Classic Cut-Out Gingerbread Cookies: Perfect for Decorating!

Looking for the best gingerbread cookie recipe? These classic cut-outs are perfect for decorating & hold their shape! Get my tips for no-spread cookies.

May 26, 2025
By Marcus O’Neill.

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Alright, let's dive into a recipe that's close to my heart. Ever wondered what the holidays actually taste like?

Classic Cut-Out Gingerbread Cookies: Perfect for Decorating!

Quick Hook

Honestly, is it even christmas without gingerbread cookie recipe ? this spicy, sweet treat isn't just a cookie; it's a festive experience.

Imagine the smell wafting through your kitchen. that's what we're aiming for!

Brief Overview

These cookies have been around for ages. every culture has its own version of ginger baking recipes . they're a tradition! this gingerbread cookie recipe is medium difficulty.

It needs some love. the prep takes about 25 mins. the chilling takes 2 hours. the baking, only 8- 12 mins.

You'll get about 24-36 cookies. perfect for sharing.

Main Benefits

Ginger isn't just tasty; it's good for you too! hello, anti-inflammatory benefits! these cookies are perfect for any christmas baking recipes , especially for decorating.

What makes this gingerbread special? the perfect balance of spice and sweetness. it is an easy bake christmas treats

Classic Cut-Out Gingerbread Cookies: Perfect for Decorating! Recipe Card

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Preparation time:02 Hrs 25 Mins

Cooking time:10 Mins

Servings:24-36 cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 teaspoon baking soda (5g)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger (2g)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2g)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (1g)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (0.5g)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (3g)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick/113g) unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup (150g) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120ml) molasses, unsulfured
• 1 large egg (approximately 50g), lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5ml)
• Royal icing (homemade or store-bought)
• Sprinkles, candies, etc. (optional)

Instructions:

• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
• Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract until well combined.
• Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Divide and Chill: Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disc, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 2 hours (or overnight).
• Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Roll and Cut: On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters.
• Bake: Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, leaving a little space between each. Bake for 8-12 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden brown.
• Cool: Let cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Decorate: Once cookies are completely cool, decorate with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.

Let's Talk Ingredients

So, what goes into these amazing cookies?

• For the Dough:
  • You'll need 3 cups of all-purpose flour.
  • Then 1 tsp of baking soda.
  • Don't forget 1 tsp each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp of cloves. A touch of nutmeg with 1/4 tsp.
  • And 1/2 tsp of salt.
  • We'll need 1/2 cup of softened butter.
  • Plus 3/4 cup of packed brown sugar.
  • And 1/2 cup of molasses.
  • One egg.
  • A dash of vanilla with 1 tsp.
• For Decorating:
  • Royal icing.
  • Sprinkles for that festive sparkle.

Alright, let's dive into what you need to whip up this amazing gingerbread cookie recipe ! Honestly, having the right ingredients and tools makes all the difference.

Ingredients & Equipment: Gingerbread Magic Starts Here!

Think of this as your shopping list for cookie perfection. We're aiming for cookies that hold their shape. That means careful measurements.

Main Ingredients

Okay, get your measuring cups ready. Here’s what you'll need:

• All-Purpose Flour: 3 cups (375g) . This is your base.
• Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon (5g) . Gives them lift.
• Ground Ginger: 1 teaspoon (2g) . Hello, ginger flavour!
• Ground Cinnamon: 1 teaspoon (2g) . Warmth, pure and simple.
• Ground Cloves: ½ teaspoon (1g) . Adds a touch of spice.
• Ground Nutmeg: ¼ teaspoon (0.5g) . A little something extra.
• Salt: ½ teaspoon (3g) . Balances the sweet.
• Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick/113g) , softened. Don’t melt it!
• Packed Brown Sugar: ¾ cup (150g) . Adds moisture and depth.
• Unsulfured Molasses: ½ cup (120ml) . The key to gingerbread ! If you are trying to find a way to use it, then try our corn beard recipes , and don't let it go to waste!.
• Large Egg: 1 (about 50g), lightly beaten. Binds it all together.
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (5ml) . Just a hint.
• Royal Icing (store-bought or homemade).
• Sprinkles, candies, etc. (optional).

For the butter, make sure it's actually softened, not melted. you want it creamy, not oily. the molasses should be unsulfured ; it has a cleaner flavor.

Honestly, good molasses makes a huge difference.

Seasoning Notes

Spices are your friends here. Don't be shy!

• Essential Spice Combo: Ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. This is the classic gingerbread blend.
• Aromatics: Vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor.
• Substitutions: If you are trying to find Ginger Baking Recipes , and you don't have cloves, try a pinch of allspice!

Also, if you are looking for more Autumn Baking Recipes Easy , try adding a pinch of cardamom.

Equipment Needed

Let’s keep it simple, shall we?

