Crisp, spiced gingerbread cookies with royal icing
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Prep Time
30 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
40 min
Servings
36
36 cookies
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Budget
$
Classic Gingerbread Cookies
Crisp, spiced gingerbread cookies with royal icing
★4.7(23)
Perfectly spiced gingerbread cookies that bake up crisp on the edges and slightly chewy in the center. Decorated with simple royal icing for a festive holiday treat.
30m
Prep Time
10m
Cook Time
40m
Total Time
36
Servings
Medium
Difficulty
Budget $
Cost
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
These gingerbread cookies have the ideal balance of warm spices—ginger, cinnamon, and cloves—with dark molasses sweetness. The dough holds its shape beautifully for cut-out shapes and detailed decorating.
This is the kind of recipe that defines American home cooking at its best — straightforward, satisfying, and built on flavors that everyone loves.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1/2 cup dark molasses
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves
Instructions
- 1
Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
- 2
Cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg until smooth.
- 3
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a stiff dough forms. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- 4
Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters and place on parchment-lined baking sheets.
- 5
Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until edges are firm. Cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with royal icing.
Serving Suggestions
Ways to Serve This Dish
Serve with classic coleslaw and cornbread on the side
Pair with fresh-cut fries or roasted potato wedges
Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream
Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate sauce before serving
Substitutions
Dark molassesGolden syrup
Lighter flavor and color, but still works well
ButterCoconut oil, solid
Makes cookies dairy-free with a slight coconut flavor
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Chill the dough between rolling batches to keep it firm and easy to cut.
For softer cookies, roll thicker (1/3 inch) and bake 1-2 minutes less.
Measure baking ingredients by weight when possible. Baking is chemistry, and precision matters more than in any other type of cooking.
Bring butter, eggs, and dairy to room temperature before mixing. Cold ingredients do not emulsify properly and can produce tough, uneven results.
Storage
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Reheating
These are best at room temperature and do not need reheating.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (12mg) · 36 servings
Calories85
LowModerateHigh
A light, low-calorie option · based on a 2,000 cal daily diet
Protein1g
Carbohydrates3g
Fat13g
Fiber55mg
Sugar0g
Sodium6g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I freeze the dough?
- Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before rolling.
- What is royal icing?
- Beat 2 cups powdered sugar with 1 egg white and 1 tsp lemon juice until thick and smooth.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
View all recipes →