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A plate full of gingerbread cookies decorated with icing

The Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies for the Holidays

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5 from 4 reviews

  • Author: cooktimestory
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x

Description

Here is our favorite gingerbread cookie recipe, a festive way to spread holiday cheer! These soft, warmly spiced Gingerbread Cookies are a delicious classic made with rich molasses, brown sugar, and cozy spices. Perfect for decorating, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of coffee on a cold winter day!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla and mix again until combined.
  2. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, all of the spices, baking soda, and salt. Putting the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing after each addition, until the dough just comes together. Take care not to overmix!
  3. Form the dough into one large ball, divide it in half, and flatten each half to a 1-inch-thick disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill until firm for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/4-inch thick. Use 3-inch-wide cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and transfer the cut-outs to the prepared baking sheets, re-rolling the dough scraps and cutting the shapes again as needed. Repeat with the remaining disc of dough.
  5. Bake one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies are just set but the centers are still soft. This will ensure that the cookies stay soft once they cool, as baking them longer will yield harder and crunchier cookies.
  6. Let cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired.
  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 9
  • Category: Desserts

Find it online: https://cooktimestory.com/2025/12/16/the-best-soft-gingerbread-cookies-for-the-holidays/