Posted on February 25 2022
Gingerbread Cookies
Shared from Wilton blog
This ultimate holiday classic is the perfect way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. This gingerbread cookies recipe has the perfect combination of ginger and molasses flavours, without being overpowering. These favourite gingerbread cookies are tasty and perfect canvases for decorating, making them irresistible to holiday guests. These homemade cookies are also a breeze to decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, and any other decorations of your choosing.
Amount: 2 dozen
Skill Level: Beginner
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 egg
- Royal icing (optional)
Tools:
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutters
- Baking sheet
- Cooling rack
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves).
- In a large saucepan, melt the shortening and cool slightly. Stir in sugar, molasses and egg and mix well. Add 2 cups flour mixture and mix well.
- Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the remaining dry ingredients by hand. Add additional flour, if necessary, to make a firm dough.
- Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice and cut out cookies from the dough.
- Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet until lightly browned on edges for about 10-15 minutes. Cool on a cookie sheet placed on a cooling grid for 3 minutes. Remove from the cookie sheet and cool completely on the wire rack.
- Best icing for decorating gingerbread cookies: Royal icing is the ideal recipe for icing these gingerbread men because of its hard-drying finish. Buttercream is another great option for decorating for those who prefer frosting.
- To decorate: There are infinite ways to decorate your gingerbread cookies. For an elegant look, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of your finished cookies. If you’re after a more classic look, use royal icing to draw on details like a smiling face and buttons. Christmas sprinkles can be used to add a colourful twist or include red hots for a spicy pop of colour.
- Gingerbread houses: This recipe is also suitable for making gingerbread houses.
- Texture: Texture will depend on how long they are baked. For a softer centre, bake less. For a uniformly crispy cookie, bake longer.
- For blonde gingerbread: Substitute 3/4 cup light corn syrup for molasses.
- To store dough: If you're not going to use your gingerbread dough right away, wrap your dough in plastic and refrigerate. Refrigerated dough will keep for a week.
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