Sweet Spiced Magic: Joy Of Cooking Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Gingerbread cookies unleash a symphony of winter memories that envelop your senses with pure magic.

Fragrant spices swirl through kitchens, weaving nostalgic tales of comfort and joy.

Every crumb tells a story of generations who savored these delectable morsels with unbridled delight.

Warm notes of ginger and cinnamon create an irresistible melody that dances across taste buds with enchanting complexity.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a sensory adventure that transcends ordinary baking experiences.

These delightful treats blend tradition and passion into one spectacular culinary creation.

Grab your mixing bowl and let the aroma of holiday cheer guide you toward an unforgettable baking journey that will spark smiles and create lasting memories.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 180 kcal

Servings: 24

Gingerbread Cookie Ingredient List

• Granulated Sugar: Choose pure, fine-crystal sugar for smooth blending and perfect cookie texture.
• Butter: Select high-quality, unsalted butter at room temperature for creamy, rich flavor.

• Egg White: Pick fresh, large eggs with clean, uncracked shells for best binding.
• Vanilla Extract: Use pure, high-grade extract for deep, authentic flavor profile.
• Molasses: Opt for robust, dark molasses to enhance cookie's warm, deep undertones.

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for consistent texture and better structure.
• Baking Soda, Salt: Pick fresh, non-clumping ingredients for even distribution.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Ginger, Ground Nutmeg: Choose freshly ground, aromatic spices from reputable brands for maximum flavor complexity.

Tools for Shaping Gingerbread Cookies

• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Perfect for creaming sugar and butter to silky smoothness.
• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining wet ingredients and creating dough.
• Separate mixing bowl: Used for whisking together dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients evenly and break up any lumps.
• Plastic wrap: Covers dough during refrigeration to prevent drying.
• Baking sheets: Provides surface for shaping and baking cookies.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy cleanup.
• Small bowl: Holds granulated sugar for coating cookie balls.
• Glass or flat-bottomed object: Used to gently flatten cookie balls.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool evenly and maintain crispness.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.

Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Instructions

• Whip Up the Base

Grab your mixer and transform sugar and butter into a cloud-like, pale cream by blending for a few minutes until smooth and fluffy.

• Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in egg white, vanilla, and molasses, mixing thoroughly to create a silky, unified mixture that promises delicious cookies.

• Craft Dry Ingredient Blend

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, and warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg in a bowl, creating a fragrant foundation for your treats.

• Form Cookie Dough

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Wrap the bowl and chill in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and dough firm up.

• Prepare for Baking

Heat the oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper, setting the stage for golden, spiced cookies.

• Shape and Coat Cookies

Roll chilled dough into small balls, then dance them through a sparkling sugar bath, ensuring each cookie is beautifully coated.

• Bake to Perfection

Place sugared dough balls on baking sheets, softly pressing each one flat. Bake until edges turn golden and centers remain tender, filling your kitchen with warm, spicy aromas.

• Cool and Enjoy

Transfer cookies to a wire rack, letting them cool completely before savoring their crisp edges and soft, spiced centers.

Decorating and Flavor Tips for Gingerbread Cookies

Experiment with additional warm spices like cardamom or allspice to create a unique flavor profile that enhances the classic molasses taste.

Reduce baking time by 1-2 minutes for extra soft, gooey cookies that melt in your mouth and retain a delightful moisture.

Drizzle a simple powdered sugar glaze over cooled cookies for an elegant touch that adds sweetness and visual appeal.

Keep cookies fresh by storing in an airtight container with a slice of bread, which helps maintain their soft texture for up to 5 days.

Holiday Serving Ideas for Gingerbread Cookies

• Savor with Tea or Coffee: Pair these warm, spiced cookies with a steaming mug of Earl Grey tea or rich espresso for a delightful afternoon treat.
• Dress Up Cookie Platter: Dust cookies with extra powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate for an elegant holiday dessert presentation.
• Create Cookie Sandwich: Spread cream cheese frosting or vanilla buttercream between two cookies for a decadent, creamy twist on the classic ginger cookie.
• Serve as Gift Idea: Package cookies in cute mason jars or decorative tins with ribbon for a homemade, heartwarming holiday gift that friends and family will adore.

Storing Gingerbread Cookies the Right Way

• Preserve Cookie Quality: Wrap cooled cookies individually in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container to maintain softness and prevent drying out.
• Extend Freshness: Keep cookies at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring they remain chewy and delicious with proper sealing.
• Freezing for Later: Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze up to 3 months for a quick sweet treat anytime.
• Revive Stored Cookies: Warm slightly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or leave at room temperature for 10 minutes to restore original soft texture and enhance flavor.

Scrumptious Joy Of Cooking Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

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

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Description

Homemade gingerbread cookies offer a delightful spice blend reminiscent of winter holidays. Warm molasses and fragrant spices create a classic treat perfect for sharing with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ⅔ cups (345 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 cup (205 g) light brown sugar, firmly packed
• 1 cup (200 g) granulated white sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml) (90 g) unsulphured molasses
• 2 large egg whites (60 g), room temperature
• 2 tsps (10 g) baking soda
• 1 tsp (2 g) ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp (2 g) ground ginger
• ½ tsp (2 g) salt
• ½ tsp (1 g) ground cloves
• ½ tsp (1 g) pure vanilla extract (optional)

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Blend sugar and butter in an electric mixer until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy, and pale consistency, about 2-3 minutes.
2. Wet Ingredient Fusion: Mix egg whites, vanilla extract, and molasses into the butter blend until completely integrated.
3. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Whisk flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a separate bowl to ensure even distribution of dry components.
4. Dough Formation: Delicately incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overworking the dough.
5. Chilling Process: Encase dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, allowing flavor development and structural firmness.
6. Oven Preparation: Set oven to 350°F (180°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
7. Cookie Shaping: Extract chilled dough and craft uniform balls, then roll each thoroughly in granulated sugar.
8. Placement and Flattening: Distribute sugar-coated balls across baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart, and gently press with glass bottom to create uniform discs.
9. Baking Stage: Bake for 8-10 minutes, targeting slightly set edges while maintaining a soft, tender center.
10. Cooling Protocol: Transfer cookies to wire rack, allowing them to cool completely and achieve optimal crisp texture.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor: Refrigerating the dough for at least an hour allows spices to meld and intensify, creating deeper, more complex gingerbread taste.
• Prevent Overmixing: Fold dry ingredients gently just until combined to keep cookies tender and prevent tough, dense texture.
• Sugar Coating Technique: Roll dough balls completely in granulated sugar for a delightful crackly exterior and sweet crisp finish.
• Watch Baking Time Carefully: Check cookies at 8 minutes to avoid overbaking; they should have set edges but remain soft in the center for perfect texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg