses. It provides that classic, rich gingerbread taste without being too bitter. Avoid using blackstrap molasses, as its flavor can be overpowering and less sweet.
First, allow the icing to dry and harden completely, which can take several hours. Once set, store the cookies in a single layer in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to a week.
Besides gingerbread cookies, other popular Christmas dishes include roasted turkey or ham for the main course, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole as sides, and festive desserts like pecan pie, sugar cookies, and fudge.
Your New Favorite Holiday Tradition
We hope these classic gingerbread cookies become one of your most treasured Christmas recipes. They are the perfect blend of spice, sweetness, and holiday cheer. Share your creations with us and don’t forget to save this recipe to your holiday board on Pinterest!
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Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
