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Perfect Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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A nostalgic and foolproof gingerbread cookie recipe with royal icing decorations, perfect for holiday gatherings and festive treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour (for gluten-free option, use 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour)
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger (freshly ground preferred)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ¾ cup (160 g) packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (120 ml) unsulfured molasses
  • 3 cups (360 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 large egg whites or 4 tbsp meringue powder + 6 tbsp water
  • 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
  • Optional: gel food coloring for decorating

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients: whisk together flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt in a medium bowl.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Add egg and molasses: beat in egg and molasses until fully combined.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients: gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, mixing on low until just combined.
  5. Chill the dough: wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.
  6. Roll and cut: roll dough to ¼ inch thickness on floured surface, cut shapes with cookie cutters, place 1 inch apart on parchment-lined baking sheets.
  7. Bake: bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm but not darkened.
  8. Cool completely: transfer cookies to wire rack and cool for at least 20 minutes before decorating.
  9. Prepare royal icing: beat powdered sugar with egg whites or meringue powder mixture and lemon juice until stiff peaks form; add food coloring if desired.
  10. Decorate and dry: pipe royal icing onto cooled cookies and let dry at room temperature for 4-8 hours.

Notes

Chill dough to prevent spreading and make rolling easier. Use freshly ground spices for best flavor. Let royal icing rest before piping for perfect consistency. Cool cookies completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting. Store decorated cookies in airtight container at room temperature; avoid refrigeration.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, royal icing, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, festive baking, gingerbread recipe, cookie decorating

Find it online: https://wigglebite.com/perfect-gingerbread-cookies-recipe-5-easy-tips-for-royal-icing-decorations/