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Gingerbread Cookies with Icing Designs – Cozy Holiday Baking

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclaimer page for more information. 

If you’re building a dessert table, be sure to check out mini Christmas brownies, mini Christmas cheesecake, and hot chocolate 3 ways for a complete spread.

Gingerbread cookies are a classic holiday treat that never goes out of style in the US, UK, Canada, and Europe. This recipe makes soft, perfectly spiced cookies that are fun to decorate with icing designs — perfect for kids, family gatherings, or gifting during the festive season.

This recipe is easy to follow, uses common ingredients, and results in cookies that hold their shape beautifully for decorating.

⏱️ Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
🍽️ Servings: 24 cookies
⭐ Rating: 4.9/5

🌟 Why You’ll Love These Gingerbread Cookies

  • Soft yet sturdy — perfect for icing
  • Full of warm spices: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg
  • Fun for decorating for Christmas or winter holidays
  • Freezer-friendly
  • Kid-friendly and giftable

🍪 Ingredients

For the Cookies

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tsp baking soda

  • 2 tsp ground ginger

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ½ tsp nutmeg

  • ½ tsp cloves

  • ¼ tsp salt

  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened

  • ¾ cup brown sugar

  • 1 large egg

  • ½ cup molasses

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Icing

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1–2 tbsp milk

  • ½ tsp vanilla extract

  • Food coloring (optional)

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.

  2. In a separate bowl, beat butter and brown sugar until creamy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla.

  3. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until a soft dough forms.

Step 2: Chill

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour. This helps cookies hold their shape during baking.

Step 3: Roll & Cut

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.

  2. Roll dough to ¼ inch thickness on a floured surface.

  3. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters.

Step 4: Bake

  1. Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

  2. Bake 8–10 minutes until edges are set.

  3. Let cool completely before icing.

Step 5: Decorate

Mix powdered sugar with milk and vanilla to make a smooth icing. Add food coloring if desired. Pipe designs using a piping bag or zip-top bag.


❄️ Storage

  • Room temperature: 5–7 days in airtight container

  • Freezer: up to 3 months (ice after thawing)

📌 FAQ

Can I make these cookies vegan?
Use a flax egg (1 tbsp flaxseed + 3 tbsp water) and plant-based butter.

Can I make the dough ahead?
Yes! Dough can be refrigerated up to 3 days before baking.

Why are my cookies too soft?
Bake 1–2 minutes longer or roll slightly thinner for crispier edges.

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