Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comToday marks year three of my annual Cookie Swap! However (plot twist), this year Kyla took the reins and organized the event because I’ve been so busy with our shop. She saved our Christmas tradition (thank you, Kyla!), and I’m super excited to be back for our third year of incredible cookie recipes… it’s basically a virtual cookie exchange between design blogging friends- and you’re invited to our cookie party! Last year I shared my grandmother’s Classic Butter Sugar Cookie recipe that has been in our family for YEARS, and while there is no way I could ever top that recipe, I wanted to share one of my personal favorites (to eat) today… Classic Gingerbread Cookies. I like to have one or two of these with my coffee in the morning during the holidays, but they’re truthfully good any time of day. They also make great seasonal gifts! Click through for the recipe and of course to see what my friends made this year! Kyla organized an awesome group. Enjoy!!

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comI really love spending time in our kitchen baking and cooking, but even more so during the holiday season. I’ll take any excuse to whip up something seasonal! Gingerbread has been around forever, and it’s a traditional Christmas cookie that is quick, easy, and delicious. I prefer a soft gingerbread… and these are just that- the perfect soft texture, the right amount of ginger, and not overly sweet.

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comMy grandmother (not the sugar cookie recipe grandma, but the gingerbread grandma, haha!), used to make gingerbread ALL the time when I was growing up- and even decorate the Christmas tree with them. Today I’m using her mother’s (my great grandma’s) frosting tips that have been handed down generation to generation. I’m also using my grandmother’s vintage rolling pin to make this recipe. I love how nostalgic baking and recipes can be! These cookies remind me of her and our holidays together.

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.com

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.com

Classic Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Holiday Cookie Recipe
5 from 1 vote
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 cookies

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all purpose flour sifted
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp ground ginger
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 6 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp lemon zest finely grated

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well combined.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
  • Next, add the molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well combined.
  • Gradually add in the dry ingredients, 1/2 cup at a time, until totally combined.
  • Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic. Allow the dough to rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare your baking sheets by lining with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
  • Place one portion of dough on a lightly floured surface (I use my countertops). Lightly flour the dough ball, as well as your rolling pin. Roll the dough out evenly until 1/4-inch thick. Use additional flour as needed to avoid sticking. Cut out your cookies with your favorite cookie cutters- I prefer snowflakes because they're fun to decorate.
  • Place the cookies onto your prepared cookie sheet, spaced with at least 1" in between. Bake the cookies for 7-9 minutes... the lower the bake time equals softer cookies. I like to take the cookies out BEFORE they begin to crack on top.
  • Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the sheet until they are firm enough to move to a wire cooling rack.
  • Once the cookies are cool, decorate them however you'd like with your favorite royal icing recipe!
Keyword christmas cookies, cookies, gingerbread, gingerbread cookie, holiday cookies, oreo cookie

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comMy ideal bake time for these cookies is 8 minutes… the lower the bake time equals softer cookies. I prefer to take the cookies out of the oven just BEFORE they begin to crack on top. They look nicer for decorating and have a softer texture, but feel free to bake to your personal preference! They’re easy to adjust, if you like a little crunch.

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comAllow the cookies time to rest and completely cool on a wire rack before decorating with your favorite royal icing. I typically use this royal icing recipe! It’s quick, easy, and dries faster than others.

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comSnowflakes are usually my go-to cookie cutter for this recipe because they’re fun to decorate and difficult to mess up. No two are ever the same, and that’s part of the charm!

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comI typically make 3-4 different cookie recipes each holiday season and create little cookie boxes for our close neighbors. It’s an easy, personal gift that is always appreciated and loved! My cookie boxes are all packed up and ready to distribute this year. Cookies make great gifts!

