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Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Soft Gingerbread Cookies That Will Warm Your Heart This Holiday

Deliciously chewy Soft Gingerbread Cookies that fill your home with warmth and holiday spirit.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 11 minutes
Cooling Time 5 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 120
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Cookie Dough
  • 3/4 cup Salted Butter adds richness and moisture—unsalted butter works too, just adjust salt content elsewhere.
  • 3/4 cup Granulated Sugar provides sweetness and contributes to the cookie's soft texture.
  • 1/3 cup Brown Sugar adds moisture and depth of flavor from its molasses—can substitute with more granulated sugar, but texture might vary.
  • 1 whole Egg acts as a binder, offering structure and stability to cookies.
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract enhances the overall flavor—vanilla bean paste is a great alternative for a more intense kick.
  • 1/3 cup Molasses imparts that classic gingerbread flavor—no direct substitute; light corn syrup may work but won’t provide the same depth.
  • 2 1/4 cups All-Purpose Flour forms the cookie’s structure—make sure to spoon and level for precise measurement.
  • 2 teaspoons Baking Soda helps the cookies rise, achieving that perfect soft texture.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder assists in leavening.
  • 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon provides warmth and that festive spice everyone loves.
  • 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger an essential ingredient for delivering the true gingerbread taste.
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg adds a subtle warm spice note that complements the other flavors.
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves a little goes a long way, giving a fragrant finish.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese offers creaminess and a tangy touch to the frosting.
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar sweetens while thickening the frosting to the right consistency.
  • 1/4 cup Butter adds richness—let it sit at room temperature for easier mixing.
  • 1/8 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon enhances the flavor of the frosting beautifully.
  • 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract a must for that extra flavor boost.
  • 1 tablespoon Milk adjust the frosting's consistency to your preference.

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric Mixer
  • Baking Sheets
  • Parchment Paper
  • Cookie Scoop
  • Wire Rack

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Cream together 3/4 cup salted butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/3 cup brown sugar for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add 1 whole egg, 1/3 cup molasses, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until smooth.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, and spices.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  6. Scoop portions of the dough onto baking sheets, spaced at least 2 inches apart.
  7. Bake for 9-11 minutes, until light golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.
  8. Remove from oven and cool on sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
  9. Prepare the cream cheese frosting by beating together cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
  10. Frost completely cooled cookies and add any festive decorations as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookieCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 80mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 200IUCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.5mg

Notes

Frost only once the cookies are completely cooled to maintain their delightful appearance. Store unfrosted cookies at room temperature for up to a week.

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