There is something so special about baking gingerbread cookies during the Christmas season! Between the warm spices, sweet molasses, and cozy aroma that fills the kitchen, these cookies are one of my favorite holiday treats. My mom taught me how to make gingerbread cookies, and this simple but delicious recipe is one I love coming back to when the holidays roll around.
Whether you're baking with your family, preparing for a Christmas cookie exchange, or putting together homemade gifts for friends and neighbors, these gingerbread cookies are a wonderful addition to your holiday baking list.
Why You'll Love These Gingerbread Cookies
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how simple it is to make. You don't need any complicated ingredients or special baking equipment to create a delicious batch of homemade gingerbread cookies.
The combination of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves gives these cookies their classic gingerbread flavor. The brown sugar and molasses add sweetness and depth, while the butter helps create a delicious cookie with a soft, flavorful center.
I also love that gingerbread cookies are so versatile! You can enjoy them as they are, decorate them with royal icing, or use your favorite cookie cutters to make festive Christmas shapes.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here is what you'll need to make these homemade gingerbread cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
These ingredients come together to create a classic gingerbread cookie with plenty of warm spice and rich molasses flavor.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper so your cookies are easy to remove after baking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Mix the dry ingredients until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Add the molasses, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing until everything is well incorporated.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Roll out the dough and use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes, or shape the dough according to your preferred cookie style. Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little room between each one.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 11 minutes. Baking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so keep an eye on them as they bake. Allow the cookies to cool before decorating or serving.
Perfect for Christmas Gifts and Cookie Exchanges
Homemade gingerbread cookies make such thoughtful Christmas gifts! Package them in a festive tin, cellophane bag, or decorative box tied with ribbon for a simple homemade present.
They are also perfect for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, and baking days with your children. You can even set up a decorating station with royal icing and sprinkles for a fun Christmas activity.
I love recipes that bring back family memories while creating new traditions of our own. Since my mom taught me how to make gingerbread cookies, baking them during the holidays feels like a sweet way to carry on that tradition.
If you're looking for an easy, delicious gingerbread cookie recipe to add to your Christmas baking list, I hope this one becomes a favorite in your home, too!
There is something so special about baking gingerbread cookies during the Christmas season!
Gingerbread Cookies
Soft, warmly spiced gingerbread cookies with molasses and brown sugar, a simple holiday recipe my mom taught me. Perfect for gifts and cookie exchanges.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup brown sugar packed
12 tbsp unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Prepare your baking sheets by lining them with parchment paper so your cookies are easy to remove after baking.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, and baking soda. Mix the dry ingredients until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
In a separate bowl, combine the softened butter and brown sugar. Add the molasses, vanilla extract, and eggs, mixing until everything is well incorporated.
Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
Roll out the dough and use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes, or shape the dough according to your preferred cookie style. Place the cookies on your prepared baking sheets, leaving a little room between each one.
Bake at 350°F for approximately 11 minutes. Baking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so keep an eye on them as they bake. Allow the cookies to cool before decorating or serving.
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Roshel Madden
Wife, mom, and the baker behind Merry Madden, sharing decorated sugar cookies, royal icing tips and cozy family bakes.
