Grandma's Irresistibly Soft Gingerbread Cookies
This cherished recipe for soft gingerbread cookies has been passed down through generations, embodying the warmth and flavor of home baking. With a rich blend of spices, a touch of sweetness from molasses, and a soft, chewy texture, these cookies are perfect for any occasion. While I love the classic look with raisins, feel free to express your creativity with icing, sprinkles, or various decorations to suit the festive spirit! Enjoy the joy of baking and sharing these delightful cookies with family and friends during the holidays or whenever you crave a comforting treat. Plus, they can be transformed into a sturdy gingerbread house with the included alternative directions. Happy baking!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter flavor shortening
1 cup (softened)
sugar
1 1/4 cups (granulated)
large egg
1 (beaten)
molasses
1 cup (unsulfured)
hot water
1/3 cup (not boiling)
whole cloves
1 teaspoon (infused in hot water)
all-purpose flour
5 cups (divided)
baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons (sifted)
salt
1 teaspoon (fine)
ginger
1 teaspoon (ground)
cinnamon
1 tablespoon (ground)
raisins
as desired (for decoration)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, place whole cloves in hot water and set aside to infuse.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter flavor shortening and sugar until fluffy.
3
Beat in the large egg, followed by the molasses, mixing until well combined.
4
Remove cloves from the hot water and discard them. Add the infused clove water to the mixture and beat until smooth (the dough may look slightly curdled at this point).
5
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup of flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, and cinnamon.
6
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until fully incorporated.
7
Slowly add the remaining 4 cups of flour, one cup at a time, until a smooth dough forms.
8
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
9
Once chilled, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
10
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/2-inch thickness.
11
Cut shapes with cookie cutters and transfer them to the prepared cookie sheet.
12
If desired, press raisins into the tops of the cookies for decoration.
13
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Be careful not to overbake!
14
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Grandma's Irresistibly Soft Gingerbread Cookies?
Grandma's Irresistibly Soft Gingerbread Cookies are a cherished family recipe for soft, chewy treats flavored with a rich blend of spices and molasses.
What is the texture of these gingerbread cookies?
These cookies have a notably soft and chewy texture, embodying the warmth of home baking.
How long should the gingerbread dough be chilled?
The dough should be covered with plastic wrap and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or until firm.
Can I use this recipe to make a gingerbread house?
Yes, these cookies can be transformed into a sturdy gingerbread house by following alternative directions included with the recipe.
What is the required oven temperature for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How thick should I roll out the gingerbread dough?
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/2-inch thickness.
How long do the cookies need to bake?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
What type of shortening is recommended?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of softened butter flavor shortening.
How are whole cloves used in this recipe?
Whole cloves are placed in hot water to infuse their flavor; the cloves are then discarded, and the infused water is added to the dough.
What kind of molasses should be used?
One cup of unsulfured molasses is used in this recipe.
Why does my gingerbread dough look curdled?
The dough may look slightly curdled after adding the infused clove water to the butter, sugar, egg, and molasses mixture, which is normal.
How much flour is required in total?
The recipe requires a total of 5 cups of all-purpose flour, added in stages.
What spices are included in the gingerbread?
The recipe uses ground ginger, ground cinnamon, and the essence of whole cloves infused in water.
How much ground ginger is added?
One teaspoon of ground ginger is used in the dry ingredient mixture.
How much cinnamon is needed for these cookies?
The recipe calls for one tablespoon of ground cinnamon.
What are some ways to decorate these cookies?
You can press raisins into the tops before baking or use icing, sprinkles, and other festive decorations after baking.
How should the cookie sheet be prepared?
Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper to ensure the cookies do not stick.
How do I prevent the cookies from being overbaked?
Watch for the edges to be lightly browned and remove them from the oven within 8 to 10 minutes.
Is the flour added all at once?
No, first 1 cup is mixed with the spices and soda, then the remaining 4 cups are added one cup at a time until smooth.
How much sugar is used in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar.
Should the egg be beaten before adding?
Yes, one large egg should be beaten before being mixed into the creamed butter and sugar.
What type of salt is best for this recipe?
One teaspoon of fine salt is recommended for even distribution.
Does the baking soda need to be sifted?
Yes, the 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking soda should be sifted before being whisked with the flour.
How should I cool the cookies after baking?
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
What is the purpose of the hot water?
The 1/3 cup of hot water is used to extract the flavor from the whole cloves before adding that liquid to the wet ingredients.
Is this a good recipe for holiday baking?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a festive recipe perfect for sharing with family and friends during the holidays.
Can I use different cookie cutter shapes?
Absolutely, you can use any cookie cutters to express your creativity and suit the festive spirit.
Must the shortening be softened?
Yes, the butter flavor shortening should be softened to ensure it creams properly with the sugar.
What should I do if the dough is still too soft to roll?
Make sure you have chilled the dough for the full 2 hours; if it is still soft, let it sit in the refrigerator until it is firm.
Are raisins required for this recipe?
No, raisins are optional and used as desired for traditional decoration.