Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
These gingerbread cookies with royal icing are a holiday classic! Soft in the center with a crisp edge and rich spices, they’re perfect for cut-out shapes and decorating. Topped with smooth royal icing, these cookies are ideal for Christmas trays, edible gifts, or festive cookie decorating parties. The dough is easy to work with and holds its shape beautifully while baking.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon Ground Ginger
- ¾ teaspoon Baking Soda
- ¾ teaspoon Ground Cloves
- ½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¾ cup Unsalted Butter at room temperature
- ½ cup Brown Sugar packed
- 1 Large Egg
- ½ cup Molasses
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Royal Icing
- 1 lbs Confectioners Sugar
- 3 tablespoon Meringue Powder
- 6 tablespoon Warm Water
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Food Coloring
Cookie decoration
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, salt, and nutmeg.
- In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or by hand), beat the butter and sugar on medium-high for 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Set aside.Add the eggs, molasses, and vanilla, then mix on medium speed until fully combined.
- Lower the speed to low, and gradually add the dry ingredients until just incorporated.
- Divide the dough into two portions, shape each into a ball, then flatten into 1-inch thick disks. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap.Chill the wrapped dough in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat, and preheat the oven to 350°F.Unwrap one dough disk and roll it out on a lightly floured surface to ⅛-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with cookie cutters and place them on the prepared baking sheet.Refrigerate the cut-out cookies on the baking sheet for 5–10 minutes so they hold their shape during baking.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the royal icing: In a large bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and meringue powder.
- Add warm water, one tablespoon at a time, while mixing on low speed.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and continue mixing until the icing looks shiny
- Increase the speed to high and beat for 5–7 minutes. Mix in food coloring, if desired.
- Transfer the icing to a piping bag for decorating.
Nutrition
Calories: 226kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 141mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 188IUVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!