Baking & Pastry > Cookies > Rolled & Cut-Out Cookies > Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Spiced Gingerbread People
A delightful gingerbread recipe to make adorable gingerbread people. Enhanced with aromatic spices, these cookies are fun to bake, decorate, and enjoy with family and friends.
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup Molasses
- 1 Egg
Combining Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
Creaming Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. This creates a smooth base for the cookie dough.
Adding Wet Ingredients
Beat in the molasses and egg until well combined. Ensure everything is properly mixed to avoid uneven texture.
Mixing Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure tender cookies.
Chilling the Dough
Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 3 hours, or overnight. This helps the dough hold its shape when baking.
Rolling and Cutting Shapes
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disk of dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Baking
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Decorating
Once the cookies are completely cool, decorate with royal icing, candies, or other desired decorations. Have fun creating unique gingerbread people!
FAQ
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Can I use other spices in this recipe?
Yes, you can adjust the spices to your preference. A pinch of ground cardamom or allspice would also work well. -
How can I make the icing for decorating?
A simple royal icing can be made by whisking together powdered sugar with a small amount of milk or water until it reaches a pipeable consistency. Add food coloring as desired. -
How long will the decorated gingerbread people last?
The decorated gingerbread people will last for up to a week in an airtight container at room temperature. The icing may harden over time, so it's best to enjoy them sooner rather than later.