Christmas Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

The holiday season is filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of delicious treats. One of the most beloved Christmas traditions is baking gingerbread cookies. Their delightful aroma, warm spices, and festive shapes make them the perfect treat for this time of year. Whether you’re baking with family or gifting a batch to friends, these gingerbread cookies are sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Here’s a simple and delicious Christmas gingerbread cookie recipe that will have your kitchen smelling like a winter wonderland in no time!

If baking isn't your thing, no worries! You can easily grab delicious gingerbread cookies on FoodLine and enjoy all the festive flavor without the fuss.

Ingredients:

For the gingerbread cookies:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the royal icing:

• 1 large egg white (or 2 tablespoons meringue powder)

• 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar

• Food coloring (optional)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, spices (ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg), and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or a stand mixer for this step. This usually takes about 3 minutes.

3. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined.

4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. It may seem a little stiff at first, but keep mixing until everything comes together.

5. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This helps the dough firm up and makes it easier to roll out.

Step 2: Roll and Cut the Cookies

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Once the dough has chilled, take one portion out of the fridge and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness.

3. Use your favorite cookie cutters (gingerbread men, stars, snowflakes—get creative!) to cut out the shapes. Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 1 inch of space between each one.

4. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake. The cookies will firm up as they cool.

5. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 3: Decorate with Royal Icing

Now comes the fun part—decorating your gingerbread cookies!

To make the royal icing:

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the egg white (or meringue powder and water) with a hand mixer until frothy.

2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, until the mixture thickens to stiff peaks. This will be your base icing.

3. Add the lemon juice or vinegar to help stabilize the icing, then mix well.

4. If you want to add color to your icing, divide the royal icing into separate bowls and add a few drops of food coloring to each. Use gel food colors for the most vibrant hues.

5. Transfer the royal icing into piping bags or squeeze bottles to easily decorate the cookies.

Step 4: Let the Icing Set

Once you’ve finished decorating your gingerbread cookies, let them sit for about 30 minutes to an hour to allow the royal icing to harden completely. This will help preserve your designs and make the cookies easier to stack or package for gifts.