Gingerbread Cookies
Description
Christmas Gingerbread Cookies are a classic holiday treat made with butter, brown sugar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and other warm spices. The cookies bake up with lightly crisp edges and a tender center, making them perfect for decorating and sharing during the Christmas season.
These homemade gingerbread cookies are easy to cut into festive shapes such as gingerbread people, stars, trees, and snowflakes. Decorate them with simple royal icing, sprinkles, or small candies for a fun Christmas baking activity with family and friends.
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Rest Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Difficulty: Easy
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Classic Christmas cookie flavor.
- Warm ginger and cinnamon spices.
- Soft centers with lightly crisp edges.
- Perfect for Christmas decorating.
- Easy to cut into festive shapes.
- Great for cookie exchanges and holiday parties.
- Make-ahead and freezer-friendly.
- Fun baking project for the whole family.
How to Make Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
1. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
Set aside.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and creamy.
Add the egg and molasses and mix until smooth.
3. Make the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix until a soft dough forms.
Do not overmix.
4. Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two portions and flatten each into a disk.
Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
5. Roll and Cut
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness.
Cut into Christmas shapes using cookie cutters.
6. Bake
Arrange the cookies on parchment-lined baking sheets, leaving a little space between them.
Bake for about 8–10 minutes, depending on their size.
7. Cool Completely
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.
Allow them to cool completely before decorating.
8. Decorate and Serve
Prepare the royal icing and pipe designs onto the cooled cookies.
Add Christmas sprinkles or small candies if desired.
Let the icing set completely before storing or serving.
Tips for Perfect Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
- Use room-temperature butter for a smooth dough.
- Chill the dough before rolling to make it easier to handle.
- Avoid adding too much flour when rolling.
- Roll the dough evenly so the cookies bake at the same rate.
- Do not overbake if you prefer softer gingerbread cookies.
- Let the cookies cool completely before decorating.
- Use a piping bag or small decorating tip for neat icing designs.
- Allow royal icing to dry fully before stacking the cookies.
Delicious Recipe Variations
Soft Gingerbread Cookies
Roll the dough slightly thicker and bake just until the edges are set for softer centers.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Replace ¼ cup of the flour with unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate-spiced version.
Orange Gingerbread Cookies
Add 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange zest to the dough for a bright citrus flavor.
Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies
Spread vanilla buttercream or cream cheese frosting between two completely cooled cookies.
White Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Dip one side of the baked cookies into melted white chocolate and finish with festive sprinkles.
What to Serve
- Hot chocolate
- Coffee
- Chai tea
- Eggnog
- Apple cider
- Vanilla milk
- Peppermint tea
- Christmas punch
- Fresh orange slices
- Vanilla ice cream
Storage
Allow the decorated cookies to dry completely before storing.
Place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Separate layers with parchment paper if the cookies are decorated with icing.
Freezing
Yes, Christmas Gingerbread Cookies can be frozen.
For baked cookies, allow them to cool completely and freeze them in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
You can also freeze the unbaked dough for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator before rolling and cutting.
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies
For the Royal Icing
For Decoration
Instructions
-
Whisk flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt together in a medium bowl.
-
Beat butter and brown sugar until creamy, then mix in the egg, molasses, and vanilla.
-
Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
-
Divide the dough into two disks, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
-
Roll the chilled dough to about ¼-inch thickness and cut into Christmas shapes.
-
Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes.
-
Cool the cookies completely on a wire rack before decorating.
-
Pipe royal icing over the cookies, add festive decorations, and let the icing dry completely before serving.
