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The Oldest Christmas Cookies

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These gingerbread cookies are a timeless holiday treat, filled with aromatic spices and a rich molasses flavor. They’ve been a staple of Christmas traditions for centuries, from their origins in medieval Europe to becoming a fun, festive favorite around the world. Perfect for decorating or simply enjoying with a warm beverage, these cookies add the sweet scent of the season to any home.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger

  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

  • 1 large egg

  • 1/2 cup molasses

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

  3. Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

  4. Add Molasses & Egg: Mix in the molasses and egg, combining everything until smooth. The molasses adds a deep, warm flavor characteristic of gingerbread.

  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir until a dough forms. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a little extra flour to make it easier to handle.

  6. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps firm up the dough, making it easier to roll out.

  7. Roll and Cut Shapes: Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to create your desired shapes (e.g., gingerbread men, stars, or hearts). Place the shapes on your prepared baking sheets.

  8. Bake & Decorate: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown. Let them cool before decorating with icing, sprinkles, or fondant.

Notes

  • Decorating Tips: Use royal icing to decorate your cookies with intricate designs or simply dust with powdered sugar for a simple look.

  • Storage: Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.

  • Variations: You can add chopped candied ginger or chocolate chips to the dough for extra flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: Gingerbread, Christmas cookies, holiday baking, festive treats, molasses cookies, traditional cookies, ginger cookies, spiced cookies

Find it online: https://simpelrecipes.com/oldest-christmas-cookie/