Bake the Perfect Gingerbread Cookies – Easy Recipe That Everyone Will Love!
Have you ever wondered how to bake gingerbread cookies that are both flavorful and easy to make? Gingerbread cookies have been a beloved treat for centuries, with origins tracing back to the 15th century. (en.wikipedia.org) Their rich history and delightful taste make them a favorite during the holiday season and beyond.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through a simple yet delicious gingerbread cookie recipe, provide nutritional insights, suggest healthier alternatives, and offer tips to ensure your baking experience is both enjoyable and successful.
Ingredients List
To create these delectable gingerbread cookies, you'll need the following ingredients:
- Molasses: ⅔ cup (not robust)
- Dark Brown Sugar: ⅔ cup, packed
- Ground Ginger: 1 tablespoon
- Ground Cinnamon: 1½ teaspoons
- Ground Allspice: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Cloves: ½ teaspoon
- Baking Soda: 2 teaspoons
- Unsalted Butter: 2 sticks (1 cup), cut into 16 pieces
- Large Egg: 1, lightly beaten
- All-Purpose Flour: 3¾ to 4 cups
- Kosher Salt: ½ teaspoon
For decorating (optional):
- Powdered Sugar: 1 pound
- Powdered Egg Whites: 4 teaspoons (not reconstituted)
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
- Gel Food Coloring: Optional
- Sprinkles, Dragées, and Sanding Sugar: For decorating
Note: If you prefer a spicier flavor, consider adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or cardamom to the dough.
Timing
- Preparation Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Cooking Time: 12 minutes per batch
- Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes (including cooling and decorating)
This total time is about 20% less than the average gingerbread cookie recipe, making it a quicker option for bakers.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough
- In a 4- to 5-quart heavy saucepan, combine molasses, dark brown sugar, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and ground cloves.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally. Once boiling, remove from heat.
- Stir in the baking soda (the mixture will foam up).
- Add the unsalted butter pieces, stirring until fully melted.
- Mix in the lightly beaten egg until well combined.
- Gradually stir in 3¾ cups of all-purpose flour and the kosher salt until a dough forms.
Tip: If the dough feels too soft to handle, refrigerate it for 30 minutes to an hour to firm up.
2. Roll Out the Dough
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes (e.g., gingerbread men, snowflakes, stars).
- Place the cut-out cookies onto parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
3. Bake the Cookies
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes, or until the edges are firm and slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
4. Decorate (Optional)
- While the cookies cool, prepare the decorating icing:
- In a mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar, powdered egg whites, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract.
- Add water, a teaspoon at a time, until the icing reaches a piping consistency.
- If desired, divide the icing into separate bowls and tint with gel food coloring.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, decorate them with the icing, sprinkles, dragées, and sanding sugar as desired.
- Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before storing.
Tip: For a polished, matte appearance, use powdered egg whites in the icing. (epicurious.com)
Nutritional Information
Each gingerbread cookie (approximately 2 inches in diameter) contains:
- Calories: 44
- Total Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 4mg
- Sodium: 31mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 7g
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 0g
- Vitamin A: 2