‘Tis the season for homemade cookies! Looking to make the perfect quick and easy gingerbread cookies? Then follow our recipe below to make this traditional holiday favorite! These mild flavored cutout cookies will be a treat that the whole family will enjoy!
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A Brief Gingerbread History
Ginger is a root vegetable that has been used in dishes all over the world for its flavor and health benefits. It is the star of gingerbread cookies. One of the first known gingerbread recipes came from Greece as far back as 2400 BC. The Chinese had developed their own gingerbread recipes in the 10th century, and in the late Medieval Ages versions had popped up across Europe in countries like England, France, Holland and Germany. We are all familiar with the men-shaped decorated cookies of today. Evidently, Queen Elizabeth I is credited with originating these gingerbread men when she had ordered cookies to resemble the dignitaries visiting her court!
Gingerbread, The Missing Cookie
When it comes to the best cookie season, nothing competes with the holiday season. That, however, means tons and tons of cookies! One of my fondest childhood memories is of baking a variety of Christmas cookies with my mother. We would make butter cookies sprinkled with sugar crystals, chocolate chip cookies with toasty walnuts, chewy oatmeal cookies with ribbons of brown sugar swirled throughout. There were sugar cookies with nonpareils and almond flavored biscotti. We piled cookies on trays and packaged them to give away as gifts to friends and family. There were so many different cookies, but the one missing cookie was gingerbread.
Why Should I Use This Recipe?
Many people don’t like the hint of spice in their cookies that ginger brings. This recipe is great because it is sweet and mild, and fast to make! It is the perfect quick recipe to add gingerbread cookies to your cookie platters while having time to focus on the more involved cookies. Fewer ingredients, faster prep time, fool-proof, and delicious?! Four perfect reasons to use this recipe. You won’t regret it!
However, if you do wish to make the cookies entirely from scratch, HERE is a recipe to try from Real Simple magazine!
Quick And Easy Gingerbread Cookies
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- plastic wrap
- Rolling Pin
- cookie cutters
Ingredients
- 1 roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough * This is 16 oz. of pre-made dough
- 3 tbsp light molasses * Use light rather than regular because the flavor is more mild.
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
Instructions
- First, in large bowl, crumble the sugar cookie dough. Second, stir in the molasses. Third, add the remaining ingredients. Mix thoroughly with your hands.
- Divide the dough in half and form into 2 disks. Wrap each disk tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours, until the dough is thoroughly chilled. Gingerbread dough is easiest to work with when cold!
- Heat the oven to 375°F. Sprinkle your work surface with some flour and roll 1 dough disk to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with floured cookie cutters, approximately 2 1/2- to 3-inch in size. On an ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts 2 inches apart. Then take out the second disk and repeat this process for the remaining dough, rerolling scraps as needed so you don't waste any dough!
- Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until the cookies are set and light golden brown around the edges. Cool on the cookie sheet for 3 minutes, then place them on a cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.
This post was all about quick and easy gingerbread cookies that the whole family will love.
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