Spiced Gingerbread Cookies and Houses
Embrace the festive spirit with these delightful Spiced Gingerbread Cookies, perfect for both baking and decorating. Whether you intend to create charming cookies for your holiday gatherings or assemble a magnificent gingerbread house that will dazzle your family and friends, this recipe provides the ideal blend of spices and sweetness for every occasion. Plan ahead, as assembling a gingerbread house can be a leisurely and enjoyable experience. Get creative with your decorations and make your gingerbread creations uniquely yours!
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsulphured molasses
3/4 cup (warmed and softened)
butter
3/4 cup (melted)
all-purpose flour
4 cups (sifted)
double-acting baking powder
1 teaspoon
salt
1 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
ground ginger
2 teaspoons
ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon
dark brown sugar
1 cup (packed)
large egg
1 (lightly beaten)
Instructions
1
Start by warming the molasses in a saucepan or microwave until just softened, but do not allow it to boil. Remove from heat, then add the butter and stir until melted. Allow the mixture to cool slightly.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sifted flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and dark brown sugar. Whisk until well mixed.
3
Add the cooled butter and molasses mixture to the dry ingredients, along with the lightly beaten egg, and mix until a dough forms. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour, or until the dough is firm enough to roll out.
4
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line multiple baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
5
Divide the dough into two equal portions. Keeping one portion refrigerated, place the other portion between sheets of plastic wrap or silicone mats and roll out to a thickness of 1/8 to 1/4-inch. Return any remaining dough to the fridge as you work.
6
For cookies, dust your cookie cutters with flour (if needed) and cut out your desired shapes. Transfer the cookies to the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool completely on wire racks before decorating.
7
For gingerbread houses, roll out the dough directly onto a parchment-lined, edge-free baking tray. Ensure the dough thickness is no more than 3/8-inch for larger structures. Use templates to cut out house pieces, measuring carefully to maintain straight edges. Bake for 15 minutes and let cool completely before assembling.
8
Once cooled, decorate your cookies and house according to your creative vision, using icing, candies, and other embellishments.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
22.5g
Carbs
1.5g
Protein
0.5g
Fiber
7.5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main flavor profile of these gingerbread cookies?
These cookies offer a delightful blend of warm spices including ground ginger and cinnamon, sweetened with molasses and dark brown sugar.
Can I use this recipe to build a gingerbread house?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed for both individual spiced cookies and for constructing magnificent gingerbread houses.
How long should the gingerbread dough be refrigerated?
The dough should be refrigerated for at least one hour, or until it is firm enough to roll out easily.
What is the recommended oven temperature for baking?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) before baking the cookies or house pieces.
How long do the gingerbread cookies need to bake?
Cookies should be baked for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
How long should I bake the gingerbread house pieces?
For gingerbread houses, bake the pieces for approximately 15 minutes and allow them to cool completely before assembly.
How thick should I roll the dough for cookies?
For cookies, roll the dough out to a thickness of 1/8 to 1/4-inch.
What is the recommended dough thickness for a gingerbread house?
Ensure the dough thickness is no more than 3/8-inch for larger house structures to maintain stability.
Should the molasses be boiled before adding it to the mixture?
No, warm the molasses until just softened but do not allow it to boil.
How is the butter incorporated into the recipe?
The butter is added to the warmed molasses and stirred until melted before being combined with the dry ingredients.
What dry ingredients are needed for this gingerbread?
The dry ingredients include sifted all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and dark brown sugar.
Do I need to sift the flour for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 4 cups of sifted all-purpose flour for the best texture.
What type of molasses is best for these cookies?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of unsulphured molasses.
What kind of sugar is used in the gingerbread?
You should use 1 cup of packed dark brown sugar.
How many eggs does this recipe require?
This recipe requires one large egg, which should be lightly beaten.
Does this recipe use baking soda or baking powder?
This recipe uses both: 1 teaspoon of double-acting baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
What spices give the cookies their festive taste?
The signature festive taste comes from 2 teaspoons of ground ginger and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
How can I prevent my cookie cutters from sticking to the dough?
You can dust your cookie cutters with a little bit of flour before cutting out shapes.
When should I start decorating my gingerbread creations?
Always allow the cookies or house pieces to cool completely on wire racks before you begin decorating with icing and candies.
What can I use to decorate my gingerbread house?
You can use icing, various candies, and other edible embellishments to decorate according to your creative vision.
How many calories are in one serving of these cookies?
Each serving contains approximately 150 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 6 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 22.5 grams of carbohydrates.
Does this gingerbread recipe contain protein?
Yes, there is 1.5 grams of protein per serving.
Is there any fiber in these gingerbread cookies?
Each serving provides about 0.5 grams of fiber.
How much sugar is in each serving?
There are 7.5 grams of sugar per serving.
How should I prepare the baking sheets?
Line multiple baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats to prevent sticking.
What is the best way to roll out dough for a gingerbread house?
Roll the dough directly onto a parchment-lined, edge-free baking tray and use templates to ensure straight edges.
Why should I divide the dough before rolling?
Dividing the dough allows you to keep one portion refrigerated and firm while you work with the first half.
How much salt is included in the dough?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of salt to balance the sweetness of the molasses and sugar.