Description
Soft, spiced Classic Gingerbread Cookies that hold their shape. Roll out, cut, and bake in 8–10 minutes. Make ahead-friendly with dairy-free and gluten-free options. Tested twice; best texture at 8–10 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp (8g) ground ginger
- 1 tsp (2.5g) ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp (1g) ground cloves (or allspice)
- 1 tsp (6g) baking soda
- 1/2 tsp (3g) fine sea salt
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cup (160ml) unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or alcohol-free vanilla/vanilla paste
- Optional: 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
- For rolling: extra flour
Instructions
- Make the dough. Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. In a mixer, cream butter and brown sugar (2 minutes). Beat in molasses, egg, vanilla, and zest. Add dry ingredients; mix on low just until a dough forms. Divide into 2 disks; wrap.
- Chill & roll. Chill 1 hour (or 20 minutes in the freezer). Roll each disk to 1/4 inch (6mm) on lightly floured parchment.
- Cut & bake. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut shapes; place on parchment-lined sheets 1 inch apart. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges set (8–9 for soft; 10–11 for crisp). Cool 5 minutes; move to a rack.
Notes
Dairy-free: use plant-based buttery sticks. Gluten-free: use a 1:1 GF flour; add 1–2 tbsp extra if sticky. Easy icing: whisk 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar with 2–3 tbsp milk (or dairy-free milk) + 1/2 tsp vanilla paste. Storage: 1 week room temp, 3 months frozen. Food safety: avoid raw dough.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie (2.5 in)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 110mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Classic Gingerbread Cookies, gingerbread men, soft gingerbread, holiday cookies, molasses cookies, spiced cookies, Christmas cookies, easy cookie recipe, roll-out cookies, winter baking