Ingredients
Key Ingredients
- Molasses:Â Adds a deep, rich sweetness and moistness to the cookies, creating the classic gingerbread flavor.
- Brown Sugar:Â Enhances the chewy texture and complements the spices with its caramel-like flavor.
- Ground Spices: A blend of ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of cloves provides the warm, spicy notes characteristic of gingerbread.
- All-Purpose Flour:Â Serves as the foundation of the dough, giving the cookies structure.
- Baking Soda:Â Helps the cookies rise and stay soft.
- Butter (Unsalted):Â Adds richness and a tender crumb to the cookies.
- Egg:Â Acts as a binder, ensuring the dough holds together and bakes evenly.
- Vanilla Extract:Â Enhances the overall flavor profile.
- Optional Additions:Â White chocolate chips or a drizzle of white chocolate add a creamy contrast to the spiced cookies, elevating their flavor.
Ingredient Tips
- Use unsulfured molasses for the best flavor.
- Freshly ground spices can significantly enhance the taste of your cookies.
Instructions
Step-by-Step Mixing and Dough Preparation
Perfect soft gingerbread cookies begin with a properly prepared dough. Follow these steps to ensure your cookies are flavorful, soft, and easy to work with:
1. Cream the Wet Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together using a mixer until light and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes). This step creates a soft cookie texture.
- Add molasses and egg, mixing until fully incorporated. This gives the dough its rich flavor and binding properties.
2. Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together:
- 3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix to avoid tough cookies.
3. Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough into two portions and flatten each into a disk.
- Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling firms up the dough, making it easier to roll and shape.
4. Prepare for Rolling and Cutting
Once chilled, the dough is ready to roll out and cut into festive shapes. Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent sticking. Aim for an even thickness of about 1/4 inch for soft, uniform cookies.
