Quick & Easy Joy Of Cooking Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Gingerbread cookies spark memories of cozy winter kitchens and festive celebrations that warm hearts instantly.

Rich, spicy aromas waft through homes, creating an atmosphere of comfort and nostalgia.

These delightful treats combine sweet and zesty flavors that dance across your palate with remarkable intensity.

Soft yet crisp textures provide a sensory experience that transforms simple ingredients into magical culinary moments.

Generations of home bakers have cherished this classic recipe, passing down techniques that elevate humble ingredients into something extraordinary.

Baking these cookies connects us to cherished traditions and creates opportunities for sharing love through delicious homemade treats: prepare to embark on a delectable journey.

Reasons to Love Gingerbread Cookies

• Savor Spicy-Sweet Sensation: These gingerbread cookies deliver an incredible blend of warm spices and sugary sweetness that dances perfectly on your taste buds, creating a delightful flavor explosion in every single bite.
• Craft Quick Comfort Cookies: With just 1.5 hours total time and simple steps, even beginner bakers can effortlessly whip up these delectable treats without feeling overwhelmed by complicated techniques or requiring professional baking skills.
• Enjoy Elegant Texture Magic: The cookies transform beautifully during baking – starting soft and tender, developing crispy edges while maintaining a wonderfully chewy center that provides a satisfying mouthfeel with each delightful crunch.
• Celebrate Festive Versatility: Perfect for holiday gatherings, cozy winter afternoons, or casual family dessert moments, these gingerbread cookies bring warmth and joy to any occasion, making them an irresistible sweet companion for sharing and enjoying together.

What’s In Gingerbread Cookies

Main Ingredients:

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy base for cookie texture and adds depth of flavor. Room temperature butter works best for smooth mixing.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cookies and helps create a crisp exterior. Granulated white sugar is ideal for even distribution.
• Egg Whites: Binds ingredients and helps create a light, tender cookie texture. Fresh eggs recommended.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes. Pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.
• Molasses: Adds deep, complex sweetness and characteristic gingerbread color. Unsulphured molasses works best.

• Flour: Provides structure and body to the cookies. All-purpose flour recommended for consistent results.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a soft, tender texture. Fresh baking soda ensures proper leavening.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile. Fine table salt works well.

• Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves): Creates signature gingerbread flavor. Ground spices are preferred for even distribution. Fresh, high-quality spices recommended for best taste.

How to Make Gingerbread Cookies

Step 1: Cream Sugar and Butter

Grab your electric mixer or hand mixer. Blend sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until the mixture turns pale and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

Mix in 1 egg white, vanilla extract, and molasses. Blend until ingredients are fully combined and smooth.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground ginger
• Ground nutmeg

Step 4: Create Cookie Dough

Slowly fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Stir until just incorporated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Step 5: Prepare Baking Setup

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 6: Shape Cookie Balls

Pour granulated sugar into a small bowl. Remove chilled dough and roll into 1-inch balls (about 15 grams each).

Step 7: Coat and Flatten Cookies

Roll each cookie ball completely in sugar. Place on baking sheet with 2 inches of space between them. Gently press down on each ball using the bottom of a glass.

Step 8: Bake and Cool Cookies

Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set but centers remain soft. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely.

Expert Advice on Gingerbread Cookies

• Preserve Freshness: Store cookies in an airtight container to maintain softness and prevent staleness.
• Freeze for Future Fun: Wrap unbaked dough tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for spontaneous baking sessions.
• Master Even Rolling: Use rubber band guides on rolling pin to achieve consistent cookie thickness every single time.
• Temperature Matters: Let refrigerated dough sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling to prevent cracking.
• Customize Crunch: Experiment with baking times – shorter for chewy centers, longer for crisp edges that snap perfectly.

Helpful Tips for Gingerbread CookiesStorage

• Freezer Method: Seal completely cooled cookies in airtight freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Layer cookies between parchment paper sheets to maintain shape and prevent sticking. Label bags with date and contents for easy tracking. Perfect for long-term storage up to 2 months.
• Counter Storage Method: Keep cookies in ceramic or glass containers with tight-fitting lids to maintain freshness. Place a small piece of bread inside to help retain moisture and prevent cookies from becoming dry. Store away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Ideal for enjoying within 2-3 weeks.
• Refrigerator Method: Wrap cookies individually in plastic wrap or store in sealed containers with minimal air exposure. Stack carefully to prevent crumbling or breaking. Best consumed within one week for optimal taste and texture. Recommended for humid environments to extend cookie shelf life.

Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Variations

• Spiced Chocolate Gingerbread: Melt dark chocolate chips and fold into the batter for rich, intense flavor. Sprinkle extra cocoa powder with the spices to enhance the chocolate notes.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the dough before chilling. Press additional chopped nuts on top of cookies before baking for extra crunch and nutty depth.
• Citrus Zinger Cookies: Add fresh orange or lemon zest to the wet ingredients for a bright, tangy undertone. Dust finished cookies with powdered sugar mixed with a hint of citrus zest for additional flavor complexity.
• Maple Ginger Fusion: Replace half the molasses with pure maple syrup to create a subtly sweet, caramel-like undertone. Drizzle warm maple glaze over cooled cookies for an extra layer of sweetness.

Gingerbread Cookies Recap

Gingerbread cookies offer more than mere sweetness – they weave nostalgic memories through delicate spices and warm aromas.

Home kitchens come alive with classic comfort when these treats emerge from ovens across generations.

Classic recipes connect families through shared culinary traditions passed between grandparents and children.

Winter celebrations gain magical moments with these delightful rounds of happiness.

Crisp edges and tender centers create perfect balance in each delectable bite.

Passionate bakers can share their cookie creations, spark conversations, inspire community connections, and spread delightful joy through social media channels – so snap, post, and spread gingerbread love!

Joy Of Cooking Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Gingerbread cookies bring festive warmth from classic American holiday traditions. Spicy molasses and rich cinnamon create delightful memories of winter celebrations that welcome friends and family around sweet, crisp cookies perfect for sharing.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ⅔ cups (345 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup (205 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons (10 grams) baking soda
• ½ teaspoon (2 grams) salt
• 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon (2 grams) ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) ground cloves

Wet Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) (90 grams) unsulphured molasses
• 2 large egg whites (60 grams), at room temperature
• ½ teaspoon (1 gram) pure vanilla extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. In an electric mixer or using a hand mixer, cream together sugar and butter until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale, approximately 2-3 minutes.
2. Incorporate egg whites, vanilla extract, and molasses into the butter mixture, blending until thoroughly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices to ensure even distribution of dry ingredients.
4. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until just incorporated to prevent overmixing.
5. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour, allowing the dough to firm up and develop deeper flavors.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Place granulated white sugar in a medium-sized bowl for coating the cookies.
8. Remove the chilled dough and shape into small balls weighing approximately 15 grams (1 inch) each.
9. Roll each dough ball completely in granulated sugar, ensuring full coverage.
10. Arrange the sugar-coated balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart.
11. Gently flatten each cookie using the bottom of a glass to create a uniform shape.
12. Bake for 8-10 minutes, watching for slightly set edges while maintaining a soft center.
13. Remove from the oven and allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack, where they will continue to crisp slightly.

Notes

• Refrigerating the dough helps prevent spreading and creates a more concentrated flavor profile.
• Pressing cookies with a clean drinking glass ensures consistent thickness and professional-looking results.
• Soft centers come from slightly shorter baking times, while crispy edges require a few extra minutes in the oven.
• Store remaining dough in an airtight container for up to two weeks, allowing spontaneous cookie cravings to be quickly satisfied.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 114
• Sugar: 9.5 g
• Sodium: 3.1 mg
• Fat: 4.1 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18.2 g
• Fiber: 0.4 g
• Protein: 0.9 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg