Gingerbread Cookies

By
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 06/15/21
Easy gingerbread cookies recipe

The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Refrigeration: 60 mins
Total: 85 mins
Servings: 3 to 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
921 Calories
31g Fat
149g Carbs
12g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 921
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 31g 40%
Saturated Fat 18g 88%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 642mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 149g 54%
Dietary Fiber 4g 13%
Total Sugars 74g
Protein 12g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 258mg 20%
Iron 8mg 42%
Potassium 862mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

These gingerbread cookies are as delicious to eat as they are fun to make. Don't be surprised if your kids like these more than regular sugar cookies—it's probably because the gingerbread people seem to have a bit of personality. Use whatever decorations you have on hand. Red and green striped white chocolate chips, for example, make terrific buttons for these gingerbread men.

Ingredients

For the Cookies:

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

  • 1/2 cup molasses

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger

  • 1 teaspoons ground cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

For the Decorations:

  • Gel icing

  • M&M's, or striped white chocolate chips

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for gingerbread cookies
    The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy.

    Beat the butter
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  3. Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla. Beat well.

    Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  4. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

    Sift together flour, baking soda
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  5. Stir into the wet ingredients until well-incorporated (you can do this with your hands).

    Stir wet ingredients
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  6. Separate the dough into three pieces. Form into logs and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

    Separate the dough
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  7. When ready to bake, remove dough from oven and preheat oven to 350 F.

  8. Roll dough out to a thickness of 1/4-inch. Use cookie cutters to make gingerbread people. Bake 8 to 10 minutes.

    Roll dough out
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic

  9. Let cool and decorate.

    Let cool
    ​The Spruce / Katarina Zunic