Gingerbread cutouts are a classic holiday treat, perfect for festive gatherings, decorating sessions, or simply enjoying the rich, spiced flavors of the season. The combination of ginger, cinnamon, and molasses gives these cookies their signature warmth and depth of flavor, while their sturdy yet soft texture makes them perfect for cutting into fun shapes. Whether you’re decorating with royal icing or keeping them simple with a dusting of sugar, these cookies are sure to bring holiday cheer and nostalgia to your table.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups gluten-free flour (or regular all-purpose flour)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, beating until fully combined.
- Combine the mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight) to firm up.
- Roll and cut: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes, and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
- Bake: Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and slightly browned. Remove from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once the gingerbread cutouts are completely cool, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or other decorations of your choice.
These gingerbread cutouts are perfect for creating holiday memories, whether you’re baking with family or hosting a cookie decorating party!
