Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Gingerbread Cookies recipe is a soft and chewy recipe, which is made with rich molasses and warm ginger. It’s the perfect holiday treat, ready in about 30 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Gingerbread Cookies Ingredients
A classic combination for a perfectly spiced, old-fashioned cookie.
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling (optional)
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup unsulphured molasses
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp dried ground ginger
How To Make Pioneer Woman Gingerbread Cookies
A step-by-step guide to these wonderfully soft, spiced, and chewy cookies.
- Prep Oven and Cream Butter: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar together for 2-3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg and the molasses until well combined.
- Combine Dough: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll and Bake: Form or scoop the dough into balls that are slightly smaller than a golf ball. If desired, roll each ball in a bowl of granulated sugar to coat. Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet, about 2-3 inches apart.
- Bake and Cool: Bake for 10-12 minutes. The cookies will look puffy and soft. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about ten minutes to set before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Recipe Tips
For the perfect, chewy gingerbread cookie every time.
- How to get perfectly chewy cookies? The secret is to not overbake them. Pull the cookies from the oven when the centers still look slightly soft and puffy. They will continue to firm up as they cool on the hot baking sheet, which is what creates their signature chewy texture.
- Can I use blackstrap molasses? It’s best to use a standard unsulphured molasses for this recipe. Blackstrap molasses has a much stronger, more bitter flavor that can be overpowering in a sweet cookie.
- Do I have to chill the dough? It’s not required for this recipe, making it a very quick cookie to whip up. However, if your kitchen is very warm and the dough feels overly sticky, you can chill it for 30 minutes to make it easier to roll. Chilling will also result in slightly thicker cookies that spread less.
- How can I get a stronger spice flavor? This recipe has a balanced spice profile. As the original notes suggest, if you are a big fan of ginger or cinnamon, you can easily increase the amount of either spice by up to double for a bolder flavor.
What To Serve With Gingerbread Cookies
The perfect accompaniment for this classic, comforting cookie.
These soft and spicy cookies are a perfect treat, especially during the fall and winter holidays. They are a classic pairing with:
- A tall, cold glass of milk
- A hot cup of black coffee or a spiced chai latte
- A scoop of vanilla bean or eggnog ice cream to make a festive cookie sandwich
How To Store Gingerbread Cookies
Keeping your cookies soft and fresh.
- Room Temperature: Once completely cooled, store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay soft and chewy for up to a week. Placing a slice of bread in the container is a classic trick to help them stay extra soft.
Pioneer Woman Gingerbread Cookies Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per cookie.
- Calories: 143kcal
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 6g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
What makes these cookies soft instead of crispy like a gingersnap?
The use of butter (instead of shortening) and the specific ratio of ingredients create a softer dough. Most importantly, the shorter baking time ensures the cookies don’t dry out, resulting in a soft, chewy texture rather than a hard, crispy u0022snap.u0022
Can I add icing to these cookies?
Absolutely! While the sugar coating is classic, these would be delicious with a simple vanilla glaze or a tangy cream cheese frosting.
Can I freeze the dough?
Yes, this cookie dough freezes beautifully. Scoop the dough into balls, roll them in sugar (if desired), and then place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet to freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dough balls to a freezer-safe bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Iced Oatmeal Cookies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Molasses Cookies Recipe
Pioneer Woman Gingerbread Cookies Recipe
Description
Classic, old-fashioned, and incredibly soft and chewy gingerbread molasses cookies, perfectly spiced and rolled in sugar for a beautiful, crackly finish.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and ginger.
- On low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Roll the dough into balls slightly smaller than a golf ball. If desired, roll each ball in granulated sugar.
- Place the balls on an ungreased baking sheet, 2-3 inches apart.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until the tops are cracked and the centers are still soft. Let cool on the pan for 10 minutes before moving to a wire rack.
Notes
- u003cliu003eIt is crucial not to over-bake these cookies to maintain their soft and chewy texture. They should look slightly underdone in the center when you remove them from the oven.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor a stronger spice flavor, you can increase the amount of ginger or cinnamon.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis dough does not require chilling, making it a very quick cookie recipe from start to finish.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUse a standard, unsulphured molasses for the best classic flavor.u003c/liu003e
