Favorite Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Recipe

This gingerbread recipe is one of my favorites because it's simple to make, delicious, and easy on the wallet. I've been baking this recipe for years, and it's always a big hit with friends and family. These gingerbread cookies are soft in the center and slightly crispy on the edges, thanks to a generous amount of molasses. The icing is also just right—not too thick or thin—and it drips down the sides like melted caramel. Plus, you can always count on this old-fashioned gingerbread recipe when you need something sweet to share with family and friends.

Gingerbread Cookies

Instructions:

Pour all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix until combined. Roll into balls, then flatten into discs. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

For a lighter, softer texture, you can substitute cake flour for the all-purpose. If you want denser gingerbread, use whole-wheat flour instead of cake or all-purpose. While self-rising will give you the same final result as our recipe below (i.e., no need to add baking soda or powder), it does have salt added in, so if you're adding extra spices like cinnamon or nutmeg that might affect your taste buds negatively if they come into contact with your tongue before anything else!

We recommend using self-rising flour if you don't have any recipes calling for it on hand—you'll be able to put this recipe together without worrying about whether or not your guests eat gluten!

  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinnamon is a spice that adds a warm, nutty flavor and aroma to gingerbread. It's also delicious on toast, in oatmeal, and sprinkled on top of hot chocolate.

You can use cinnamon instead of cloves or allspice by cutting down the quantity used and adding extra baking soda to make up for it. Cinnamon sticks can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to six months. If you're using powdered cinnamon from a jar or bottle, store it in an airtight container away from heat sources (like the stove) because this type loses its potency over time. You can also keep whole sticks around for when you need them!

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Cloves are a spice you can find in the baking aisle. They are used as an ingredient in many recipes, including gingerbread cookies. If you're looking for a new way to use cloves, try making this old-fashioned gingerbread recipe!

  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice

Now that you're familiar with the recipe and its ingredients, it's time to get cracking. First, preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Next, combine the flour and spices in a large mixing bowl: ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, allspice, and salt. Next, add everything else—firmly packed brown sugar; granulated sugar; molasses; melted butter or margarine; egg—into the same bowl and mix them gently until they form doughy clumps.

It's important not to overmix at this stage because it can make your dough tough instead of light and spongy like you want it. Once everything is evenly incorporated (but not mushy), turn out onto a lightly floured surface or parchment paper sprinkled with flour and knead briefly until smooth but pliable enough not to fall apart when sliced into pieces later on down the line during the baking process itself!

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature

Put the softened butter on the stand mixer. Or, you can use a hand mixer and beaters. Let the butter sit out at room temperature for at least 2 hours before using it to let it soften completely.

If you choose to use a stand mixer rather than a hand-held one, when you add the soft butter into the mixing bowl with your dry ingredients, first use a spatula or spoon to get all of it out of its container and onto your spatula or spoon before transferring it into the mixing bowl. You want to ensure that all of your ingredients are well mixed together so that nothing will end up in clumps later in baking.

  • 2 large eggs at room temperature

Place the eggs in a large bowl and fill it with cold water. Set aside 5-10 minutes, and then check the egg's temperature by holding it under running water. If you have an instant-read thermometer, use it to measure the temperature of your egg.

  • 1 cup packed light-brown sugar
  • 1 cup molasses

I love molasses! It is a thick, brown syrup made from sugarcane or sugar beets. Molasses has a strong, bitter flavor and is used in many recipes.

Royal Icing:

Instructions:

In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat together 4 cups of confectioners' sugar, 4 large egg whites, and 1 teaspoon of tartar until stiff peaks form (about 8 minutes).

In a small bowl, stir together 1/4 cup water, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add liquid ingredients to beaten egg whites, one tablespoon at a time, until thoroughly combined.

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

Once you've sifted the confectioners' sugar, it's time to mix your ingredients. Mix flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Add the brown sugar and mix until well combined. Add melted butter or margarine; stir until smooth. Separate into 2 parts: 1/2 of the dough will be used for shaping the gingerbread men (this part should be stored in the refrigerator). At the same time, the other half will remain at room temperature until it is needed when making your frosting mixture (it can then be refrigerated until ready to use).

  • 4 large egg whites at room temperature

If you don't have room-temperature egg whites, you can put them in a bowl and let them sit for a few minutes.

How to Serve Delicious Gingerbread Cookies?

There are many ways to enjoy gingerbread cookies. 

  • Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. 
  • Try a cup of hot coffee or tea, plain or with a splash of Bailey's Irish Cream liqueur. 
  • For breakfast, try eating them cold with whipped cream and sprinkles on top!
  • Use a cookie cutter to cut out gingerbread shapes like stars or hearts.
  • Put the gingerbread cookies in tins, wrap them up, and then give them away as gifts!
  • Serve on stylish disposable plastic plates.

This recipe is a great way to share delicious gingerbread with your loved ones. It's easy to make, and you can make it in advance. But, of course, you can also make it at home. It's also a great way to get kids involved in the kitchen. They'll have fun measuring and stirring ingredients together, and you can help them scoop the batter onto baking sheets for an activity they'll love doing with you. This recipe is sure to be a hit with everyone!