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Classic Gingerbread Cookies in a fun and festive snowflake design with a simple vanilla glaze and a little Royal icing piped on top.
Some years ago when our children were pre-teens, we decided to decorate our Christmas tree with all natural, homemade ornaments. The fragrant fir was decorated with ornaments made throughout the years by both our children as well as old decorations my husband and I made as children. We made popcorn and cranberry strings and tied ribbon around pine cones. The crowning touch was homemade gingerbread men decorated by our little family. We loved that tree and was so proud! I was amazed how beautiful it was even without sparkly glass ornaments, at least for a day or two.
One morning I awoke to see some of the gingerbread men were missing legs, and lower bodies. Some gingerbread men were completely gone, all except for the small ribbon used to hang the cookies on the tree. Was it the kids? Why would they eat the ornaments? There are plenty of cookies around the house! Then I saw the look of disgrace and shame on our two Labrador fur children. Nose level cookies proved too much of a temptation for those pups. That explained the gingerbread men bitten in half.
Needless to say the surviving gingerbread men were relocated to higher branches with hopes they would survive until Christmas. I often think about that tree and hope when my grandson (and future grandchildren) are older, we can decorate another with handmade goodies.
The holiday are always better with homemade gingerbread cookies.
It’s been a long time since I’d made gingerbread cookies. But now I remember why they are a beloved classic. I adore the distinct ginger and molasses flavor and they are such fun to decorate. This wonderful recipe holds it’s shape when baked making them terrific for intricate designs.
Making gingerbread cookies is a fun project for the whole family!
Children, young and old are always happy to help make and decorate cookies. We give each little one a rimmed baking sheet to use as a catch-all while they decorate their cookies. Sprinkles stay put on the baking sheet and are easy to clean up too. You can decorate the cookies using Royal Icing or a simple vanilla glaze. Candies such as these mini-M&M’s add a nice touch of color too. We’ve included recipes for the glaze and Royal icing, if using.
Can you use iced gingerbread cookies for tree decorations?
Gingerbread cookies that are iced will soften a bit which makes them easier to eat. If you want to hang the on your tree as decorations, they are best left plain.
Can you freeze gingerbread cookies?
We always make our gingerbread cookies ahead of time and freeze until ready to decorate. Layer the cookies between sheets of wax or parchment paper and seal in an airtight container. The cookies can be made up to 2 months in advance. Gingerbread cookies also travel well making them a terrific gift.
Gingerbread cookies can be cut into any design such as trees, gingerbread men, and gingerbread snowflakes. Have fun!
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Gingerbread Cookies
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Yield: 24 cookies
Course: Dessert
A holiday favorite! With classic royal icing and an easy glaze for all your holiday cookie decorating.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ¼ cup hot water
- 1 cup molasses
- 5 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- Optional toppings:
- Royal Icing (see recipe below)
- Assorted candies
- Sugar Crystals
- Colored sugar
- Vanilla glaze (see recipe below)
For the Icing:
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon Meringue Powder
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar sifted
- 2 tablespoons hot water
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Cookies:
- Beat the butter and sugar on medium until light and fluffy. In a large measuring cup combine the baking soda and ¼ cup hot water. Stir until dissolved then add the molasses.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the flour, ginger, cinnamon, salt and allspice. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with the molasses mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Shape the dough into a ball and cover and chill at least 1 hour or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll the dough out to ¼-inch thick on a lightly floured work surface. Cut dough into desired shapes. Place the cookies 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Spoon Royal Icing into a piping bag fit with a small tip and pipe icing onto the cooled cookies. Add candies, crystals or colored sugar as desired. Allow the icing to dry completely. Store cookies in an airtight container.
For the Icing:
- Beat the sugar, water and Meringue Powder together until stiff peaks form.
- Use immediately.
For the Glaze:
- Stir ingredients together until smooth.
- Lightly glaze each cookie as desired.
Recipe Notes
- Gingerbread cookie recipe adapted from December 2011 Southern Living.
- Cookies can be frozen for up to 2 months.
- Royal Icing recipe adapted from Wilton.
Nutrition
Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 237IU | Vitamin C: 0.01mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 2mg
Here are a few more recipes you might also enjoy:
Gingerbread Roll with Lemon Cream Filling
Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Cake with Lemon Cream
Gingerbread Whoopie Pies
Annie W.
Greetings,
Your snowflake cookies are beautiful. And I loved reading the mystery story of the missing gingerbread men.
I do have one question. There are no details given in the instructions on how to achieve the blue color for the glaze. Could you perhaps share the brand and how I can recreate this pale shade for my cookies?
Happy holiday baking,
Annie
Tricia Buice
Hi Annie. I’m so sorry for getting back with you so late. I’ve been sick with the flu and am having a miserable time. I used the McCormick’s standard blue and kept adding a drop or two as needed until I reached the color to match the background. I hope that helps. Enjoy!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic
These cookies are so pretty! Happy holidays!
Chris Scheuer
First if all, that is one darling little boy. I think it would be very difficult to be stern with him! 🙂 Love your beautiful cookies, that first picture looks like a piece of art work! I had to laugh at your story about the dogs. I decorated a beautiful tree years ago, ironed a gorgeous white Battenburg lace skirt, had wrapped gits under the tree and it all looks so beautiful when we left for
Anna and Liz Recipes
Your grandson is so adorable! I can't wait to see my grandkids this weekend! Have a wonderful Christmas Tricia!<br />And a healthy new year!! xxoo Anna and Liz
Anna and Liz Recipes
How adorable your grandson! We love your cookies and could never make them as perfect and beautifully decorated as you did. Have a Merry Christmas ! xxoo Anna and Liz
katiethisdell.com
Beautiful cookies! And so funny about the dogs–I'm surprised they left any cookie remnants at all!
Abbe@This is How I Cook
Issac has a very addictive smile! Makes me want to smile, too! How lucky you are! These are gorgeous cookies, Tricia. I hope you had help decorating them! Or at least a peaceful day while you did! Have a great holiday!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen
What a cutie your little grandson is! I've enjoyed being the grandma to our two little grandsons since my husband and I had two girls. They make baking even more fun these days :)<br /><br />What gorgeous decorated gingerbread!
Bri
Just wanted to say thanks for the memories and to tell you what gorgeous pictures of the cookies you took. You have a wonderful talent and I'm thrilled to say I know you!
Tricia Buice
Love you Bri! Can't wait to see you all soon. I'm bringing cookies and hope your wonderful sausage balls will be with you 🙂 Hug your cute husband for me!
Angie Schneider
Those snowflakes are so gorgeous! You did an excellent icing those cookies, Tricia. Issac is a big boy now.
Sue/the view from great island
I love this post, Tricia! You chose such a beautiful and unusual color for the frosting on those snowflakes, and your grandson is too cute. I am looking for a gingerbread recipe to use with an old and very ornate cookie mold I have, I wonder if this recipe would hole the detail. Have a lovely week!<br />ps gonna share these on fb
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
Wow – these are gorgeous!!! The icing looks delicious!
Mallory Frayn
Wow these are so beautifully iced. I don't think I would have the patience or the skill for it but you did amazing!
Mary Bergfeld
The cookies are works of art, but your little guy is a treasure :-). Have a wonderful holiday. Blessings…Mary
Monica
Your grandson is such a cutie! And obviously has good taste in cookies! They came out beautifully. <br />I had a sugar cookie-decorating party for my son and 4 of his cousins yesterday. I was amazed by how well they worked and how competent – I keep thinking of them as wobbling toddlers! It was a load of fun…you'll be decorating with your grandson in no time.