These frosted gingerbread cookies are soft, spiced, and just sweet enough to make your taste buds dance with joy! Perfect for decorating with friends or family during the holidays.
I love how the icing adds a fun touch—nothing like a little drizzle to make things festive! Plus, they smell amazing while baking. Who doesn’t love a cozy kitchen? 🎉
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookies. If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Brown sugar: It adds moisture and richness to the cookies. If you’re out, you can substitute with granulated sugar combined with a tablespoon of molasses.
Molasses: This gives the gingerbread its characteristic flavor and color. If you don’t have it, honey or maple syrup can work in a pinch, but the flavor will change slightly.
Spices: Ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves are key. If you’re missing one, gingerbread spice mix can be used as a substitute. Just adjust the quantity to taste.
Frosting: Instead of milk, you can use cream for a richer frosting or even almond milk for a dairy-free option.
How Do I Get My Cookies to Look Perfectly Frosted?
Frosting your cookies beautifully can seem tricky, but it’s all about the technique! Here’s how to master it:
- Ensure your cookies are completely cool before frosting. Warm cookies can melt the frosting.
- For spreading, use a knife or an offset spatula. For piping, a piping bag or a zip-top bag with the corner trimmed works well.
- If you’re using powdered sugar for your frosting, remember it thickens quickly. Adjust the milk gradually for your desired consistency.
- Don’t be afraid to layer your decoration! Add sprinkles right after frosting, so they stick well without needing additional moisture.
With just a little practice, your gingerbread cookies will look as festive as they taste!
Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Cookies:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For Decoration:
- Red, yellow, and white sprinkles (or any fall-themed sprinkles)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and about 10-12 minutes to bake. Once the cookies cool, you’ll spend around another 15 minutes frosting and decorating them. Total time: approximately 1 hour, including cooling and setting time. Perfect for a festive baking day!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping for Baking:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This helps prevent the cookies from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze!
2. Mixing the Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first ensures an even distribution of flavors throughout your dough.
3. Creaming the Butter:
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy and smooth. Then, add in the molasses and the egg, mixing these together until they are well combined. This blend adds a rich flavor to your cookies!
4. Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Mix just until everything is combined to form a soft, sticky dough. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cookies tough!
5. Shaping the Cookies:
Roll the dough into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave about 2 inches of space between each ball. This allows them to spread while baking. Flatten each ball slightly with the bottom of a glass or your palm.
6. Baking the Cookies:
Bake in your preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are set and lightly golden. The center might look a bit soft—don’t worry, they will firm up as they cool!
7. Cooling Time:
After baking, let the cookies cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely. This step is essential before frosting!
8. Making the Frosting:
While the cookies cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth. You can adjust the amount of milk depending on whether you prefer a thicker or thinner frosting.
9. Frosting the Cookies:
Once the cookies are completely cool, spread or pipe the frosting onto each cookie. Get creative—there’s no wrong way to do it!
10. Decorating:
Immediately sprinkle red, yellow, and white sprinkles over the frosted cookies for that festive look. This step is best done while the frosting is still wet so the sprinkles stick nicely.
11. Final Touch:
Let the frosting set before serving your beautiful gingerbread cookies. Enjoy your delicious treats with friends and family!
These frosted gingerbread cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite—soft, warmly spiced, and delightfully decorated. Happy baking!
Can I Make These Cookies Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! You can make the cookie dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to a week. Just roll the dough into balls and keep them in an airtight container. When you’re ready, simply bake them directly from the fridge, adding a minute or two to the baking time.
What Can I Substitute for Molasses?
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can use honey or maple syrup as a substitute. Keep in mind that using honey or syrup will slightly alter the flavor and sweetness of the cookies.
How Do I Store Leftover Cookies?
Store the frosted cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. If you prefer, you can keep them in the fridge to extend their freshness. Just allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Can I Freeze Unfrosted Cookies?
Yes, you can freeze the unfrosted cookies! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze them individually, then transfer them to an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before frosting them once you’re ready to enjoy!