Quick & Jolly Gingerbread Cookies With Lemon Frosting Recipe

Gingerbread cookies transport us to a world of warm, spicy comfort that dances between sweet and zingy memories.

These delightful treats blend robust, aromatic spices with a soft, inviting texture that whispers of festive traditions.

Traditional gingerbread carries complex layers of flavor, balancing rich molasses with a vibrant blend of ground spices that awaken every taste bud.

Crafted with care, these cookies offer a delectable experience that bridges childhood nostalgia and sophisticated culinary craftsmanship.

Each bite promises a harmonious mix of warmth and brightness, creating a sensory journey through familiar yet exciting taste profiles.

Baking these cookies fills your kitchen with an irresistible fragrance that beckons family and friends to gather.

Gingerbread Cookies with a Zesty Lemon Finish

• Burst with Festive Spice Explosion: These gingerbread cookies pack an incredible punch of warm, complex spices like ginger, allspice, cardamom, and cinnamon that dance together in perfect harmony, creating a mouth-watering holiday sensation.
• Elevate with Zesty Lemon Twist: The bright, tangy lemon frosting provides a surprising and refreshing contrast to the deep, rich spices of the cookie, transforming a classic treat into a gourmet delight that tingles your taste buds.
• Whip Up Stress-Free Deliciousness: With straightforward mixing methods and simple ingredients, this recipe welcomes bakers of all skill levels, making it easy to create professional-looking cookies that seem like they came from a fancy bakery in just about 30 minutes.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Treat: Perfect for holiday gatherings, cookie exchanges, or cozy weekend baking, these cookies offer a delightful blend of traditional warmth and modern flavor that will impress family and friends alike.

Ingredients for Zingy Gingerbread Treats

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the gingerbread cookies, soft and fine-textured flour works best.
• Ground Ginger, Ground Allspice, Ground Cardamom, Ground Cinnamon: Warm spices that create classic gingerbread flavor profile, fresh and high-quality spices recommended.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and become light, ensure it's fresh for best results.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Butter, Brown Sugar: Creates rich, tender cookie base with deep caramel undertones, use unsalted butter for better control.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and add moisture, room temperature eggs mix more smoothly.
• Molasses: Provides signature dark color and deep flavor characteristic of gingerbread, robust molasses preferred.

• Cream Cheese, Confectioners' Sugar: Smooth, creamy frosting base with perfect sweetness, full-fat cream cheese recommended.
• Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice: Adds bright, citrusy flavor that complements gingerbread spices, fresh lemons yield best taste.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out frosting flavor, pure vanilla extract preferred over artificial.

Instructions for Soft and Chewy Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Get your baking space ready for some delicious cookie magic.

Step 2: Create the Cookie Base

• Butter
• Brown sugar

Cream these together until they become light and fluffy, mixing for 5-7 minutes. Bring in the eggs and molasses, blending them smoothly into the mixture.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Ground ginger
• Baking soda
• Ground allspice
• Ground cardamom
• Ground cinnamon
• Lemon zest
• Salt

Whisk these ingredients until they’re well combined.

Step 4: Combine the Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture into the creamed butter mixture. Mix until you have a perfect cookie dough.

Step 5: Shape and Prepare Cookies

Roll the dough into 1-inch balls. Place them 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the cookies into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Look for cracked tops as your signal they’re ready.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the cookies rest for 2 minutes in the pan. Transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 8: Whip Up the Lemon Frosting

• Confectioners' sugar
• Lemon zest
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the frosting is smooth and creamy.

Step 9: Frost and Store

Generously spread the lemon frosting over each cooled cookie. Store the finished cookies in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Smart Baking Tips for Spiced Cookies

• Chill the Dough: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and maintain crisp edges.
• Achieve Uniform Cookies: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create consistent-sized balls for even baking.
• Control Baking Time: Watch cookies closely during the last few minutes to prevent over-browning, as they should have a slightly soft center.
• Zest Technique: Use a microplane grater for fine, fragrant lemon zest that distributes evenly in both cookie and frosting.
• Frosting Consistency: Let cookies cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and ensure a smooth, clean decoration.

