Jolly Gingerbread Star Cookies Recipe: Holiday Magic in Bites

Baking these delightful festive gingerbread star cookies will transport you to a winter wonderland of sweet memories.

The warm, spicy aroma of gingerbread wafts through kitchens during holiday celebrations.

Crisp edges and soft centers define these charming star-shaped treats that sparkle with seasonal joy.

Molasses and rich spices create a classic flavor profile that dancers and bakers alike adore.

Each cookie tells a story of tradition and comfort, inviting you to savor every delicate bite.

Decorated with delicate icing or enjoyed plain, these stars will become a cherished part of your holiday baking tradition.

Gather your ingredients and let the festive baking magic begin!

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 140 kcal

Servings: 24

Gather for Gingerbread Star Cookies

• Butter: Rich base that creates tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, choose unsalted for precise flavor control.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness and helps cookies stay moist, look for soft, clump-free texture.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and provides structure, select fresh large eggs at room temperature.
• Molasses: Gives signature gingerbread flavor and deep color, opt for robust or blackstrap varieties.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, choose pure extract over artificial versions.

• All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of cookie structure, sift to prevent lumps and ensure smooth dough.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly, check freshness by testing with vinegar.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies other flavors, use fine grain for even distribution.

• Ground Ginger: Delivers classic warm, spicy notes, fresher spices provide more intense flavor.
• Cinnamon: Adds comforting warmth and depth, Ceylon cinnamon offers more delicate taste.
• Nutmeg: Introduces subtle, aromatic complexity, freshly grated provides more vibrant profile.
• Cloves: Contributes intense, sharp undertone, use sparingly to avoid overwhelming other spices.

What to Use for Gingerbread Star Cookies

• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining wet ingredients smoothly.
• Electric mixer or stand mixer: Essential for beating butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Separate mixing bowl: Needed for whisking dry ingredients.
• Whisk: Great for blending flour and spices evenly.
• Plastic wrap: Used to cover and chill dough discs.
• Star-shaped cookie cutters: Key tool for creating festive star shapes.
• Rolling pin: Helps roll dough to perfect thickness.
• Baking sheets: Necessary for baking cookies.
• Parchment paper or silicone mats: Prevents cookies from sticking.
• Wire cooling rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Offset spatula or thin metal spatula: Helpful for transferring delicate cookies.

Let’s Bake Gingerbread Star Cookies

• Whip Up the Dough

Grab a big mixing bowl and cream together butter and brown sugar until they’re light and dreamy. Splash in egg, molasses, and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and happy. In another bowl, toss together flour, baking soda, salt, and warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.

• Chill Out

Split the dough into two cozy discs, wrap them up in plastic, and let them relax in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This helps the flavors mingle and makes the dough easier to handle.

• Warm Up the Oven

Heat your oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Get ready for some cookie magic!

• Shape and Cut

Dust your countertop with a sprinkle of flour and roll out the dough until it’s thin and even. Use star-shaped cookie cutters to create festive shapes, placing them neatly on the baking sheets.

• Bake to Perfection

Pop the cookies in the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You want the edges to look set but the centers to stay slightly soft and tender.

• Dress Up Your Cookies

Once the cookies are completely cool, let your creativity shine! Drizzle with royal icing, dust with powdered sugar, or add some sparkly sprinkles to make them extra special.

Tips & Ideas for Gingerbread Star Cookies

• Perfect Dough Chilling: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and help cookies maintain their star shape during baking.
• Flour Power Trick: Dust your work surface and rolling pin with flour to prevent sticking and ensure smooth, easy rolling of the delicate dough.
• Gluten-Free Swap: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend to make these cookies suitable for those with gluten sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious gingerbread flavor.
• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Dial up or down the ground spices to match your personal taste preference – more ginger for a stronger kick or less for a milder flavor profile.
• Vegan Transformation: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and ensure all other ingredients are plant-based to create a completely vegan version of these festive star cookies.

How to Share Gingerbread Star Cookies

• Holiday Party Platter: Arrange these gingerbread stars in a festive circular pattern on a white ceramic platter, creating a stunning centerpiece that will wow your guests.
• Gifting Delight: Stack cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with rustic twine, adding a personalized holiday tag for a charming homemade gift that spreads warmth and cheer.
• Dessert Accompaniment: Serve alongside hot mulled wine, spiced cider, or rich hot chocolate, allowing the warm spices of the cookies to complement the cozy winter beverages perfectly.
• Kids' Decorating Station: Set up a fun activity where children can add their own creative touches using colored royal icing, edible glitter, or small candy decorations to personalize each star cookie.

Saving Gingerbread Star Cookies for Later

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, ensuring a crisp texture and delightful flavor.
• Quick Freezing Technique: Wrap unbaked cookie dough discs tightly in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before rolling and baking.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie dough up to 3 days before baking and refrigerate. This method allows spices to blend, intensifying the rich gingerbread flavor.
• Temperature Tips: Store decorated cookies in single layers between parchment paper to prevent icing from smudging. Keep away from direct sunlight and humidity to maintain crisp edges and vibrant decorations.

Festive Gingerbread Star Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 25 1x

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Description

Spiced gingerbread star cookies embody festive holiday cheer from Germany. Crisp edges and warm spices create a delightful treat that will charm guests at any seasonal celebration.

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Ingredients

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• 3 ¼ cups (410g) all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• ¾ cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
• ¾ cup (150g) brown sugar, packed
• ½ cup (120ml) molasses
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsps vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• royal icing or powdered sugar
• sprinkles or edible glitter (optional)

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Instructions

1. Creaming: Whip softened butter with brown sugar until light and fluffy, blending thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to create an airy base.
2. Wet Mixture: Integrate egg, molasses, and vanilla extract into the butter blend, ensuring complete incorporation and smooth consistency.
3. Dry Blend: Combine flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in a separate bowl, creating a fragrant spice mixture.
4. Dough Formation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until a uniform dough develops without overworking the batter.
5. Chilling: Divide dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 60 minutes to enhance flavor and firm up texture.
6. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C), line baking sheets with parchment paper, and prepare a lightly floured work surface.
7. Shaping: Roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thickness, using star-shaped cutters to create precise cookie shapes with minimal excess.
8. Baking: Arrange cookies on prepared sheets with slight separation, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges set and centers remain slightly soft.
9. Cooling: Rest cookies on baking sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and solidify structure.
10. Decorating: Once cooled, adorn with royal icing, dusted powdered sugar, or festive sprinkles to elevate the cookie’s visual presentation.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerate dough for minimum 60 minutes to prevent excessive spreading and enhance spice development, ensuring compact and flavorful cookies.
• Measure Flour Precisely: Use a kitchen scale or spoon-and-level method to avoid dense, dry cookies that can result from over-measuring flour.
• Control Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely during 8-10 minute baking window; slight underbaking creates softer texture while preventing hard, crispy edges.
• Customize Spice Blend: Adjust warm spice ratios to personal preference, increasing ginger for sharper taste or balancing with extra cinnamon for milder warmth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling)
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 25
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 22g
• Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 1.5g
• Cholesterol: 15mg