Description
Timeless holiday classic cookies with cozy spices and a soft, chewy texture. Rich with molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, perfect for rolling and decorating.
Ingredients
3½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground cloves
10 tbsp (142 g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
⅔ cup (160 ml / 200 g) unsulphured or dark molasses
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
Optional: icing or buttercream, for decorating
Instructions
-
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves. Set aside.
-
Cream butter mixture: In a mixer, beat softened butter 1 minute until smooth. Add brown sugar and molasses; beat until creamy, scraping the bowl as needed.
-
Add egg and vanilla: Beat in egg and vanilla on high for 2 minutes. The mixture may look slightly separated—it’s normal.
-
Combine dough: Reduce mixer speed to low. Gradually mix in dry ingredients until just combined. The dough will be thick and sticky.
-
Chill: Divide dough in half, shape into discs, wrap, and chill at least 3 hours or overnight for easier rolling.
-
Preheat oven: Set to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
-
Roll and cut: On a floured surface, roll one dough disc to ¼‑inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutters. Re‑roll scraps and continue.
-
Bake: Bake small cookies for about 8 minutes, large ones for 11 minutes, rotating sheets halfway.
-
Cool and decorate: Let cookies rest 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Cool completely before decorating with icing or buttercream.
Notes
Chill dough thoroughly to prevent sticking and improve texture.
Use unsulphured molasses for balanced flavor.
Roll dough when slightly cool for easier handling and accurate shapes.
Bake just until set for soft cookies, longer for crispier.
Store airtight up to one week.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 11 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cookies
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (1/30 recipe)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: gingerbread cookies, soft holiday cookies, molasses spice cookies, christmas cut-out cookies, classic gingerbread recipe