• Mixing Bowls: For mixing wet and dry ingredients.
• Electric Mixer: Handheld or stand mixer will do.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy is key!
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough.
• Cookie Cutters: For those festive shapes! These easy bake christmas treats are always a big hit.
• Baking Sheets: Line them with parchment paper or silicone mats.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents sticking.
• Spatula: To transfer cookies.

Don’t have a rolling pin? a clean wine bottle works in a pinch! no cookie cutters? a knife and a steady hand can do the trick.

For simple fall dinner recipes using a clean mason jar is a great option.

I remember one time, i forgot to buy cookie cutters. i used the top of a glass and made circles.

They were still delicious! you know? the goal is just to have a fun time. these could also be perfect winter dinner recipes easy if you enjoy these flour bakery recipes .

Classic Cut-Out Gingerbread Cookies: Perfect for Decorating!

Honestly, who doesn't love gingerbread cookies? i mean, they’re practically synonymous with christmas, right? my grandma used to make them every year, and the whole house would smell like cinnamon and ginger.

These classic gingerbread cookies are perfect, whether you fancy a simple fall dinner recipe , or a festive treat. this recipe is the perfect way to capture that nostalgia and create your own memories.

It's a medium difficulty bake, so get your apron on!

Prep Steps: Your Mise en Place Mission

Okay, let's get organised. this is the essential mise en place bit. first, measure out all your ingredients. you need 3 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon each of ground ginger and cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of cloves, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

For the wet stuff, grab 1/2 cup of softened butter, 3/4 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of molasses, 1 large egg , and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.

Now, let's talk safety: watch those hot ovens, guys!

Bake your Way to Gingerbread Perfection!

Right, here’s the step-by-step to gingerbread glory!

1. Dry time. Whisk together all the dry ingredients in a big bowl.
2. Cream time. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
3. Wet time. Beat in molasses, egg, and vanilla.
4. Combine time. Gradually add the dry to the wet. Don’t overmix!
5. Chill time. Divide and chill for at least 2 hours . Trust me, don't skip this part!
6. Preheat time. Preheat oven to 350° F ( 175° C) . Get your baking sheets ready.
7. Roll time. Roll the dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut out shapes.
8. Bake time! Bake for 8- 12 minutes . Look for light golden edges.

Once the cookies are baked, cooling them on a wire rack is important so that they stay crisp and do not continue cooking.

Pro Tips for Gingerbread Geniuses

Honestly? chilling the dough is non-negotiable! it stops them spreading. don't overmix! it can toughen the gingerbread cookie recipe . plus, cool them completely before decorating.

I speak from experience here, guys; warm cookies + icing = disaster. another great ginger baking recipe tip, is to experiment with spices.

Try adding a pinch of cardamom for a little extra warmth.

The best thing about this autumn baking recipes easy , baking recipes for christmas , or even for just easy bake christmas treats, flour bakery recipes , winter dinner recipes easy , and even for potential corn beard recipes , is the memories made while decorating them and enjoying them together as a family and even as best fall treats .

Alright, let's talk about these amazing gingerbread cookies even more. so, you’ve got your gingerbread cookie recipe down, right? but before you dive in, a few extra notes to really nail it.

These are from some mistakes i made over the years. let’s not repeat them, okay?

Recipe Notes

Serving Suggestions

Think about presentation! these easy bake christmas treats deserve some flair. arrange your decorated cookies on a pretty platter. or try stacking them with parchment paper between each layer.

They make amazing gifts! i've served them with a dollop of whipped cream. honestly, they also rock with a simple glass of milk.

Spiced cider? yes, please! these would go great on a plate next to a lovely winter dinner recipes easy .

Storage Tips

Alright, so you’ve baked a batch of these bad boys. how do you keep them fresh? for refrigeration, store them in an airtight container.

They'll last for up to a week. if you're planning ahead, freezing is your best bet. layer them between parchment paper in a freezer-safe container.

They'll last for up to 3 months. to reheat, just let them thaw at room temperature. you will get soft, delicious cookies.

Variations

Want to shake things up? for a dairy-free version, use plant-based butter. it works like a charm! another cool idea is seasonal ingredient swaps .

Think about adding orange zest in the fall or maybe a little cardamom for a different kind of spice.

Nutrition Basics

Okay, let's be real. these are cookies. but, they do have some good stuff! ginger is great for digestion, you know? and a little spice is good for the soul.

Each cookie has about 120-150 calories. it also contains around 1g of protein, 5g of fat, 18g of carbohydrates, and 8g of sugar.

Remember, these are estimates. it’s all about enjoying them in moderation. think of them like other best fall treats

Alright then! Whether you’re an expert baker, or just looking for some Autumn Baking Recipes Easy , this gingerbread cookie recipe is your go-to. Bake, decorate, and enjoy!