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Classic Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cookies

There's nothing quite like the warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread baking in the oven during the holidays! These cookies are perfectly spiced with ginger, cinnamon, and molasses, giving them that classic flavor we all remember from childhood. They're sturdy enough for decorating but tender enough to melt in your mouth.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 37 minutes
Servings: 36 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • ¾ cup 1½ sticks unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Method
 

  1. Cream together the butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  2. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
  3. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves, and salt.
  4. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
  5. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  7. Roll dough out on a floured surface to ¼-inch thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are firm. Cool on the pan for 3 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack. Decorate with royal icing when completely cool.