• Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

Dreamery Events

Weddings, Events, Planning, Styling & Speciality Desserts | Life is too Wonderful not to Celebrate each day!

  • About
  • Gallery
  • Services
    • Event Services
    • Speciality Dessert Menu
  • Blog
    • Travel
      • Portugal
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Pies & Tarts
    • Ice Cream
    • Cakes & Cupcakes
    • Cookies & Other Sweet Treats
    • Drinks
    • Savory
  • Shop
  • Contact

Classic Gingerbread Cookies

December 22, 2014 · 9 Comments

Classic Gingerbread CookiesThere’s nothing I look forward to more than savoring a chewy gingerbread cookie during the holidays, and maybe a slice of Bolo Rei {the Portuguese version of fruit cake} loaded with crystalized fruits and nuts. But when it comes to the winter, the rich combination of warming spices and fresh ginger flavors of gingerbread cookies, make me feel like a child leaving cookies for Santa again and reminds me of everything beautiful about Christmas. Which explains why it’s my favorite cookie, and the most requested one amongst family and friends. So much so, that I’ve been rolling out snowflake cookies covered with icing and dusted with snowy sugar all month-long. Classic Gingerbread CookiesJust like pie dough, making gingerbread cookies soothe me and make me happy, especially when I’m singing along to Christmas carols. My kitchen literally transforms into a scene from a holiday movie, and the little girl filled with the spirit of Christmas comes out, I know slightly cheesy but it’s so true. 

Classic Gingerbread CookiesOf all the cookies and desserts I may make, these gingerbread cookies take the longest, but seeing the excited smiles as I bring a large tray out, makes it all worth while. And I’m not sure what it is, but every year the flavor in these cookies becomes richer, cozier, and everything the holidays should taste like. I first introduced my classic gingerbread cookies on my blog two years ago, when I was still trying to find my photography and writing style, passionate about my favorite time of the year. Sometimes when I read older posts, I smile at how much my own words inspire and teach me about myself, and how much I’ve learned along the way. It’s been two Christmases since I’ve talked about my favorite things, and still they’re being shared on the table with my family this year, including these cookies. Classic Gingerbread CookiesSince they’re not only my favorite but a signature of mine, it was time I’ve used what I’ve learned and give these cookies a post of their own. They’re the cookie that satisfies the dessert connoisseur, the non-chocolate eater, and the one who prefers to skip the sweet stuff. I can’t say these cookies are so delicious because of just the fresh and ground ginger, the cloves or the molasses, but every ingredient makes a crucial part in the final flavor, and without one it just isn’t the same. I love the flavor of gingerbread so much, that I’ve even created a healthy morning smoothie, since cookies for breakfast just isn’t acceptable everyday. But there’s only a few more days until Christmas and smoothies just won’t cut it out, these cookies must be savored and eaten. 

And I know all you entertainers and holiday masters have got your menus finalized and even doughs already pre made, because let’s face it, that’s where I am, but if you have the time and really want to make loved ones of all ages smile, you need to make these classic gingerbread cookies. Classic Classic Gingerbread CookiesGingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread CookiesClassic Gingerbread Cookies


Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients {Makes about 5 dozen}

1 3/4 cups – All Purpose Flour {recipe works well with only all-purpose flour}

1 3/4 cups – Whole-wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons – Baking Soda

1/4 teaspoon – Salt

1 1/4 teaspoons – Ground Cinnamon

1 1/4 teaspoons – Ground Ginger

1 teaspoon – Ground Allspice

1/4 teaspoon – Ground Nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon – Ground Cloves

2 sticks – Unsalted Butter {room temperature}

3/4 cup – Granulated Sugar

3/4 cup – Dark Brown Sugar {packed}

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon – Grated Fresh Ginger

1 large – Egg

1/4 cup – Unsulfured Molasses

Royal Icing {recipe below}, Colored Sugars, Candy, etc. to decorate

Recipe

Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves in a large bowl, set aside.

In a bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, both sugars, and fresh ginger, on medium speed until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed {about 3 minutes} Beat in the egg and molasses until combined. Slowly add the flour mixture, in two batches, with the mixer on low-speed beating until just incorporated, and you no longer see clumps of flour. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface, and shape into a large round. Divide the dough in half, shape into flat disks, wrap with plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour or overnight.

Pre-heat your oven to 350*F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator, let stand to soften slightly {this will make it easier to roll, and prevent cracking}. Roll dough to 1/4” thickness on a lightly floured surface, moving dough around to prevent it from sticking. Remove the second disk from the refrigerator and follow the same steps. Use your favorite cookie cutter shapes, and place cut out cookies onto a baking sheet.

Bake, rotating halfway, until golden brown. For a chewier gingerbread cookie, bake for about 12 minutes, for a crisper cookie bake for about 14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool completely before decorating as desired. Cookies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5-7 days.

Royal Icing 

Ingredients {Makes about 2 1/2 cups}

1 pound – Confectioner’s Sugar {sifted}

5 tablespoons – Meringue Powder

1/2 cup – Water

Food Coloring {optional}

Recipe {Adapted from Martha Stewart}

In a bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, meringue powder and water and beat on low-speed with paddle attachment. Beat until fluffy {about 7 to 8 minutes}.

For a thin icing, to use to fill in, stir an additional teaspoon of water one at a time until desired consistency. Test consistency of icing by lifting spoon, allowing icing to drip into bowl, a ribbon should remain on the surface for a few seconds. If coloring icing, dip toothpick or wooden skewer into coloring and mix until desired shade.

