Name: Moist Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 25
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¼ cup (80 ml) molasses; 1 large egg; 1 tsp vanilla extract; ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened; ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar; ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar; 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking soda; 2 tsps ground ginger; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; ½ tsp ground cloves; ¼ tsp nutmeg; ¼ tsp salt; 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar; 2 tbsps pure maple syrup; 12 tbsps (180 ml) milk; ¼ tsp vanilla extract

Delectable holiday spices dance through this amazing gingerbread cookies with maple glaze recipe, creating a warmth that fills your kitchen with comfort.

Soft, tender edges combine with rich molasses undertones to deliver an irresistible treat.

Dark brown sugar and ground ginger meld into a deeply satisfying cookie that promises pure seasonal delight.

Hints of cinnamon and nutmeg weave through each perfectly baked morsel.

The luxurious maple glaze adds a sweet, silky finish that elevates these cookies from simple to spectacular.

Each bite tells a story of traditional baking magic and festive cheer.

Prepare to be enchanted by these melt-in-your-mouth gingerbread cookies that will become your new winter signature dessert.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 174 kcal

Servings: 24

For Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and soft texture.
Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and creates a tender crumb with slight airiness.
Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness in the recipe.

For Warm Spices:

Ground Ginger: Delivers a zesty, warm kick characteristic of classic gingerbread.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds rich, comforting sweetness and depth to the cookie.
Ground Cloves: Provides intense, aromatic warmth with a slightly pungent note.
Ground Nutmeg: Introduces a subtle, nutty undertone that complements other spices.

For Wet Ingredients:

Unsalted Butter: Creates rich, creamy texture and helps cookies maintain softness.
Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and contribute to cookie's moisture.
Molasses: Gives deep, complex flavor and helps maintain soft, chewy texture.
Large Egg: Binds ingredients and adds richness to the cookie dough.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity and adds subtle sweetness.

For Maple Glaze:

Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with perfect drizzling consistency.
Maple Syrup: Adds authentic, rich sweetness with distinctive maple flavor.
Milk: Adjusts glaze thickness and helps blend ingredients seamlessly.

Kitchen Tools for Your Cozy Gingerbread Baking

Mixing Bowls: Medium and large sizes for combining dry and wet ingredients.
Hand or Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, beating ingredients smoothly.
Whisk: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients and creating maple glaze.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for ingredients.
Baking Sheets: Two sheets for evenly baking cookies.
Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking, ensures easy removal.
Wire Rack: Helps cookies cool completely after baking.
Spoon or Piping Bag: For drizzling maple glaze over cooled cookies.
Plastic Wrap: Covers dough during refrigeration.

How to Bake These Soft Maple-Glazed Beauties

Create Cookie Base

Mix dry ingredients like flour, spices, and salt in one bowl. In another bowl, whip butter and sugars until creamy and soft. Blend in molasses, egg, and vanilla for rich flavor.

Chill Dough

Combine wet and dry mixtures gently. Wrap dough and refrigerate for minimum one hour to develop deep, complex taste.

Prepare Baking Station

Heat oven to 350F. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.

Shape and Bake Cookies

Roll dough into small balls. Place on prepared sheets with space between each cookie. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges look set but centers remain slightly tender.

Cool Cookies

Let cookies rest on baking sheet for few minutes. Transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.

Craft Maple Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla until smooth. Adjust liquid or sugar for perfect drizzling consistency.

Decorate and Serve

Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies using spoon or piping bag. Allow glaze to set before enjoying delightful treat.

Maple Glaze Tips to Nail the Finish

Soft Cookie Perfection: Tips for Irresistible Gingerbread Treats
Chilling Dough Magic: Refrigerate the dough for at least an hour to prevent spreading and enhance the rich, deep flavors of spices. Overnight chilling works wonders for extra-developed taste.
Soft Texture Secret: Pull cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked. They'll continue firming up while cooling, ensuring that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
Glaze Like a Pro: Use a squeeze bottle or piping bag for neat, even maple glaze drizzling. Let glaze set completely at room temperature for a beautiful, smooth finish.
Dietary Flexibility: Swap out butter for vegan margarine and use a flax egg to make these cookies completely plant-based. Gluten-free bakers can substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Serving Gingerbread with Holiday Charm

Festive Holiday Platter: Arrange cookies on a rustic wooden board with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cinnamon sticks for a charming winter presentation.
Cozy Tea Time Companion: Pair these soft gingerbread cookies with a warm mug of spiced chai or vanilla rooibos tea for a comforting afternoon treat.
Dessert Gifting Delight: Package cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, perfect for holiday hostess gifts or cookie exchange parties.
Versatile Dessert Styling: Crumble cookies over vanilla ice cream or use as a delightful topping for pumpkin cheesecake for an unexpected twist.

Keeping Cookies Moist and Delicious

Quick Chill Method: Wrap cookie dough in plastic film and flatten into a disc for faster cooling. Refrigeration helps develop deeper flavors and prevents spreading during baking.
Smart Storage Strategy: Stack glazed cookies between parchment paper layers inside an airtight container. Keep at room temperature for optimal softness, lasting up to 5 days.
Freezing Friendly Approach: Prepare unbaked cookie dough balls and freeze on a baking sheet. Transfer frozen dough balls to a sealed bag, storing up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
Make-Ahead Magic: Complete dough preparation 24 hours before baking. Chilling allows spices to meld, creating richer, more complex gingerbread cookie flavor profiles. Dough stays fresh when tightly sealed in refrigerator.

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
Food styling and photography for digital platforms.

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes.

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.