One of my best ever recipes for Gingerbread Cookies. Just the right amount of spice and they bake into perfect shapes.
Gingerbread Cookies are always a must for Holiday baking. The smell of these cookies baking is sure to put everyone in the Christmas spirit. I've tested many recipes over the years and this is, by far, my favourite. The optional orange zest adds a great depth of flavour to the cookies, but if you like a more traditional flavour simply omit the orange zest.
I use fancy molasses in my recipe, for a bolder flavour try cooking molasses. 
This Gingerbread Cookie recipe cuts perfect shapes and bakes maintaining great edges. The key is to place cutout cookies in freezer for 5-10 minutes before baking. This prevents them from spreading as they bake.
Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon table salt
- 4 oz unsalted butter ½ cup, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup molasses fancy molasses
- 2 teaspoon orange zest grated optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- Using a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, mixing until combined, then add molasses and orange zest. Beat on medium speed until smooth, stopping to scrape the bowl as necessary.
- On low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until the flour is incorporated.
- Place dough onto a lightly floured parchment paper and flatten to a 1-inch thickness. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment.
- Roll out dough on a floured surface, about ¼” (6mm) thickness.
- Cut gingerbread into desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.
- Place cutout cookies in freezer for 5-10 minutes.
- Bake 10-12 minutes. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
- Decorate as desired. Store in airtight container. Freeze up to 3 months.
Nutrition
One of my favourite things to do during the Holiday Season is decorating cookies with family and friends. Kids love decorating Christmas cookies. It doesn't matter how they are decorated, they still taste great! I usually decorate my cookies with Royal Icing. Check out my easy to follow instructions for decorating cookies with Royal Icing here.
For more great cutout cookie recipes try my Candy Cane Sugar Cookies and Best Ever Sugar Cookies recipes!
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Vanessa says
Ive never made ginger bread cookies before. I love this recipe! I made it yesterday and they came out so good! They were soft and fluffy and didnt lose shape! Thank you for making it easy to understand. I was always hesitant to try making ginger bread cookies but not anymore!
Laureen King says
I've tested many gingerbread recipes over the years and finally came up with this one that I always use. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas
Joanne Peck says
What do you mean by fancy molasses? Are you talking about Sorghum molasses, Brer Bear black molasses, or dark syrup that usually is in pecan pie?
Laureen King says
Hi Joanne, in Canada we have several type of molasses. Any type of molasses will work. Fancy molasses is just a lighter molasses and tends to make cookies a bit softer.
Joanne Peck says
Thank you! We in Alabama have sorghum molasses, which when done right, is really fancy! I’m looking forward to making these for my grandson!
Laura Martinez says
Can I freeze the dough for a week?
Laureen King says
yes, I would wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in ziplock bag to make sure dough doesn't dry out.
Elisabeth Pinsonneault says
ok, these are amazing. I just made them. Before the chilling stage, my dough was not really a dough: super crumbly. Maybe I added too much flour, I don't know. But I added a bit of water until it looked more like a dough, and let chill. I was nervous that would mess up the consistency. But the cookies came out perfect! Perfect consistency, divine flavor. Definitely my go-to gingerbread from here on out.
Laureen King says
Thanks Elisabeth, nothing beats gingerbread at Christmas time.
Ella says
How many gingerbread men does it make?
Laureen King says
Ella that really depends on the size of your cookie cutter. I usually get about 30.