Gingerbread Cookies
It isn't Christmas until someone starts baking Gingerbread Cookies. These are soft and perfectly spiced just the way they should be.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour 382 grams, 1 tablespoon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves ground
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 pinch salt
- 3/4 cup butter 169 grams, salted
- 3/4 cup brown sugar 150 grams, lightly packed
- 1/2 cup molasses (170 grams)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
*If you use unsalted butter then add 1/4 teaspoon of salt
ROYAL ICING
- 1 1/2 - 1 3/4 cups powdered sugar 188-218 grams, aka icing sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 large egg pasteurized, white
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- In the bowl of the stand up mixer on medium speed beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Then add the molasses, egg and vanilla beat to combine well. Lower the speed and add the flour mixture, mix well.
- Move the dough to a lightly floured flat surface and form into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least three hours or even overnight.
- Remove the dough from the fridge, and cut the dough in half (one half refrigerate), and the other half roll into 1/4 inch thick, use whatever cookie cutter you desire. Place the cut out cookies on un-greased cookie sheets and refrigerate while the oven is pre heating at 350F (180C). Continue making the cookies with the remaining dough.
- Bake the cookies approximately 8 - 10 minutes. The cookies are done when the edges are firm when gently touched. Let cool on the cookie sheet for about 2 minutes then carefully move to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired, leave plain or dust will a little powdered / icing sugar. Enjoy!
ROYAL ICING
- Sift the icing sugar (start with 1 1/2 cups) and cream of tartar into a medium bowl then add the egg white and vanilla, beat for about 7 minutes or until very smooth and thick. If it isn't thick enough then add more icing sugar. (I added a bit more to make it thicker).
Notes
- To make the Royal Icing with meringue powder then substitute the egg white and cream of tartar with 1 tablespoon of meringue powder and 1 3/4 tablespoons of water. Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and beat on medium speed for about 5 minutes or until very thick.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 36 cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 129
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 129kcal | 6% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 16mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 71mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 94mg | 2% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 14g | 28% |
| Vitamin A | 127IU | 3% |
| Calcium | 18mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.