Frosted Gingerbread Cookies are a sweet holiday treat! These chewy cookies are packed with warm spices like ginger and cinnamon, giving them a cozy flavor. The yummy frosting on top just makes them sweeter!
Who can resist the fun of decorating these cookies? I love getting creative with sprinkles. They’re also perfect for sharing—just watch out, they might disappear fast! 😂
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: A key base for any cookie, it gives structure. If gluten-free, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a different texture.
Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds moisture and a lovely caramel flavor. If you run out, use white sugar mixed with a tablespoon of molasses for a similar taste.
Molasses: This ingredient gives the gingerbread its deep color and flavor. Dark corn syrup can be a good substitute, but it will change the taste slightly.
Spices: Ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg are traditional for gingerbread. If you want a twist, add a pinch of cardamom or allspice for extra flavor.
Butter: Using unsalted butter helps control the saltiness. If needed, use a dairy-free alternative for a vegan version.
How Do I Get My Cookies to Hold Their Shape?
Chilling the dough is super important! It helps the butter firm up, which prevents spreading while baking. Here are some tips:
- Divide the dough into disks and wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour, or even overnight for better results.
- Roll the dough out on a floured surface and aim for an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
- Use cookie cutters to get your shapes quickly, and keep the chilled dough as you work.
- Don’t skip the cooling step after baking; this gives the cookies time to set and stay firm!
Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Gingerbread Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3-4 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or almond extract
- Food coloring (optional: blue, red, etc.)
For Decoration:
- Multicolored small round sprinkles
- Piping bags fitted with small round tips for details
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe requires about 1 hour of preparation time, including chilling the dough, and around 10-12 minutes for baking. Give your cookies a little time to cool before decorating, and allow the frosting to set, which can take about 30 minutes. In total, you can have these festive treats ready in roughly 2 hours!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Make the Cookie Dough:
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, packed brown sugar, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and salt. In another bowl, beat the softened butter with molasses, the egg, and vanilla extract until the mixture is nice and smooth. Now, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing them until you get a beautiful, uniform dough. Divide the dough into two disks, wrap each one in plastic wrap, and pop them into the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour.
2. Prepare to Bake:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, line your baking sheets with parchment paper to prevent the cookies from sticking.
3. Roll and Cut Cookies:
On a lightly floured surface, take one disk of the chilled dough and roll it out to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a large round cookie cutter (around 3.5 to 4 inches in diameter) to cut out circles. Gently transfer these cookie cutouts to the prepared baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches of space between each cookie.
4. Bake:
Now it’s time to bake! Place the baking sheets in the oven and bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set and just beginning to brown. Once they’re done, let the cookies cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, then carefully transfer them to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
5. Prepare the Frosting:
Let’s whip up the frosting! In a medium bowl, mix the sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until you’ve got a smooth and spreadable consistency. If you’d like colored frosting, separate it into smaller bowls and add your desired food coloring now.
6. Decorate the Cookies:
Spread a nice thick layer of the white frosting onto each cooled cookie. Get creative! Use piping bags with fine tips to pipe out icing designs of gingerbread houses, doors, windows, and trees on top of the frosting base. To add some festive flair, immediately sprinkle multicolored small round sprinkles around your designs to mimic colorful decorations. Let the frosting and decorations set at room temperature before moving on.
7. Serve and Enjoy:
Once your frosting has firmed up, it’s time to serve these festive frosted gingerbread cookies! Enjoy them with family and friends, or keep any leftovers stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Perfect for holiday celebrations!
Can I Use Whole Wheat Flour Instead of All-Purpose Flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for all-purpose flour! However, the cookies may be denser and have a slightly nuttier flavor. You might want to mix half whole wheat and half all-purpose for the best texture.
Can I Freeze the Cookie Dough?
Absolutely! You can freeze the wrapped dough for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before rolling it out and baking. This way, you can always have fresh cookies on hand!
How Do I Thin the Frosting If It’s Too Thick?
If your frosting is too thick, just add a tiny bit more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Be careful not to add too much at once so that it doesn’t become runny!
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftover Cookies?
Store your frosted gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them without frosting, then add the frosting when you’re ready to serve!
