Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
A delightful holiday treat that fills your kitchen with warm, spicy scents and is perfect for festive gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cookies
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour A comforting staple that provides the foundation for your cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda Ensures your cookies rise beautifully.
- 2 tablespoons ground ginger Provides that signature warm spice.
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon Adds delightful warmth and sweetness.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves For an aromatic edge.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened Makes your dough rich and tender.
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar Sweetens and caramelizes during baking.
- 1 large egg Binds the ingredients together.
- 1/2 cup molasses Offers a deep, slightly bitter-sweet flavor.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adds a touch of warmth and sweetness.
For the Royal Icing
- 2 large egg whites Crucial for creating your royal icing.
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar Sweetens and thickens your icing.
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice Enhances the flavor of the icing and stabilizes it.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar together until fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, followed by the molasses and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Baking
- Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out fun shapes.
- Place the cutouts on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a wire rack before decorating.
Icing
- Beat the egg whites, powdered sugar, and lemon juice together until stiff peaks form.
- Decorate your cooled cookies with the royal icing and let them set for 1-2 hours before serving.
Notes
Chill your dough for at least an hour to help it keep its shape. For a softer cookie, slightly reduce baking time.