Easy Iced Gingerbread Cookies

The fragrant aroma of gingerbread cookies remind me of Christmas.

Let me show you how easy they are to make and decorate like a pro if you follow a simple family recipe and this Instructable which is full of tips, photos and directions to make your cookies not only tasty but a beautiful success!

You'll find these cookies are a great gift idea to give those hard to shop for people. They can be cut with any of your favorite cookie cutters or into simple round shapes and the decorating possibilities are almost endless! You can use a variety of colors and designs to make your cookies extra special.

These gingerbread cookies are not very sweet, so you can either leave them plain, or follow my BONUS RECIPE for Hard-Set Icing and follow the photo filled directions and tips for successful decorating.

So let's get started.

Step 1: Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

For the Gingerbread Cookies you will need:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour (plus additional flour for rolling dough)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened (salted, or unsalted & 1/2 tsp. salt)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup golden corn syrup
1 egg

Additional butter or non-stick spray for cookie sheets. Paper towel to grease sheets.

Tools & Equipment:

You will need 2 large mixing bowls
Electric mixer and beaters (I use a $15 hand mixer)
Measuring cups and spoons
Spatula (to scrape sides of bowl)
Cookie Sheets (2 is preferred, but one is fine as long as you allow it to cool between batches)
Cookie Cutter(s) (or a small round glass or container to cut out simple round shapes)
Rolling Pin
Plastic Wrap
Spatula or cake server (or a simple butter spreader to transfer cookies)
Oven Mitts or Pot holders
Wire Rack (to cool cookies) or a cool paper towel lined pan.

Optional Items (used in tips)

Wax Paper & packing tape
Skewers

Tip 1: For successful rolling of dough, keep your rolling pin in the freezer!

Hard-Set Icing Recipe & Decorating Tips Follow the Gingerbread Cookie Recipe!

Comments

[sugarandmeringue]

These are beautiful and they sound delicious! Can't wait to try that recipe!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you very much. I appreciate you checking out my cookie entry. I really liked yours, it looks fantastic.

I had to give you my vote! :D

[cataract]

Hello :D

a well written and detailed guide :D and looks pretty yummy too =)
will give it a go and try cook them my self :D

voted!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you very much cataract!

I appreciate the comments and the vote.

Look forward to seeing your projects soon, and welcome to Instructables :D

canucksgirl

[WUVIE]

Thank you for the inspiration! For years, actual years, I have been collecting cookie cutters, with an emphasis on snowflakes. I've put it off so long, and I think it is about time to do something about it.

I look forward to trying your icing recipe!

Great instrucatable!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you for the comment. As a new member, it's appreciated.
I'm glad you found inspiration from my recipes! I absolutely LOVE snowflakes and I am very pleased with how they turned out.

When you get yours done, post me your pics. I'd really like to see them.

BTW: I entered this in the cookie contest (hoping to win the KitchenAid), I would sure appreciate your vote! :)

Thanks again!

[WUVIE]

You've got my vote! :-)

[canucksgirl]

Thank you. That's awesome. You have no idea how much I love that darn Kitchen Aid....

BTW, when/if you get your cookies made, post me a picture here (or PM me). I'd love to see your snowflakes!

Thanks again!

[Random_Canadian]

Nicely done!!! I've been looking for a recipe that doesn't turn out black hole hard when cooked. although I probably shouldn't cook with ADD.

thanks!!!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you :D If you follow my recipe you won't make inedible hockey pucks - You'll have yummy cookies ;)

[PotatoCoffee]

They look great!

[canucksgirl]

Thank you. I hope you'll give the recipe a try. They are quite easy to make.

[PotatoCoffee]

Sure I will!

[canucksgirl]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

[sunshiine]

Where did you find such pretty cookie cutters?

[canucksgirl]

There is a store near where I live that is to die for! They have EVERYTHING you could possibly ever need, want or could ever dream of. They have cake pans to buy or rent, hundreds of cookie cutters, candy and chocolate molds, flavorings, hundreds of food colors in gel, powder, edible metallics and sparkles, plus more candy decorations than you could ever imagine. The list really goes on...

Seriously, the first time I went there, I felt like a 5 year old. I wanted to jump up and down and scream in excitement. :D

[WUVIE]

I share your enthusiasm for kitchen goodies. It is nice to know
someone else out there can be so happy over things like this.

:-)

[canucksgirl]

Yes, its nice to hear that I'm not the only one. :)

[sunshiine]

Lucky you! I live in a small town that you can't find anything different. So frustrating for me because I like the unusual stuff you can do beautiful things with for other people. Like ironing their sheets. I remember I went looking for linen water and no one here knew what it was. My day is coming when we move.

[canucksgirl]

My mom says the exact same thing all the time. They live in a small town and she's always complaining that she has all these ideas but she can't find any of the things she needs. That's probably why I end up carting over half the free world when I go there to visit so that I can bring her all the stuff she can't find. Maybe you can get one of your kids to bring along some things or buy online. You can't go wrong there.

[sunshiine]

I do have request of them. But then mom does not wish to be tooooo needy.

[canucksgirl]

My mom never wants to be either, that's why I usually have to pry it out of her because I do remember what living in a small town was like... ugh.

[sunshiine]

Oh my goodness! What lovely cookies! You did save me one or two right? They look amazing! Wishedmine had been as beautiful : (
Sunshiine

[canucksgirl]

Aww Thank you for the kind words! I just finished up with them this evening. One of my last projects before Christmas and there are plenty of extras here for you too.

Plus, I saw your pics they were very cute looking! don't be so tough on yourself. :D

[sunshiine]

Oh I can taste them now. I have dough to make in the fridge but not sure if I will crank them out tonight. I really want them to turn out awesome!

[canucksgirl]

I have faith in you sunshiine. They'll turn out great! :D

[sunshiine]

Thanks

[canucksgirl]

You are very welcome. Message me when your pictures are ready. :)