Pillowy Soft Gingerbread Cookies Recipe for Holiday Magic

Warm spices and sweet memories dance together in this irresistible soft gingerbread cookies recipe that brings holiday magic right to your kitchen.

These tender, molasses-infused treats capture the essence of cozy winter afternoons.

Rich with warming cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, each cookie promises a delightful burst of festive flavor.

The soft, cake-like texture melts perfectly in your mouth, creating an instant connection to cherished seasonal traditions.

No crisp edges here—just pure, pillowy goodness that speaks directly to your comfort-loving soul.

Baking these cookies fills your home with an aroma so inviting, even the coldest winter day feels instantly warmer.

Let’s unwrap the simple joy of these delectable gingerbread cookies that are sure to become your new favorite holiday tradition.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 9-11 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 22

Ingredients Behind Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and tender crumb, select unbleached flour for best texture and flavor.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
• Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, sweet spiciness, choose high-quality, fragrant ground cinnamon.
• Ground Ginger: Delivers classic gingerbread flavor, opt for freshly ground for maximum taste.
• Ground Cloves: Brings deep, rich warmth to the cookies, use sparingly as it's strongly flavored.
• Sea Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity, fine-grain works best for even distribution.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, tender texture, use room temperature for smooth mixing.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and deep caramel notes, light or dark both work well.
• Molasses: Provides signature gingerbread taste and dark color, choose robust or blackstrap variety.
• Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure, use at room temperature.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile, pure extract offers superior taste.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet topping, sift to remove lumps.
• Milk: Thins and smooths glaze, whole milk provides richer consistency.

Baking Tools for Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• Stand mixer with paddle attachment: Essential for creaming butter and mixing dough smoothly.
• Small bowl: Perfect for whisking dry ingredients together.
• Cookie scoop: Helps create uniform, perfectly sized cookie balls.
• Baking sheet: Large, flat surface for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment paper: Prevents cookies from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Wire rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Whisk: Great for mixing dry ingredients and creating smooth glaze.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.

How to Make Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• Flavor Foundation

Gather all your baking necessities like flour, warm spices, and sweet molasses. This cookie adventure starts with creating a magical blend of ingredients that will transform into delightful treats.

• Butter Blending

Cream together softened butter and rich brown sugar until the mixture becomes light and cloud-like. This step creates the tender heart of your gingerbread cookies.

• Wet Ingredient Harmony

Introduce molasses, egg, and vanilla to your butter mixture. Stir until everything melds into a smooth, silky landscape of deliciousness.

• Dough Preparation

Gently fold dry ingredients into your wet mixture, creating a delectable cookie dough. The key is to mix until just combined, keeping the texture soft and inviting.

• Chill Time

Let your dough rest in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop. This waiting period helps create deeper, more complex cookie magic.

• Baking Moments

Scoop small rounds of chilled dough onto a baking sheet. Bake in a warm oven until edges are slightly golden and tops look perfectly set.

• Cooling and Enjoyment

Allow cookies to cool and settle, transforming from soft dough to delectable treats. Optional glaze can add an extra touch of sweetness for those wanting a little extra indulgence.

Gingerbread Cookie Tweaks You’ll Love

• Baking Hacks & Twists
• Enhance the ginger flavor by adding an extra half teaspoon of ground ginger or mixing in fresh grated ginger for a more vibrant, zesty kick.
• Refrigerate dough longer than an hour for thicker, chewier cookies that hold their shape perfectly during baking.
• Roll cookie dough balls in granulated sugar before baking to create a sparkling, crackly exterior that adds delightful crunch and visual appeal.
• Replace all-purpose flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze unbaked dough balls for spontaneous cookie cravings anytime.

Presenting Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• Holiday Cookie Platter: Create a festive cookie display with these soft gingerbread cookies alongside other seasonal treats like sugar cookies and peppermint swirls for a delightful winter dessert spread.
• Cozy Afternoon Companion: Pair these warm, spicy cookies with a steaming mug of hot chai tea or rich hot chocolate for a comforting afternoon snack that warms both body and soul.
• Kid-Friendly Decorating Station: Set up a fun cookie decorating activity where children can drizzle the optional glaze and sprinkle festive toppings like colored sugar or crushed candy canes on the gingerbread cookies.
• Gifting Flavor: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons as homemade holiday gifts for neighbors, teachers, or friends who appreciate a touch of sweet, spicy nostalgia.

Storage Tips for Soft Gingerbread Cookies

• Cookie Chilling Strategy: Refrigerate dough for minimum 1 hour to enhance flavor depth and prevent cookie spreading during baking.
• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in sealed container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain softness.
• Freezing Friendly Approach: Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls tightly in plastic wrap, store in freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough up to 3 days before baking, keeping it covered in refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to develop and simplifies last-minute cookie preparation.

Magical Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 22 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Homemade soft gingerbread cookies bring warmth from traditional German holiday baking traditions. Molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg create a comforting spice blend you’ll savor with winter tea or coffee.

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Ingredients

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• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 0.5 cup (113 g) butter, softened
• 0.75 cup (170 g) brown sugar, packed
• 1.5 cups (375 ml) all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsps (45 ml) molasses
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 0.75 tsp ground ginger
• 0.5 tsp sea salt
• 0.25 tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup (240 ml) powdered sugar
• 1 to 1.5 tbsps (15 to 22.5 ml) milk

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Instructions

1. Blend Dry Components: Whisk flour, baking soda, warm spices, and sea salt in a mixing bowl until perfectly integrated.
2. Cream Butter Mixture: Whip butter and brown sugar in a stand mixer until light, fluffy, and pale, creating a smooth base.
3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Fold molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until silky and uniform.
4. Form Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet components on low speed, creating a cohesive, tender dough with minimal mixing.
5. Chill Preparation: Wrap dough tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to develop and texture to stabilize.
6. Preheat and Prepare: Warm oven to 350°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for even heat distribution.
7. Shape and Arrange: Roll chilled dough into consistent spheres, placing them strategically on the prepared sheet with ample spacing.
8. Bake to Perfection: Bake cookies until edges turn golden and tops appear set, approximately 9-11 minutes for optimal softness.
9. Cool and Finish: Transfer cookies to a cooling rack, allowing them to set completely, then optionally drizzle with a delicate milk and powdered sugar glaze.

Notes

• Chill the Dough: Refrigeration is crucial for developing rich, complex flavors and preventing cookie spread during baking.
• Consistent Sizing Matters: Use a cookie scoop to ensure uniform cookies that bake evenly and look professionally made.
• Spice Blend Precision: Freshly ground spices intensify the warm, aromatic gingerbread profile, elevating the cookie’s overall taste.
• Cooling Technique: Let cookies rest briefly on the baking sheet to set their structure before transferring to a cooling rack for perfect texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 9-11 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 22
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg