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Gingerbread Cookies

A classic recipe that we love to make in mini, and skip the raisins in favor of sounf or red hot candies (for hearts. duh!).
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Dough Chilling Time1 hour
CourseDessert
CuisineAmerican, Christmas
Keywordcookies, Gingerbread, Red Hot Candies, sounf

Equipment

  • cookie sheets
  • parchment paper (recommended)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup softened butter =113g, but I think 125g worked better.
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 tsp ginger powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 3 1/4 cup flour

Optional toppings

  • red hot candies make great hearts
  • sounf makes nice buttons and crunch
  • raisins the classic

Instructions

  • Carefully soften butter in microwave (on defrost) if not very soft.
  • In a mixer, beat butter and sugar on high until creamy.
  • Add eggs and molasses and beat on high until fluffy.
  • Add baking soda, salt and spices, and then add flour in 1/2 cup increments, while beating on medium low, just until combined.
  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap, and chill for at least an hour. This will help the dough and also make it easier to handle. Keep in the fridge for a few days, or roll into 1 1/2 inch diameter logs and freeze, for slice and bake!
  • When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F (180C) and line cookie sheets with parchment paper (or leave ungreased). Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into shapes using cookie cutters of your choice, careful to fit as many in (like a puzzle) to limit touching working the dough. Add raisins, red hots or sounf, as desired.
  • Cook until they they just baerly begin to crack on the top (about 5 minutes for mini cookies, but ovens vary, and it depends on the thickness of your cookie!).
  • Cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer directly to a wire rack to continue to cool completely before storing.

Notes

  • Original recipe from my childhood was margarine, and I tried that Christmas 2023.  We didn't love the consistency nor flavor (but that part might have been more about the spices), however Heloise said it was her fave! :-)
  • You can find saunf (candied fennel) at your local Indian or maybe Asian store, or on Amazon here.
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