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comPlease be sure to check out all of my talented friends who participated in the cookie swap blog tour this year! There are SO many delectable recipes you’ll want to click through, save, gorgeous kitchens to see, and charming holiday decor to gawk over. I’m linking them all below…

Cookie Swap : Classic Gingerbread Cookies - roomfortuesday.comGiant thank you to Kyla for organizing the event this year! I had totally given up hope on making it happen this season, but I’m so glad we stuck with the tradition! Happy holidays and cookie baking, my friends.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




12 Comments

  1. Yay cookie swap! Finding new cookie recipes is one of my favorite traditions of the season. I’m currently enjoying one of cocokelley’s from last year. (It’s a gem!) Given a choice, a ginger molasses cookie is my number one pick. Always. I have my Nana’s soft molasses cookie recipe and a chewy orange ginger version, but I don’t ever remember making classic gingerbread. Blame my lazy Leo streak, but rolling cookies seems strenuous!🤣 Your charming snowflakes might just convince me, though! Decorating each one with a slightly different pattern sounds like a creative challenge! I was actually planning on a gingerbread cake with lemon curd for Christmas dinner, so I may as well have a full-on gingerpalooza! Cheers to fun in the kitchen!💜

    1. Woohoo!! Mine too :) Cassandra shares the best recipes. I love a classic ginger cookie- it just tastes like the season: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, YUM. Our house still smells incredible after my baking session yesterday. Your gingerbread cake with lemon curd sounds amazing fantastic. I might have to get that recipe from you. Hope you’re also having some fun in the kitchen this week! xox

  2. Julia@Cuckoo4Design says:

    They look so pretty and so does your kitchen. I’m super excited to be part of this hop today. Merry Christmas

    1. Merry Christmas, Julia! I can’t wait to make your toffee tassies! Thanks for joining us :) xo

  3. 5 stars
    I thoroughly enjoyed going through each one and reading about their recipes. Since I am not good with baking, I wouldn’t mind being a cookie taster with all the delicious cookies each one made!
    Sarah, impressed with the snowflake designs you came up with and making sure each one was different! Talent and lots of patience you have. Was I the only one who could smell your gingerbread cookies while I was reading about them? Must get ready and head to Costco to pick up a chocolate cake for our Christmas dinner dessert. Crossing fingers my family doesn’t protest too loudly about it.

    1. You can be our designated cookie taster, Danna :) Snowflakes are always fun to decorate. I’m far from a professional, but I enjoy making them. Our house does smell amazing! I’m not going to lie- the leftover cookies (for us) that didn’t go into boxes for neighbors, are already gone. I didn’t even get one. haha! Emmett devoured all of them. I might have to make more. Costco has the best cakes! I’m sure your family won’t even notice ;) Just put it on a different plate or cake stand. Haha!

  4. Oh I’m excited for all of these recipes, but truthfully can’t wait to try out your gingerbread cookies. I’m not generally a huge fan of gingerbread, mostly because I like soft cookies. This year I’ve been craving a good gingerbread cookie but haven’t had time to go digging for a recipe. Falala-Sarah to the rescue!!!😜 This one is getting made next year for sure because I won’t have time to make them this season (at least not in time for Christmas).
    I’m equally excited for the toffee tassies and lemon cherry bars! So much cookie goodness to be had in everyone’s posts and I thank each and every one of you for taking the time to put this together for another amazing roundup of recipes! I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

    1. Hahaha, I love it!! Falalala, here is your recipe :) Lol! I can’t wait to try the other recipes. I’ve got the tortellini soup on the menu for tomorrow night- can’t wait to try that, too! Merry Christmas, Lauren!! xo

  5. Such a good lineup! I was looking forward to this annual post. Merry Christmas!

    1. Thanks for reading, Izabela :) Merry Christmas!!

  6. Wow Sarah! Cookies swaps are so fun! Your cookies look amazing 😋 they are so pretty and I bet they taste delightful. I love gingerbread ❤️ I’ll have to give these a try too. Grandma recipes are the best ☺️ And what smells better than yummy cookies in the oven.
    Well maybe a beautiful candle from Tuesday Made 😉 I’m burning the Grove candle as I type and it’s such a gorgeous scent 😍 The package arrived here in perfect condition and the box the candle was in so beautiful 🙏
    I will check out all the other yummy recipes and hopefully improve my baking skills this holiday season 😉 Have a super Christmas and hugs all round!

    1. Thanks Colleen! I’m such a gingerbread fan, too. There is nothing better during the holiday season than cookie baking and filling your house with that gingerbread smell! I’m so happy you like the candle and it arrived safely :) enjoy!! Happy Christmas! xo