Gingerbread Ornament Cookie Delight (Printable version)

Spiced gingerbread treats shaped as festive ornaments, ideal for holiday celebrations and sweet enjoyment.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
10 - 2/3 cup unsulphured molasses
11 - 1 large egg
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ For Decorating

13 - Royal icing (homemade or store-bought)
14 - Assorted sprinkles, edible glitter, or silver dragees
15 - Thin ribbons or twine for hanging

# How to Make It:

01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, beat unsalted butter and dark brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and continue beating until fully combined.
04 - Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide the dough into two halves, flatten each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll each dough disk to a 1/4-inch thickness and cut shapes using ornament or holiday cookie cutters.
08 - Use a straw or skewer to punch a hole near the top of each cookie for hanging.
09 - Place cookies on prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
10 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are firm. Let rest on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.
11 - Once cooled, decorate cookies with royal icing and sprinkles as desired. Allow icing to set fully.
12 - Thread thin ribbons or twine through the holes to hang the ornaments.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These cookies taste like the holidays smell—warm spices that transport you straight to cozy December moments
  • They're sturdy enough to hang on a tree but tender enough to enjoy as a treat, giving you the best of both worlds
  • Once you master the basic dough, you'll find yourself experimenting with different cutters and decorations every year
02 -
  • The hole poked while dough is still warm will stay clean and perfect—wait until after baking and it crumbles and tears, sometimes collapsing entirely once cool
  • Don't skip the chill time thinking you'll rush the process. Cold dough spreads less and bakes more evenly, resulting in better texture and shape definition
  • Baking at 350°F instead of a higher temperature is non-negotiable here—these spiced cookies need gentle, even heat to cook through without burning the edges
03 -
  • Room temperature butter creams evenly and incorporates air properly—if it's cold, your dough will be harder to work with and won't develop the right texture
  • If you want crispier cookies (which some people prefer for hanging), bake for an extra 1-2 minutes until they feel just slightly firm all the way through rather than having a tender center

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