Description
These soft gingerbread cookies are thick, chewy, and packed with rich molasses flavor and warm holiday spices. They’re perfect for decorating with royal icing and sharing during the festive season.
Ingredients
1 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
4 to 6 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the dark brown sugar and mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Mix in the molasses until fully combined.
- Gradually add the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and roll each portion between sheets of parchment paper to about 3/8 inch thick.
- Chill the rolled dough until firm enough to cut cleanly.
- Cut into desired cookie shapes and place on prepared baking sheets.
- Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 8 to 9 minutes. Cool completely.
- Prepare the icing by beating together the powdered sugar, meringue powder, and water until smooth and pipeable.
- Decorate the cooled cookies with the icing and allow it to harden before serving or storing.
Notes
Add a pinch of ground cloves or allspice for extra warmth.
Mix in a little orange zest for a brighter flavor.
Drizzle with melted white or dark chocolate after the icing has set for added richness.
Decorate with festive sprinkles or sanding sugar while the icing is still wet.
Store decorated cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Freeze undecorated cookies or dough for up to 3 months and thaw before decorating or baking.
Do not overbake to maintain a soft, chewy texture.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
