Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
Gingerbread is a sweet and spiced baked good that traditionally features flavors of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. It comes in various forms, including soft cakes, crisp cookies, and even elaborate structures like gingerbread houses. Gingerbread has a rich history, a unique taste profile, and is closely associated with holiday traditions, especially Christmas.
Types of Gingerbread
There are actually many types of gingerbread, but the major difference is in the shape or form that they are made.
- Gingerbread Cookies:
Thin, crisp cookies often shaped like gingerbread men or other festive figures. These are perfect for decorating with icing and sprinkles. - Gingerbread Cake:
A moist, dense cake with deep molasses and spice flavors. It’s often served with whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar. - Gingerbread Houses:
Decorative structures made from stiff gingerbread panels and assembled with royal icing. These are more for decoration than eating, though they’re entirely edible. - Gingerbread Loaves:
Soft, spiced bread that can be sliced and served with butter or cream cheese.
The most popular type of gingerbread is the gingerbread cookies which is what I have created a recipe for in the following section.
Homemade Gingerbread Recipe
Fastest guided recipe on how to make gingerbread cookies at home in under 40 minutes.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Rolling Pin
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mats
- Cookie cutters (gingerbread men or any shape)
- Cooling rack
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups 375g all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 115g unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup 100g packed brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2/3 cup 160ml molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional for Decoration
- Royal icing
- Sprinkles
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and mix until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Chill the Dough
- Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight).
Preheat Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
Roll and Cut
- Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough to about 1/4-inch thickness.
- Use cookie cutters to cut out gingerbread shapes and place them about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just set. Be careful not to overbake.
Cool and Decorate
- Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.
- Once cooled, decorate with royal icing and sprinkles as desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 120kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
