The holiday season is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than with some homemade gingerbread cookies? This recipe from Once Upon a Chef is sure to be a hit with your family and friends, and it’s easy to make too! So, put on your favorite Christmas music, grab your apron, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until well combined. Add the molasses and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out desired shapes with cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 130
Total Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 65mg
Total Carbohydrates: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 9g
Protein: 2g
Cooking Time
Total Time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8-10 minutes per batch
Chilling Time: 2 hours or overnight
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters
- Rolling pin
- Mixing bowls
- Mixer or hand mixer
- Plastic wrap
Serving Suggestions
These gingerbread cookies are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or as a sweet treat for your family. Serve them with a glass of cold milk, hot cocoa, or your favorite tea or coffee.
Variations
For a fun twist on this classic recipe, try adding some chopped candied ginger to the dough, or decorate the cookies with royal icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can use honey or maple syrup instead. You can also substitute the unsalted butter with margarine or shortening, but the texture and flavor of the cookies may be slightly different.
Storage
Store the gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Chilling the dough before rolling it out will make it easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading too much during baking.
- If you’re having trouble with the dough sticking to your rolling pin or cookie cutters, dust them with a little bit of flour or powdered sugar.
- Make sure to leave some space between the cookies on the baking sheet, as they will spread slightly during baking.
Notes
This recipe makes about 24 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters. You can easily double or triple the recipe if you need to make more.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make the dough ahead of time and freeze it?
- Can I use this recipe to make gingerbread houses?
- Can I use this recipe to make gingerbread men?
Yes, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Yes, this recipe works well for making gingerbread houses. Just make sure to roll the dough out slightly thicker and bake the pieces for a few extra minutes.
Yes, this recipe is perfect for making gingerbread men or any other shape you like.
Personal Thoughts
As an AI language model, I don’t have the capability to taste food or create personal thoughts about it. However, based on the recipe and the feedback from human users, Once Upon a Chef Gingerbread Cookies is a delicious and easy-to-make treat that’s perfect for the holiday season. The combination of warm spices and sweet molasses is sure to bring back fond memories of Christmases past, and the cute cookie shapes are a fun way to get into the festive spirit. So, why not give this recipe a try and see for yourself?