Cover bowl of icing with moist paper towel while using as it hardens quickly when exposed to air. Store leftover icing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Stir well before using again.

You Might Also Enjoy

  • Candied Walnut Cookies
  • Double Cranberry Chocolate Chip CookiesDouble Cranberry Cookies
  • Classic Gingerbread CookiesFavorite Holiday Cookie Recipes

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Print

Related

   

Filed In: Desserts, Entertaining, Food, Holidays, How To, Inspiration, Recipes, Special Occasions, Vegetarian / Tagged: christmas cookies, classic gingerbread cookies, food, gingerbread, gingerbread cookies, holiday, holiday cookies, holiday desserts, recipes, royal icing

Comments

  1. oosorio456 says

    December 22, 2014 at 6:24 am

    Good recipe.

    Reply
    • Diana says

      December 22, 2014 at 8:44 am

      Thank you. Happy Holidays!
      Diana

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. A Merry + Bright Christmas Eve | The Dreamery says:
    December 24, 2014 at 8:54 am

    […] to a house decked in beautiful Christmas decor, delicious yet simple food perfectly displayed, and gingerbread cookies sparkling like snow. Seeing their smiles and the happiness that Christmas at my house brings them, […]

    Reply
  2. Favorite Recipes of 2014 | The Dreamery says:
    December 29, 2014 at 2:33 pm

    […] Classic Gingerbread Cookies […]

    Reply
  3. Champagne Ombre Cake with Mascarpone Whipped Cream | The Dreamery says:
    February 11, 2015 at 7:01 am

    […] some delicious macarons, candy, and chocolate covered strawberries, but aside from the sugar and gingerbread cookies I made for the girls to decorate, the baker in me needed to make a grand dessert. Something sweet, […]

    Reply
  4. Classic Peanut Butter Cookies | The Dreamery says:
    March 3, 2015 at 6:01 am

    […] like classic recipes, like my favorite gingerbread or chocolate chip cookies. The ones without fancy ingredients or extra steps that require the eggs […]

    Reply
  5. Favorite Holiday Cookie Recipes | The Dreamery says:
    December 2, 2015 at 6:01 am

    […] Posted on December 2, 2015December 1, 2015 by Diana […]

    Reply
  6. How To Pack & Ship Holiday Cookies | The Dreamery says:
    December 16, 2015 at 10:34 am

    […] cookie recipes that are stable; chocolate chip, sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, candied walnut, or any of these… {AVOID delicate cookies that crumble easily or ones filled […]

    Reply
  7. New Year’s Eve Movie Date Night In | The Dreamery says:
    December 29, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    […] {Gingerbread Cookies|Hot Chocolate w. Sea Salt Whipped Cream via Adventures in Cooking} […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply to A Merry + Bright Christmas Eve | The Dreamery Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 

I love everything about entertaining. Flowers are my weakness, a slice of homemade pie makes my heart sing & I’m a sucker for wedding videos. I dream about these things, it’s true. But what I love most, is working with amazing people to create meaningful & unique celebrations…..

Archives

Categories

Join the List

Join our mailing list to receive updates from our blog.

minted Wedding Planner Program - Member since 2015

As Seen on The Knot

SaveSave

SaveSave

Follow

 

 

Browse

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Join the List

Join our mailing list to receive updates and more from our website.

Instagram

Instagram post 2193145886518090006_20110111 Words for the weekend, the holiday season & every other day of the year!✨And yes I photocopied & framed this from the latest issue of Magnolia Journal, it pretty much sums up my approach to the holidays this year.....
reusing what I already have,
woods & greens to celebrate
the beauty in Mother Nature’s bareness,
fairy lights that remind me of starry night skies
& this little penguin (who has been my only 
non-necessary purchase) because I love 
penguins & it makes me smile 
every time I’m at my desk working🐧❄️🌿
Instagram post 2192265495171179698_20110111 A little but special throwback to our Gift Wrap & Give Back Holiday Party! We gathered up the gals for some bites, wrapped donated gifts & wrote cards - all for kids who don’t get to celebrate the holidays or receive the kind of gifts most do....this is one of the easiest ways you can get together w. friends this holiday season while doing some REAL good!

Grab your friends, have them each donate a toy/gift for a local community drive or a family in need, then have each person bring a dish & something to wrap with! Get all the ideas for this party on the blog & make your own special “Give Back” holiday party💚
Instagram post 2190101455565098681_20110111 December ..... while most dive into the crazed chaos, I will honor your Slowness🌿I will still celebrate the things I love about the holiday season, but I will do it in a more natural way; an homage to the restorative & simplistic beauty of Mother Nature this time of year.

I will continue to be grateful, showing my kindness & love towards others, even if it’s a simple act of baking cookies or giving away a coat.

I will reflect & cherish all the days before. I will live in each present moment, but also dream & envision new plans for goals I know I’m on my way to achieving, new places to explore, new adventures, new people to meet.

I will continue to learn & grow into an even better version of myself as I celebrate the final days of another year & the beginnings of a new.....✨
Instagram post 2187181187284835024_20110111 Grateful. For the good, the bad, the unpredictable...grateful for it all! Hope you all spend your Thanksgiving well, may it bring you comfort & joy🧡🍁

About Us

I love everything about entertaining. Flowers are my weakness, a slice of homemade pie makes my heart sing & I’m a sucker for wedding videos. I dream about these things, it’s true. But what I love most, is working with amazing people to create meaningful & unique celebrations…..

Whether it’s your wedding, birthday, shower or custom dessert – Dreamery Events believes you shouldn’t have to worry about anything except celebrating and making wonderful memories.

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis