These bakery-style gingerbread cookies are soft, spiced, and oh-so-delicious! With warm flavors of ginger, cinnamon, and a touch of molasses, they’re perfect for the holiday season.
When I make these cookies, the whole house smells amazing! I love to decorate them with icing, but let’s be real—that’s just for show. I can’t resist eating them warm right from the oven!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This flour forms the base of the cookies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, try using a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it includes xanthan gum for better texture!
Spices (Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg): These spices bring the warm, holiday flavor to your cookies. If you don’t have one specific spice, you can use allspice as a substitute, or simply adjust the quantities of the ones you have to maintain the warmth.
Unsalted Butter: The butter helps achieve that rich, tender texture. If you’re dairy-free, coconut oil or a vegan butter can work well. Just ensure they are softened to combine easily.
Dark Brown Sugar: This sugar adds moisture and a deeper flavor. For a substitute, you can use light brown sugar, or combine white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses.
Molasses: Molasses gives a distinct flavor and color. If you run out, dark corn syrup is a good alternative, but it won’t have the same depth of flavor.
How Do I Get the Perfect Cookie Shape and Texture?
Achieving the perfect cookie shape and texture can be tricky, especially since gingerbread is a flavorful but delicate dough. Here are some tips:
- Once you mix the dough, it’s important to chill it for at least 2 hours. This firms it up, making it easier to roll out without sticking.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Even thickness ensures even baking!
- Use cookie cutters that are sharp and well-floured to get clean shapes. If the dough sticks, dip the cutter in flour before each cut.
- Keep your cookie shapes about 2 inches apart when placing them on the baking sheet to allow for spreading during baking.
Following these steps will help you achieve beautiful, bakery-style gingerbread cookies that not only look great but taste amazing too!
Bakery-Style Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For decoration (optional): royal icing or white icing for piping designs
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of prep time, plus at least 2 hours for chilling the dough. After baking, allow some time for cooling before decorating. Overall, you’ll spend around 30 minutes actively making the cookies and then a little more for cooling and decorating!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Whisk the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Make sure everything is well-mixed and then set this bowl aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and dark brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes. It’s important for the texture of your cookies!
3. Mix in the Wet Ingredients:
Next, add in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat everything together until it’s fully combined and smooth.
4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients on low speed. Make sure you don’t overmix; stop once everything is just combined. Don’t worry if the dough seems sticky!
5. Chill the Dough:
Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disk. Wrap the disks tightly in plastic wrap and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you have time. This will make rolling out the dough much easier!
6. Prepare to Bake:
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats so your cookies don’t stick.
7. Roll Out the Dough:
Take one disk of chilled dough and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters of your choice to cut out shapes and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake the Cookies:
Bake the cookies in the oven for 8-10 minutes. You want the edges to be set while the centers still feel soft to the touch. They will firm up as they cool!
9. Cooling Time:
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before decorating.
10. Decorate and Store:
After cooling, get creative! Use royal icing or white icing to decorate your cookies in fun patterns. Allow the icing to set before serving or storing your cookies. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
Enjoy the delightful flavors of these soft, bakery-style gingerbread cookies, perfect for sharing and celebrating the season!
Can I Use Different Flours for This Recipe?
Yes, you can experiment with different flours! A 1:1 gluten-free flour blend can be used as a substitute for all-purpose flour, as long as it includes xanthan gum for best results. Just keep in mind that the texture might vary slightly.
How to Make the Dough Less Sticky?
If your dough is too sticky to work with, try chilling it for a longer period, or add a little extra flour, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a more manageable consistency. Just be careful not to add too much flour, as it can affect the texture of the cookies!
Can I Freeze the Dough or Cookies?
Absolutely! You can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to bake, thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling out. Baked cookies can also be frozen—just ensure they are fully cooled and stored in an airtight container.
What Can I Use Instead of Royal Icing for Decoration?
If you prefer a simpler decoration method, you can use melted chocolate, store-bought frosting, or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. Just remember these options might not harden as firmly as royal icing, so they’re best for immediate enjoyment!
