Description
These Soft Gingerbread Cookies are a classic holiday treat, featuring warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Crafted to be tender and chewy, they are sweetened with molasses for rich flavor and complemented with a hint of apple cider vinegar for balance. Perfect for cookie exchanges, festive gatherings, or a cozy snack with a cup of tea.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup molasses (NOT blackstrap)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar OR white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 5 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and light brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses, apple cider vinegar, and vanilla extract, ensuring all are thoroughly combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg until evenly mixed.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a cohesive dough forms. The dough should be pliable but firm enough to shape. Chill the dough if it feels too soft to handle.
- Shape and Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll the dough into small balls and space them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten slightly if desired. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the edges are just set but the centers remain soft. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack for best texture.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 50 soft gingerbread cookies, perfect for large gatherings or sharing.
- Molasses should be regular, not blackstrap, to avoid a bitter taste.
- Chilling the dough before baking can help maintain the cookies’ shape and improve texture.
- For a decorative touch, consider adding a dusting of powdered sugar or icing once cooled.