Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
7 mins
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Additional Time
2 hrs
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Total Time
2 hrs 17 mins
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Servings
36 cookies
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Calories
82 kcal
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American
Perfect Gingerbread Cookies
Description
Perfect Gingerbread Cookies bring together softened butter and shortening creamed with sugar and warm spices such as ground ginger, cinnamon, and baking powder. The addition of molasses and a touch of vinegar contributes to their characteristic moist texture and subtle tang. Once the dough is chilled thoroughly, it is rolled to a quarter-inch thickness and cut into shapes before baking until the edges become lightly browned, ensuring a tender center with a sturdy perimeter.
The flavor profile features a moderate sweetness highlighted by molasses depth and warming spices balanced by the creamy richness from the butter-shortening blend. The cookies maintain their form well during baking, making them suitable for decorating with icing or enjoying as is. The texture contrasts a soft chewiness in the center with slightly crisp edges.
To achieve the best result, keep the dough chilled before rolling and use minimal flour on your surface to prevent sticking without toughening the dough. Lightly greasing the baking sheet or using parchment paper helps bake evenly and prevents excess browning. Allow the cookies to cool on a rack for full firmness before decorating or storing.
Additional spices like black pepper, allspice, or cloves can be added for more nuanced flavor if desired. Room temperature ingredients ensure proper creaming and dough consistency. These cookies offer a reliable base for holiday baking or anytime gingerbread treats.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup shortening
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg room temperature
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Cream butter and shortening with a hand mixer until fluffy. Add sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Continue to beat on medium until well combined.
- Add molasses, vanilla, egg, and vinegar and beat until well mixed.
- Add flour a little at a time until combined. Divide the two in two and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
- Roll dough to ¼″ thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters into desired shapes.
- Bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
- Allow to cool 2 minutes on the pan. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter and egg to ensure even mixing and proper dough consistency.
- Chill the dough for at least 2 hours or overnight to make rolling and cutting easier and maintain cookie shape.
- Roll dough to about 1/4 inch thickness for balanced texture.
- Lightly grease the pan or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking and promote even baking.
- Optionally add spices such as a pinch of black pepper, allspice, or cloves for extra flavor complexity.
- Use just enough flour on the rolling surface to prevent sticking without toughening the dough.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 36cookies
Amount Per Serving
Calories 82 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cookie | |
| Calories | 82 | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 13g | 4% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 30mg | 1% |
| Potassium | 90mg | 2% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 45IU | 1% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 0.7mg | 4% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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