Wilton Gingerbread Cookies

This gingerbread cookies recipe has the perfect combination of ginger and molasses flavors, without being overpowering. 

These favorite gingerbread cookies are tasty and perfect canvases for decorating, making them irresistible to holiday guests.

Top your holiday cupcakes with cookies. What a quick and easy way to decorate for the holidays.

Ingredients 

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• Royal icing (optional)

Instructions 

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves).
3. In a large saucepan, melt the shortening and cool slightly. Stir in sugar, molasses and egg and mix well. Add 2 cups flour mixture and mix well.
4. Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and nead in the remaining dry ingredients by hand. Add additional flour, if necessary, to make firm dough.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters of your choice and cut out cookies from the dough.
6. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet until lightly browned on edges for about 10-15 minutes. Cool on a cookie sheet placed on a cooling grid for 3 minutes. Remove from the cookie sheet and cool completely on the wire rack.

Notes

• Best icing for decorating gingerbread cookies: Royal icing is the ideal recipe for icing these gingerbread men because of its hard-drying finish. Buttercream is another great option for decorating for those who prefer frosting.
• To decorate: There are infinite ways to decorate your gingerbread cookies. For an elegant look, sprinkle powdered sugar on top of your finished cookies. If you’re after a more classic look, use royal icing to draw on details like a smiling face and buttons. Christmas sprinkles can be used to add a colorful twist or include red hots for a spicy pop of color.
• Gingerbread houses: This recipe is also suitable for making gingerbread houses. If you’re interested in creating a pre-made gingerbread house, check out our gingerbread kits. Find gingerbread house kits and other fun gingerbread creations like cars, castles, and even a lighthouse!
• Texture: Texture will depend on how long they are baked. For a softer center, bake less. For a uniformly crispy cookie, bake longer.
• For blonde gingerbread: Substitute 3/4 cup light corn syrup for molasses.
• To store dough: If you’re not going to use your gingerbread dough right away, wrap your dough in plastic and refrigerate. Refrigerated dough will keep for a week.