Description
Homemade soft gingerbread cookies with maple glaze emerge as a delightful winter treat from classic American baking traditions. Warm spices and sweet maple notes create a comforting dessert perfect for holiday gatherings and cozy afternoons.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Mixture: Sift flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt together in a mixing bowl, ensuring uniform distribution of spices.
- Cream Butter Blend: Whip butter with granulated and brown sugars using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the cookie dough.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Fold molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring until completely integrated and creating a cohesive liquid foundation.
- Form Dough: Gently incorporate dry ingredients into wet components, mixing until just combined to preserve the delicate texture of the dough, then wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare Baking Station: Heat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats, creating an optimal surface for cookie preparation.
- Shape and Bake: Roll dough into uniform tablespoon-sized balls, spacing them evenly on prepared sheets, and bake for 8-10 minutes until edges are set and centers remain slightly soft.
- Cool and Glaze: Let cookies rest on baking sheet for 5 minutes, transfer to cooling rack, then create maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Finish Cookies: Drizzle glossy maple glaze over completely cooled cookies using a spoon or piping tool, allowing glaze to set before serving and enjoying the soft, spiced treats.
Notes
- Chill Dough Properly: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to prevent spreading and enhance flavor development, ensuring cookies maintain a perfect soft texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture to prevent tough, dense cookies by keeping gluten development minimal.
- Monitor Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely during 8-10 minute baking window, removing when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft for ultimate tenderness.
- Glaze After Complete Cooling: Allow cookies to cool entirely before applying maple glaze to prevent melting and ensure a clean, crisp glaze finish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 25
- Calories: 159
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg