The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with some delicious Polish gingerbread cookies? These cookies are a staple in Polish households during the Christmas season, and for good reason. They’re full of warm spices and have the perfect amount of sweetness. Plus, they make your home smell amazing while they’re baking.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla until well combined.
- Gradually beat in the flour mixture until just combined.
- Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a disk. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 disk of dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes.
- Transfer the cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Nutritional Information
Serving Size: 1 cookie
Calories: 120
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
Sodium: 70mg
Total Carbohydrates: 20g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 10g
Protein: 1g
Cooking Time
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes per batch
Chill Time: 2 hours or overnight
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer
- Plastic wrap
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheets
- Wire racks
Serving Suggestions
These Polish gingerbread cookies are perfect for serving at holiday parties or as a festive treat for your family. Serve them with a cup of hot cocoa or cider for the ultimate cozy experience.
Variations
Want to mix things up? Try adding some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the cookie dough before chilling. You could also drizzle some melted chocolate over the cooled cookies for an extra special touch.
Substitutions
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can substitute honey or maple syrup. You could also use dark corn syrup, although the flavor will be slightly different.
Storage
These cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To keep them fresh for longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Make sure your butter is at room temperature before starting the cookie dough. This will help it cream together with the sugar more easily.
- Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s important to let the dough rest in the fridge so it’s easier to work with and the flavors have a chance to meld together.
- You can use any cookie cutter shape you like for these cookies. Just make sure they’re all roughly the same size so they bake evenly.
Notes
This recipe makes about 36 cookies, depending on the size of your cookie cutters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Polish gingerbread?
Polish gingerbread, or piernik, is a type of spiced cookie that’s popular in Poland during the Christmas season. It’s made with warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, and often includes molasses or honey for sweetness.
Chilling the cookie dough helps it firm up and makes it easier to roll out and cut into shapes. It also allows the flavors to meld together and intensify.
Yes! These cookies can be made up to 1 week in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Polish gingerbread cookies are a must-try during the holidays. They’re packed with warm spices and have just the right amount of sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth. Plus, they’re fun to make and decorate with your family or friends. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself why these cookies are a beloved tradition in Poland.