Ah, the smell of gingerbread cookies wafting through the house during the holidays—there’s just nothing quite like it! Every year, I look forward to gathering my family in the kitchen, rolling out dough, and cutting out festive shapes. It’s a cherished tradition that brings everyone together, and the best part? Decorating those gingerbread cookies decorated in all sorts of colorful icing and sprinkles! Trust me, there’s something magical about transforming those simple brown cookies into little works of art. Plus, the kids love it! They get so creative, and it’s a joy to see their faces light up with each sprinkle they add. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just for fun, these cookies are bound to add a sprinkle of joy to your celebrations!
Ingredients List
Here’s everything you’ll need to whip up a batch of delicious gingerbread cookies decorated. Trust me, gathering these ingredients is half the fun!
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- Royal icing for decoration (you can make it or buy it pre-made!)
Make sure your butter is nice and soft, it helps create that perfect dough consistency! And don’t forget the royal icing—it’s what makes your cookies come to life with color and creativity!
How to Prepare Gingerbread Cookies Decorated
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the fun part—preparing those delightful gingerbread cookies decorated! Follow these steps, and you’ll have a delicious batch in no time.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is crucial because it ensures your cookies bake evenly. No one wants a half-baked cookie, right?
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Make sure everything is well combined; this blend of spices is what gives your cookies that warm holiday flavor!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars
In another bowl, cream the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key—it creates a lovely texture and helps incorporate air into the dough, making your cookies tender and delicious!
Step 4: Combine Wet Ingredients
Add the egg and molasses to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated. The molasses adds a rich flavor and that classic gingerbread color!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add your dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as you want your dough to stay tender and perfect for rolling out.
Step 6: Chill the Dough
Here’s where the magic happens—wrap your dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. Chilling the dough makes it easier to roll out and helps the cookies hold their shape while baking. Trust me, patience is key!
Step 7: Roll and Cut Shapes
Once the dough is chilled, it’s time to roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create festive shapes—stars, gingerbread men, you name it!
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Place the cut-out cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges start to look firm. Keep an eye on them, as you want them to be firm but not overbaked!
Step 9: Cool and Decorate
Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Once fully cooled, it’s time to get creative! Decorate with royal icing and your favorite sprinkles. Just remember, decorating takes patience, but it’s also the most fun part!
Tips for Success
To make sure your gingerbread cookies decorated turn out perfectly, here are a few tips that I swear by! First, when rolling out the dough, ensure your surface and rolling pin are lightly floured to prevent sticking. If the dough gets too warm while you’re working with it, don’t hesitate to pop it back in the fridge for a bit. For baking, keep an eye on the cookies during the last few minutes; they should be just firm to the touch, not too dark. And when it comes to icing, a piping bag can make your designs super precise, but if you don’t have one, a zip-top bag with a corner snipped off works just as well! Lastly, let the icing dry completely before stacking or storing your cookies to avoid smudges. Happy decorating!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the nutritional values for these delightful gingerbread cookies decorated. Keep in mind that these are estimates based on standard ingredients. Each cookie typically contains about 150 calories, with 6 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, and 22 grams of carbohydrates. They also have about 8 grams of sugar, which adds to that sweet holiday flavor we all love. Enjoying one or two of these treats is a delightful way to celebrate the season!
FAQ Section
Can I freeze gingerbread cookies?
Absolutely! Freezing gingerbread cookies is a fantastic way to save some for later. Just make sure they’re completely cooled and then place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature for a couple of hours. No need to bake again—just decorate them as you like once they’re thawed!
What can I use instead of royal icing?
If royal icing isn’t your thing, don’t worry! You can use a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk for a sweeter finish. Just mix about 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of milk until it’s smooth. You can also use melted chocolate, or even store-bought decorating icing tubes, which are super convenient and come in lots of fun colors!
How do I store decorated cookies?
To keep your beautifully decorated gingerbread cookies fresh, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you’ve used royal icing, let the icing dry completely before stacking them. I recommend placing parchment paper between layers to avoid smudging your designs. Properly stored, they can last about a week, but trust me, they won’t last that long! Enjoy them while they’re at their best!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to fall in love with these gingerbread cookies decorated! Here’s why they should be on your holiday baking list:
- Festive Fun: Decorating these cookies is a joyful activity for the whole family, creating wonderful memories together.
- Delicious Flavor: The warm spices of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves create that classic holiday flavor that’s irresistible!
- Customizable: You can use any cookie cutter shape you like, making them perfect for any occasion—think Christmas, Halloween, or even birthdays!
- Perfect for Gifting: These decorated cookies make charming gifts for friends and neighbors, wrapped beautifully in a box or bag.
- Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, even beginner bakers can create gorgeous cookies that taste amazing.
Trust me, once you try these gingerbread cookies decorated, you’ll want to make them a holiday staple!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your gingerbread cookies decorated fresh and tasty, it’s all about proper storage! Once the icing has dried completely, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. This will help maintain their delightful texture and flavor. If you’ve decorated them, be sure to layer them with parchment paper to prevent any smudges on your beautiful designs. They’ll stay fresh for about a week, but I doubt they’ll last that long!
If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare!), you can also freeze them. Just place the cookies in a single layer in a freezer-safe bag or container, and they’ll keep well for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply let them thaw at room temperature. There’s no need to reheat these cookies; they’re perfect enjoyed straight from the container!
Print
Gingerbread Cookies Decorated: 7 Joyful Steps to Delight
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious gingerbread cookies decorated for festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
- Royal icing for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In another bowl, cream butter and sugars until light.
- Add egg and molasses to the butter mixture, mixing well.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Chill the dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll out the dough and cut into shapes.
- Place on baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
- Let cool before decorating with royal icing.
Notes
- Store cookies in an airtight container.
- Use a variety of cookie cutters for different shapes.
- Allow icing to dry completely before stacking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: gingerbread cookies, decorated cookies, holiday baking
