Description
These soft and chewy gingerbread cookies are bursting with warm spices and a touch of sweetness. Topped with a creamy cinnamon cream cheese frosting, they’re perfect for cozy afternoons, holiday gatherings, or anytime you crave a festive treat. Easy to make and full of flavor, these cookies will quickly become a favorite in your recipe collection.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Sheets:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for even baking and easy cleanup. - Cream the Butter and Sugars:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. - Add Wet Ingredients:
Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. - Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until a dough forms. - Form the Cookies:
Scoop the dough into balls about 1 1/2 tablespoons in size. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches of space between each cookie. - Bake:
Bake for 9-11 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Avoid overbaking to keep the cookies soft and chewy. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. - Make the Frosting:
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy. Adjust the milk quantity to achieve your desired frosting consistency. - Frost the Cookies:
Once the cookies have completely cooled, spread the frosting generously on top. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon or festive decorations for a finishing touch.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American