This recipe is sure to please ALL those little ones and even the older ones in your household! I hear even Santa approves of these DELICOUS cookies. They are perfect for cookie exchanges, parties, and even to leave for Santa and his Reindeer! Just enough sweetness and spice to please everyone's taste buds.
Plus, your kiddos will love to help make and even taste the batter for you!
Sugar Cookie Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients:
Cookies
- 3/4 Cup Butter, softened
- 1 Cup Sugar
- 2 Eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tablespoons Light Molasses
- 2 1/2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Ginger
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
Icing
- 2 Cups Powdered Sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons Milk
- Food coloring (in desired colors)
Directions:
- Using a stand mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar in the bowl. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the molasses and vanilla.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices. Slowly stir in the dry ingredients a little bit at a time. Remove dough from bowl and wrap in plastic wrap or place in a separate container. Chill the dough for at least one hour to overnight.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough on a floured surface 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Use gingerbread man/girl cookie cutters or other holiday shape cookie cutters.
- Place the cookies one inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. Bake for 6-8 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven and allow to cool on the cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
- For the icing to decorate the cookies with, mix together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of milk (watch the consistency). The outline icing should be the consistency of toothpaste. You can use food coloring to color your icing, if desired.
- Once cookies have cooled, you can decorate them using your icing. You can use a piping bag or even a zip lock baggie with the end snipped.
 |  |
Tips:
- Forgot to soften your butter, use this trick: Cut your butter into small squares and place on a small plate. Boil water in a wide bowl. Dump the water out and wipe dry. Place the bowl over the butter and set inside your microwave. Leave in for about 5-10 minutes.
- Be sure to let your dough chill for a good hour or two. If you let it sit overnight, get it out a little before working with it.
- If dough gets too soft as you are working with it, place back in the fridge for a few minutes.
- Silicone baking mats are the BEST! Definitely worth investing in!
- Add more powdered sugar if your icing mixture is too runny.
- Cookies look just as good with just white icing. Let your kids help decorate with candies and sugar.
