Delicious Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Looking for a tasty treat this holiday season? Try making some homemade gingerbread cookies! This recipe is easy to follow and produces a delicious batch of cookies that are perfect for holiday gatherings or as a sweet treat for yourself.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Image Description: A photo of all the ingredients needed for the recipe, including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, unsalted butter, brown sugar, egg, molasses, and vanilla extract.

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
2. In a large bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
3. Add molasses and vanilla and continue to mix until well blended.
4. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just blended.
5. Divide the dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let sit at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
7. Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin. Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.
8. Use additional flour to avoid sticking.
9. Cut out cookies with desired cutter shapes.
10. Space cookies 1 1/2-inches apart.
11. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the lower time will give you softer cookies).
12. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
13. Repeat with the remaining dough.
14. Decorate the cookies as desired. Enjoy!

Image Description: A photo of beautifully decorated gingerbread cookies, some with frosting or icing and others with sprinkles, candy, or other edible decorations.

Tips and Variations:

• You can use different cookie cutters to make different shapes of gingerbread cookies, such as gingerbread men, women, or houses.
• You can also use different decorations to make your cookies unique, such as colored frosting, sprinkles, or candy pieces.
• For a spicier gingerbread flavor, add a pinch of black pepper or cayenne pepper to the dough mixture.
• For a softer, more cake-like texture, add 1/4 cup of milk to the dough mixture.