Description
This gingerbread cookie recipe features warm spices and bright citrus icing, making it a simple yet special treat for holidays or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.75 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup brown sugar, packed
- 0.5 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 fresh citrus (lemons or oranges, for zest and juice)
Instructions
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes).
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat in molasses, the large egg, and vanilla extract until well combined and glossy (1-2 minutes).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually Combine Mixtures: Slowly add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined; add 1-2 Tbsp milk if dough is too dry.
- Chill the Dough: Form dough into a disk, wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 days) for best rolling and shape.
- Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 0.25-inch thickness and cut into circles or festive shapes.
- Bake to Perfection: Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 350F (175C) for 8-10 minutes until edges are lightly golden and centers are set.
- Prepare and Apply Icing: While cookies cool, whisk powdered sugar with fresh citrus juice and zest until smooth, then drizzle or spread over cooled cookies.
Notes
Chilling the dough for at least 30 minutes is key for easy rolling and preventing spread. For a quicker method, chilling can be skipped but expect softer cookies. Substitute 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option, or whole wheat pastry flour for a healthy twist.
- Prep Time: 60 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 100 calories
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Keywords: gingerbread, cookies, citrus, iced, holiday, baking, easy, spiced, dessert, family-friendly