Are you craving the warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread cookies but intimidated by molasses? Fear not! This recipe delivers all the delicious gingerbread flavor you love without the need for molasses, making it a perfect easy recipe for even the most novice bakers. These cookies are perfect for holiday baking, quick dinner desserts, or any time you're craving a homemade treat. Get ready to enjoy these delightful and delicious dishes!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Step 1: Cream Together Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This is easily done with an electric mixer, but you can also achieve this with a good amount of elbow grease using a wooden spoon. Make sure the butter is truly softened – this is key for achieving a smooth cookie dough.
Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients
Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
Step 4: Gradually Add Dry to Wet
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; slightly lumpy dough is okay. Overmixing can result in tough cookies.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes. This chilling step helps prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
Step 6: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 7: Roll and Cut
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes.
Step 8: Bake
Place the cookies onto the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Remove the baking sheets from the oven and let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Gingerbread Cookies:
- Don't overbake: Overbaked cookies will be dry and hard. Start checking for doneness around 8 minutes.
- Use fresh spices: Freshly ground spices will provide the most vibrant flavor.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for preventing spreading.
- For softer cookies: Reduce baking time slightly.
- For crispier cookies: Increase baking time slightly.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition.
- Use different extracts: Experiment with almond extract or orange extract for a unique flavor.
- Make it festive: Add sprinkles or colored sugar before baking.
- Royal Icing: Decorate your cooled cookies with royal icing for an extra special touch.
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 100-120
- Fat: Approximately 5-7g
- Sugar: Approximately 6-8g
These easy gingerbread cookies are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the process of homemade cooking and the satisfying results of this delicious and healthy meal option!