SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2024)

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by Katrina Bahl

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GUEST POST:SweetSugarBelle’s Favorite Gingerbread Recipe by Sweet Sugarbelle

Hi, my name is Callye Alvarado, and I might have a cookie problem. Oh who are we kidding? It’s not a problem, it’s a full blown obsession. I love cookie decorating so much that I have an entire blog dedicated to cookies.

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (1)

I bake so many cookies that I’ve become pretty good at resisting the occasional nibble, but that goes away when I break out my gingerbread recipe. It’s so good I think everyone should try it. Even my husband, who’s not a gingerbread fan, admits it is good.

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2)

I prefer to keep my gingerbread decoration simple so that the cookie can shine through. I think they agree!

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (3)

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (4)

Soft and spicy gingerbread cookies

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ c butter
  • 1 c granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ c unsulphered molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. flavoring extract such as vanilla or orange
  • 5-5 ½ c all-purpose flour {sometimes even six}
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼- ½ tsp ground white pepper {optional}

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  • Cream together shortening butter and granulated sugar. Add the molasses and eggs and whip until light and fluffy.

  • Sift all of your dry ingredients into a large bowl then use a measuring cup to add the dry ingredients about 1 cup at a time.

  • Separate the dough into three equal pieces, then wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour or two.

  • Roll out on floured parchment paper to about 1/4 an inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Place the cut out cookies into the freezer for ten minutes or so before baking.

  • Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes for small cookies, 8-10 minutes for medium, and 10-15 minutes for large. Let cool, then decorate with vanilla royal icing.

Original recipes and images © In Katrina's Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?Tag @katrinaskitchen on Instagram with the hashtag #katrinaskitchenrecipes

Thank you for inviting me to attend your annual cookie exchange, Katrina, I always have a blast! Cannot wait to see the cookies yet to come.

Happy holidays, and even happier baking my cookie friends!

If you don’t know Callye you just need to set aside an hour or more to go and get lost in her blog. Her cookies blow me away each and every time she posts. I especially like that she takes the time to explain her designs in easy-to-follow tutorials. I can’t wait to try her gingerbread recipe- I mean this girl KNOWS her cookies. 🙂

You can connect with Callye on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and her blog The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle. Here are a few of her cookies to get you started:

Frosty the Snowman Cupcake Cookies

Brown Sugar Roll Out Cookies

Candy Canes with Bows Cookies

Thanks for bringing the cookies, Callye!

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All Recipes, Christmas, Christmas Cookie Tray Favorites, Cookies, Holidays, I'll Bring the COOKIES

posted on December 10, 2012 — updated November 9, 2020 // 17 comments

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    17 Comments on “SweetSugarBelle’s Favorite Gingerbread Recipe”

  1. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (5)

    Kenny DombroskyReply

    As an avid baker, I’m so embarrassed! After mixing all of the ingredients (I thought), I portioned it into 3 balls, wrapped them up, put them in fridge and discovered I forgot to add the vanilla. What am I supposed to do? Throw everything out, and start over?SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (6)

  2. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (7)

    MelissaReply

    Loved this recipe! Never made gingerbread cookies before, super tasty! I cut the shortening in half and increased the butter. It was a rainy humid day, so I only need 5 1/4 cup of flour, and I added a dash of all spice. Will make these every year for Christmas!

    You should now go checkout Katrina’s sugar cookies!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (8)

  3. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (9)

    Vivien CurtisReply

    Love this recipe. Turned out great!Thanks!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (10)

  4. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (11)

    ShannonReply

    Approximately how many dozen cookies does this recipe make?

  5. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (12)

    SheilaReply

    Best gingerbread cookies EVER!!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (13)

  6. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (14)

    Tia TerrcotReply

    This is kinda confusing…. the flour first of all. 5-51/2 even sometimes 6? Then the extract. The fact that you said “SUCH AS” is just kinda suspicious. Like, are we supposed to use both? Anyway, for the extract I put a tsp of vanilla and 1/2 a tsp of pure lemon extract. it came out really nicely.

