Description
These Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Cinnamon Icing are tender, warmly spiced, and perfect for the holiday season. Made with molasses and a blend of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, these cookies offer a rich, festive flavor and a soft, chewy texture. Finished with a sweet cinnamon icing, they’re easy to decorate and make a delightful addition to any holiday cookie tray or winter gathering.
Ingredients
- 1 cup melted butter, cooled
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 2/3 cup molasses (unsulphured preferred)
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Dash of ground cinnamon (for icing)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter and granulated sugar until smooth.
- Add the eggs and molasses; mix until fully combined.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt until a soft dough forms.
- On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/2 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut into desired shapes.
- Place cut-out cookies onto prepared baking sheets, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are just set and lightly golden. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- For the icing, mix powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth.
- Dip cooled cookies into the icing or spread with a spatula. Let icing set and harden before serving or storing.
Notes
- Use unsulphured molasses for the best flavor—avoid blackstrap, which is too bitter.
- No chilling required, but a short chill can help if dough feels too soft to roll.
- Let cookies cool fully before icing to prevent melting the glaze.
- Store with parchment between layers to avoid sticking if icing is applied.
- For stronger spice flavor, add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
