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Easy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

4.6 from 139 reviews

These Easy Gingerbread Cookies are a delightful blend of warm spices and wholesome ingredients, perfect for a cozy treat. Made with white whole wheat flour and sweetened naturally with maple syrup and molasses, these cookies are simple to prepare and yield a soft, chewy texture with a hint of festive spice. Ideal for holiday baking or any time you crave a comforting, homemade cookie.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour (or half all-purpose and half whole wheat flour)
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice (or ground cloves)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened at room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon molasses

Optional Decorations

  • Sprinkles
  • Raisins
  • Chocolate chips
  • Icing

Instructions

  1. Mix Ingredients: Place all dry and wet ingredients into a bowl and use your hand to gently but thoroughly mix together to form a dough. Incorporate the butter well into the mixture.
  2. Adjust Consistency: If the dough feels too dry after mixing, add an additional tablespoon of milk carefully to avoid stickiness. The dough should hold together when formed into a ball.
  3. Chill Dough (Optional): Form the dough into a flattened disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for about 10 minutes. This step is optional but helps make the dough less sticky and easier to roll.
  4. Prepare Oven and Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  5. Roll Out Dough: Roll the dough to ¼-inch thickness between two sheets of parchment paper or plastic wrap to avoid sticking. If you skipped chilling, use parchment paper for easier handling.
  6. Cut and Bake: Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, keeping an eye on them after 8 minutes to avoid over-browning. Around 9 minutes usually yields perfect cookies.
  7. Cool Cookies: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about a minute. Then, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Decorate (Optional): Once cooled, use a small butter knife or clean paintbrush to spread icing or pipe decorations. Add sprinkles or other toppings immediately before the icing dries to secure them.

Notes

  • Use white whole wheat flour or a mix of all-purpose and whole wheat for best texture.
  • Optional chilling helps with rolling but can be skipped if short on time.
  • Watch cookies carefully during baking to prevent over-browning due to their small size.
  • Decorate with your favorite toppings like sprinkles, raisins, or chocolate chips for added fun.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, easy gingerbread recipe, holiday cookies, spiced cookies, homemade cookies