Storage for Maximum Freshness

• Refrigeration: Store gingerbread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep them chilled for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicate lemon frosting.
• Freezing: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months, preserving their rich, spicy flavor and creamy lemon topping.
• Reheating: Thaw frozen cookies at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. For a fresh-from-the-oven warmth, microwave each cookie for 10-15 seconds, which will slightly soften the frosting and enhance the cookie's aromatic spices.

What to Sip Alongside Lemon-Frosted Gingerbread

• Pair with Creamy Chai Tea: The warm, spicy notes of chai perfectly complement the gingerbread's rich, aromatic spices. Its smooth, milky texture balances the zesty lemon frosting.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop a cold, creamy serving alongside these cookies. The cool, sweet vanilla softens the cookie's bold ginger kick and enhances the tangy lemon frosting.
• Serve with Spiced Mulled Wine: This warm, fragrant beverage echoes the cookie's complex spice profile. Its deep, wine-based warmth creates a cozy flavor harmony with the gingerbread and bright lemon notes.
• Complement with Caramel Macchiato: The sweet, buttery caramel and smooth espresso provide a luxurious counterpoint to the cookie's spicy-citrus character. Its rich undertones highlight the cookie's depth of flavor.

Icing and Spice Variations to Try

• Spiced Orange Glow: Replace lemon zest with orange zest in both cookie and frosting for a warming citrus profile that complements the ginger's rich spiciness.
• Chocolate-Dipped Winter Charm: After cooling cookies, partially dip each cookie in melted dark chocolate, then drizzle with white chocolate for an elegant finish.
• Nutty Ginger Crunch: Fold chopped pecans or almonds into the cookie dough for added texture and nutty depth, enhancing the gingerbread's complex flavor.
• Maple Cream Topping: Substitute part of the confectioners' sugar with maple syrup in the frosting, creating a deeper, more rustic sweetness that pairs beautifully with the spiced cookies.

Gingerbread Cookies With Lemon Frosting Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Classic gingerbread cookies get a zesty upgrade with tangy lemon frosting. Warm spices and citrusy sweetness combine into an irresistible holiday treat that will delight guests and spark festive memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Dry Ingredients:

• 2–½ cups confectioners’ sugar

Dairy and Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), preparing a clean baking workspace.
2. In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter and brown sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, approximately 5-7 minutes using an electric mixer.
3. Incorporate eggs and molasses into the butter mixture, mixing until completely combined and uniform in texture.
4. In a separate bowl, meticulously whisk together all dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, ground ginger, baking soda, ground allspice, ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, lemon zest, and salt.
5. Gradually integrate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth, cohesive cookie dough forms.
6. Gently roll the dough into uniform 1-inch (2.54 centimeters) spheres, positioning them approximately 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) apart on ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, watching for characteristic surface cracking.
8. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to rest on the baking sheet for 2 minutes to stabilize.
9. Transfer cookies to wire cooling racks, permitting them to cool completely to room temperature.
10. For the lemon frosting, whip cream cheese in a clean bowl until light and fluffy.
11. Add confectioners’ sugar, fresh lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, blending until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency.
12. Generously frost each cooled cookie with the lemon cream cheese mixture.
13. Store frosted cookies in an airtight container within the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Elevate your holiday baking with these spice-packed gingerbread cookies that burst with warming, aromatic flavors.
• Creaming butter and sugar thoroughly creates a light, tender texture that makes these cookies melt in your mouth.
• Ground spices like ginger, allspice, cardamom, and cinnamon deliver a complex, rich taste profile that transforms ordinary cookies.
• Rolling dough into uniform 1-inch balls ensures even baking and consistent cookie sizes for professional-looking results.
• Tangy lemon frosting adds a bright, zesty counterpoint to the deep, warm gingerbread base, creating a perfectly balanced sweet treat.
• Store cookies in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and preserve the delicate cream cheese frosting’s smooth consistency.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 85 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 25 mg
• Fat: 3 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg