Gingerbread cookies with royal icing are the perfect holiday treat — sweet, spiced, and beautifully decorated. These cookies bring joy to every gathering, and they’re simple enough to bake at home. Let’s dive into the fun and festive process of making them!
Ingredients
For the Gingerbread Cookies:
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- one tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- half teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Royal Icing:
- 2 large egg whites (or 1/4 cup meringue powder)
- 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Water (as needed)
Recipe (Procedure)
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, cream the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, and mix until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a dough forms. If it’s too sticky, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Dough
Roll the chilled dough onto a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape your cookies — gingerbread men, stars, or any festive shapes you like. Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between them. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges. Let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 3: Make the Royal Icing
While the cookies cool, prepare the royal icing. Beat the egg whites (or meringue powder) in a bowl until stiff peaks form. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue mixing until smooth and glossy. Add lemon juice and adjust the consistency with a few drops of water if needed — the icing should be thick enough to pipe but still smooth.
Step 4: Decorate the Cookies
Once the cookies are cool, transfer the royal icing to piping bags or squeeze bottles and decorate your cookies with intricate designs. Let the icing dry completely before serving or storing.
Conclusion
These gingerbread cookies with royal icing are an easy way to bring festive fun into your kitchen. With a little creativity, they’ll become a holiday favorite in no time!
P.S. Don’t forget to snap a pic — they’re too cute to miss!
