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Chewy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

4.6 from 123 reviews

These Chewy Gingerbread Cookies are a delightful holiday treat featuring warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves combined with molasses for rich flavor and chewy texture. Perfectly soft on the inside with slightly crisp edges, they bring classic festive warmth to your cookie platter.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt in a mixing bowl. This ensures the spices and leavening agent are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and texture.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter with the packed brown sugar until creamy and fluffy. This creates a light base that helps the cookies achieve their chewy softness.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the large egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter and sugar mixture until fully combined, producing a rich and fragrant batter.
  4. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, blending gently until just incorporated. This careful mixing avoids developing too much gluten, preventing tough cookies while ensuring a smooth dough.
  5. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This firms up the dough for easier shaping and enhances flavor development.
  6. Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out or scoop the dough onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.

Notes

  • For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the dry ingredients.
  • Do not overbake; the cookies will firm up as they cool, maintaining their chewiness.
  • Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.
  • If dough becomes too hard after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before shaping.
  • Use fresh spices for the best aroma and flavor impact.

Keywords: gingerbread cookies, chewy gingerbread, holiday cookies, molasses cookies, spiced cookies