Are you craving the warm, spicy flavors of gingerbread cookies but don't have molasses in your pantry? Get ready to revolutionize your holiday baking with this incredibly simple and delicious recipe that proves you don't need traditional ingredients to create mouthwatering cookies! These gingerbread cookies are about to become your new favorite seasonal treat, packed with rich, aromatic spices and a perfect balance of sweetness that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24 cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 large egg
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and ensure they are at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt until well combined and no lumps remain.
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add the honey and egg to the butter mixture. Beat until completely incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Cover the dough and refrigerate for 30 minutes to make it easier to handle and prevent spreading during baking.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.
- Transfer the cut cookies to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the centers are set but still soft.
- Remove from the oven and let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optional: Once cooled, decorate with royal icing or sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Tips
- Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and consistency.
- Chill the dough for at least 30 minutes to prevent spreading and make rolling easier.
- Use a light touch when rolling out the dough to keep cookies tender.
- Don't overbake - the cookies should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven.
- For extra festive cookies, invest in fun holiday-themed cookie cutters.
- Let cookies cool completely before decorating to prevent icing from melting.
- Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness and soft texture.
- Experiment with different spice levels to find your perfect flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 120kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 5g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 15mg
