Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze are the perfect holiday treat, blending the warm spices of gingerbread with a luscious maple glaze for a sweet and festive finish. These cookies are soft, chewy, and sure to become a family favorite.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Irresistibly Soft:ย These cookies have a tender and chewy texture, making them a delightful contrast to crunchier options.
- Perfectly Spiced:ย Featuring ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, theyโre rich with classic holiday flavors.
- Easy to Make:ย Simple ingredients and straightforward steps mean youโll have delicious cookies in no time.
- Beautiful Presentation:ย The maple glaze adds a glossy, elegant touch, making them ideal for gifting or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- All-purpose flour
- Baking soda
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground cloves
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Brown sugar
- Egg
- Molasses
- Vanilla extract
- Powdered sugar (for the glaze)
- Maple syrup (for the glaze)
- Milk (for the glaze)
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them about 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth. Adjust consistency if needed by adding more milk or powdered sugar.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies and let it set before serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings:ย Approximately 24 cookies
- Prep Time:ย 15 minutes
- Cook Time:ย 10 minutes
- Total Time:ย 25 minutes
Variations
- Chocolate Twist:ย Add mini chocolate chips to the dough for a chocolatey upgrade.
- Citrus Touch:ย Add orange zest to the dough for a bright and zesty flavor.
- Spicier Version:ย Increase the amount of ginger and cinnamon for a bolder spice profile.
- Gluten-Free Option:ย Substitute with gluten-free all-purpose flour for a celiac-friendly treat.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage:ย Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing:ย Freeze unglazed cookies in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw and glaze before serving.
- Reheating:ย These cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature, but you can warm them in a microwave for 5-10 seconds for a freshly baked feel.
FAQs
1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the dough for up to 24 hours. Let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before baking.
2. Can I use blackstrap molasses?
Blackstrap molasses can be used, but it has a stronger, slightly bitter flavor. Use regular molasses for a milder taste.
3. How do I make the glaze thicker?
Add more powdered sugar to achieve a thicker consistency for the glaze.
4. Can I skip the glaze?
Yes, the cookies are delicious on their own, but the glaze adds extra sweetness and visual appeal.
5. Can I use a cookie cutter?
This dough is better suited for drop cookies, but you can chill it well and roll it out for cut-out shapes if desired.
6. Can I substitute maple syrup?
Honey or agave syrup can work as substitutes, though they will alter the flavor slightly.
7. Can I make these vegan?
Yes, use plant-based butter, a flax egg, and a non-dairy milk alternative for the glaze.
8. Why did my cookies spread too much?
Ensure the dough is chilled if your kitchen is warm and check your baking soda for freshness.
9. Can I add nuts?
Chopped pecans or walnuts can be mixed into the dough for added texture and flavor.
10. How long does the glaze take to set?
The glaze typically sets within 15-20 minutes, depending on humidity levels.
Conclusion
Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze are a must-try for any cookie lover, especially during the holiday season. Their combination of warming spices and sweet maple glaze creates a flavor profile thatโs as comforting as it is delightful. Whether youโre making them for a party, as gifts, or just for yourself, these cookies are sure to be a hit.
Print
Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These soft gingerbread cookies are a holiday favorite, featuring a tender texture and rich flavors of molasses and spices. The maple glaze adds a sweet finish that complements the spiced cookies perfectly.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup (80ml) molasses
- 2 1/4 cups (295g) all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1โ2 teaspoons ground ginger (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
For the Maple Glaze:
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk (more if needed for consistency)
- Pinch of salt, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and molasses, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Chill the Dough:
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm.
- Bake the Cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough, roll them into balls, and then roll in granulated sugar to coat.
- Place the dough balls 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Bake for 9โ11 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft.
- Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare the Maple Glaze:
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
- Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if necessary. The glaze should be thick but pourable.
- Glaze the Cookies:
- Once the cookies have cooled completely, dip the top of each cookie into the glaze or drizzle the glaze over the cookies.
- Allow the glaze to set before serving.
Notes
- Storage:ย Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Freezing:ย Freeze unglazed cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature, then glaze before serving.
- Spice Adjustments:ย Adjust the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, or nutmeg to suit your taste preferences.
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