Easy Gingerbread Cookies
Holiday season in our house means one thing: we’re knee-deep in baking and decorating cookies! We’ve got these healthy sugar cookies officially tagged for Santa, but let’s be real – we all snag more than a nibble. Then, there’s the MVP – gingerbread cookies. The house smells like a holiday dream, and and getting everyone involved in making and decorating them is just pure joy. These cookies are near and dear to our hearts, and we’re delighted to share the recipe with you because it truly is a gem. Simple ingredients, easy to whip up, and the cookies themselves? Absolute perfection with that soft, chewy goodness and that signature gingerbread flavor. Have fun decorating (or not) and enjoy with a glass of milk or a cup of this healthy hot chocolate! And if you are in the mood for a cake, try this healthy gingerbread snack cake :).
Ingredients
I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.
White whole wheat flour – Just a quick look at my baked goods, such as these healthy muffins for kids, and you’ll see that I adore using white whole wheat flour in my baking. It’s the same nutritionally as whole wheat flour but is lighter in texture and a little sweeter in flavor. You can also use all purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour. Unsalted butter – helps make the cookies light and prevents them from becoming too dry or crumbly. Pure maple syrup – a great unrefined sugar alternative. You can also use honey, if desired. Molasses- look for unsulphured molasses and dark molasses for a rich, caramel-like flavor that complements the spices. I do not recommend blackstrap molasses as it is more intense and has a more bittersweet flavor. It also takes these homemade graham crackers to a new level too! Warm spices – ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves Egg yolk – makes the dough easier to work with and produces rich, soft, and chewy cookies. Vanilla extract Icing – you can use homemade or store-bought. Details below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Simple Gingerbread Icing
All you need are powdered sugar, vanilla, a little bit of milk. I like to whisk all the ingredients in a liquid measuring cup and pour into a squeeze bottle (or a piping bag) for the kids to easily decorate! Alternatively, you can grab any of your favorite royal icing from the store for convenience.
Storage Suggestions
In the refrigerator:
In the freezer:
More Healthy Cookies to Try
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me! For decorated cookies, place them in a single layer in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper. OR freeze baked cookies. While you can freeze both decorated and non-decorated, I recommend the latter. Flash freezing method will work best, just like when freezing muffins, as it prevent the cookies from sticking together and allows you to grab only the amount you need.
