Oh, the smell of freshly baked Christmas gingerbread cookies fills my kitchen with pure holiday magic! There’s something so nostalgic about this recipe that takes me back to my childhood, when my family would gather around the table, rolling out dough and cutting out festive shapes. These cookies aren’t just treats; they’re a cherished tradition that brings warmth and joy to the season. Whether you’re hanging them on the tree, leaving them out for Santa, or indulging with a cup of hot cocoa, Christmas gingerbread cookies are the perfect way to celebrate. Trust me, once you take a bite of these sweet, spiced delights, you’ll understand why they’re a holiday must-have in every home! Let’s get baking and spread some festive cheer!
Ingredients for Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to creating these delightful Christmas gingerbread cookies. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This forms the base of your cookies, providing that perfect structure.
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger: Essential for that warm, spicy flavor that screams holiday spirit.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon: Adds a cozy aroma that fills your kitchen with festive cheer.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves: A pinch of this gives your cookies a lovely depth of flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps your cookies rise to chewy perfection.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances all the flavors.
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened: For that rich, buttery taste, make sure it’s at room temperature!
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar: This adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- 1/2 cup molasses: The star ingredient that gives these cookies their signature color and taste.
- 1 large egg: Acts as a binder to hold everything together.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A touch of sweetness that rounds out the flavors beautifully.
With these ingredients on hand, you’re well on your way to baking up a batch of holiday joy!
How to Prepare Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the fun part—baking! Follow these simple steps to create your Christmas gingerbread cookies, and I promise you’ll be in holiday heaven!
Mixing the Dry Ingredients
Start by sifting together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. This step is super important because it helps to evenly distribute the spices and ensures your cookies have that perfect flavor. Make sure to measure your flour accurately—spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off for the best results!
Creaming the Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. I like to use an electric mixer for this part—it makes such a difference! You want the texture to be smooth and creamy, which helps create that delightful cookie consistency.
Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to your butter mixture and stir until well combined. Then, gradually mix in the dry ingredients. Go slow here—overmixing can lead to tough cookies, and we definitely want them to be soft and chewy!
Chilling the Dough
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This chilling time is crucial because it helps the flavors meld together and makes the dough easier to roll out later. Plus, it prevents the cookies from spreading too much while baking!
Baking the Cookies
Once your dough is chilled, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes. Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between them to allow for spreading. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are firm, but the centers are still soft. Keep an eye on them—they should be slightly golden but not too dark! Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Then, get ready to decorate and enjoy!
Tips for Success with Christmas Gingerbread Cookies
To ensure your Christmas gingerbread cookies are a hit, here are some of my favorite tips! First, don’t hesitate to get creative with the shapes—use festive cookie cutters or even freehand your designs for something unique. When it comes to decorating, royal icing is a classic choice; it dries hard and makes those designs really pop! Don’t forget to have fun with sprinkles and edible glitter for that extra sparkle!
Storing your cookies is just as important; keep them in an airtight container to maintain their freshness. They’ll last for about a week at room temperature, or you can freeze them for up to a month—just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. With these tips, your gingerbread cookies will be the talk of the holiday season!
Nutritional Information
Keep in mind that nutritional values can vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Here’s a general breakdown for one Christmas gingerbread cookie:
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 2g
- Fiber: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
- Sodium: 50mg
Enjoy these tasty treats while being mindful of your nutrition!
FAQ Section
Can I freeze the dough?
Absolutely! Freezing the dough is a great way to save time during the busy holiday season. Just wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer bag. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before rolling it out. Easy peasy!
What can I use for decorating?
For decorating your Christmas gingerbread cookies, royal icing is my go-to! It dries hard and creates a beautiful finish. You can also use colored icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter to add some festive flair. Get creative with candy canes, chocolate chips, or even dried fruit for some colorful accents. The decorating possibilities are endless and so much fun!
How long do the cookies last?
Once baked, these cookies can last up to about one week when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to a month. Just make sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Trust me, they’ll taste just as delightful when you thaw them out!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They’re a delightful holiday tradition that fills your home with warmth and festive scents.
- Simple ingredients come together to create a deliciously spiced cookie that everyone loves.
- Perfect for decorating, allowing you to unleash your creativity with festive designs.
- Great for sharing—these cookies make wonderful gifts or party treats!
- They freeze beautifully, so you can enjoy them well beyond the holiday season.
Trust me, once you bake these Christmas gingerbread cookies, you’ll find yourself making them year after year!
Imprimer
Christmas Gingerbread Cookies: 5 Steps to Holiday Bliss
- Temps Total: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Rendement: 24 cookies 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
These Christmas gingerbread cookies are sweet, spiced, and perfect for the holiday season.
Ingrédients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until smooth.
- Add molasses, egg, and vanilla to the butter mixture, and mix well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into shapes.
- Place cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm.
- Let cool before decorating.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use royal icing for decorating.
- Customize shapes with cookie cutters.
- Temps De Préparation: 20 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 10 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 8g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 6g
- Graisses Saturées: 3g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 22g
- La fibre: 1g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 15mg
Mots-clés: christmas gingerbread cookies
