Gingerbread cookies

Posted in Baking Chronicles !

The warm and spicy aroma of gingerbread spices, including ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, is synonymous with the holiday season. Baking gingerbread cookies fills the home with a comforting and festive fragrance.

Here’s a gingerbread cookie recipe scaled for about 12 people:

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

Preheat Oven:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Combine Dry Ingredients:

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. Set aside.

Cream Butter and Sugar:

  • In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Add Wet Ingredients:

  • Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix until well combined.

Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:

  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.

Chill the Dough:

  • Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Roll and Cut:

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread shapes using cookie cutters.

Bake:

  • Place the cut-out cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are slightly firm.
  • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Decorate (Optional):

  • Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can decorate them with icing, candies, or sprinkles as desired.

Serve:

  • Enjoy your delicious gingerbread cookies with friends and family!

Feel free to get creative with your decorations and make the gingerbread cookies festive for the occasion. Happy baking!