  7. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (15)

    AnnaReply

    how about a frosting recipe

  8. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (16)

    TrishReply

    I’m confused about how much flour to use…5 to 5 1/2 and sometimes 6 cups???

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (17)

      Simone

      I do not see where anyone’s questions are answered

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (18)

      Katrina Bahl

      This is not my recipe, so I cannot advise. I will be in touch with the author.

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (19)

      Colette Franklyn

      The 5-51/2 sometimes 6 cups of flour will come into play depending on how your batter comes in when mixed;SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (20)

  9. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (21)

    PatriciaReply

    Would love to bake the gingerbread biscuits. Can the molasses be substituted with golden syrup?
    Would this receipt be suitable to use for a gingerbread house?

  10. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (22)

    Meg FReply

    About how many dozen cookies will this recipie make?

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (23)

      Tia Terrcot

      Thats what i was wondering. With a small sized cookie you can make about 2 dozen. If it is for a big thing than you might want to double it.

  11. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (24)

    linda smartReply

    can u use all butter in this recipe or can we use coconut oil instead of shortening

  12. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (25)

    linda smartReply

    can u use all butter or instead of shortening,,,use coconut oil ?

  13. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (26)

    BrooklynReply

    These are the best tasting gingerbread cookies we have ever made. I don’t have shortening in our house so we always substitute the shortening with butter but it always turns out well. I’ve been asked for the recipe by other people. Thank you for sharing it!

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you substitute maple syrup for molasses in gingerbread cookies? ›

It helps hold them together and gives them a nice, chewy texture. Maple Syrup: We replace molasses with maple syrup in these gingerbread cookies. It adds sweetness and helps achieve the perfect soft and chewy cookie texture.

What makes gingerbread so strong? ›

A 1:4 ratio of butter to flour makes the gingerbread strong. Corn syrup keeps freshly baked gingerbread pliable and soft, so it's easy to cut while warm. Rolling the dough directly on parchment makes it easy to transfer to the pan.

Do you cut gingerbread before or after baking? ›

You need to cut your gingerbread shapes when they're raw, but sometimes they spread or get misshapen when cooking. If this happens, trim your pieces back to their shapes while the gingerbread is still warm.

Is gingerbread healthy? ›

Research has also shown that it may improve dental hygiene, reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Similarly, nutmeg – another common ingredient in gingerbread – is associated with reduced inflammation and may benefit heart health.

What is the best molasses for gingerbread? ›

Medium Or Dark Molasses

“It adds enough bold flavor and sweet notes with a hint of bitterness to any recipe, which is exactly what you want for making gingerbread cookies.” Bourdon added that it's also versatile and can be used for marinades, baked beans, sauces, breads and recipes for other foods.

What is better maple syrup or molasses? ›

Maple syrup has a higher sugar content and a lower mineral content than blackstrap molasses, but its sweet taste is more universal. Two teaspoons of maple syrup provide 22 percent of your daily requirement of manganese, a mineral essential to survival.

Should you chill gingerbread dough before baking? ›

Mistake #2: Not resting your dough

After the gingerbread is cut out, Lomas recommends putting it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes and up to three days. Chilling the dough before it goes into a hot oven gives the butter a chance to firm up and reduces how much it spreads when baking.

How do you know when gingerbread cookies are done baking? ›

As soon as you see that rich, light, honey-brown coloration, you know they're ready to go. They've started to crack around the edges - A well-cooked cookie will often start to crack or crumble slightly around the edges.

How long to rest gingerbread dough? ›

Make sure you rest it overnight in the fridge then bring it out to come to room temp before you start rolling it out. You will be cursing at it if you try to roll it out straight after making it. This Gingerbread will last for months in cello bags or in airtight containers.

Is ginger bread good for your stomach? ›

Digestive Comfort: Gingerbread's Soothing Influence

In gingerbread, ginger's presence can provide a gentle aid to the digestive process, making it a suitable choice after a hearty meal. It's also been used to alleviate nausea, particularly in pregnancy when pharmaceutical antiemetics are out of the question.

How long is gingerbread safe to eat? ›

The general rule of thumb is a couple of weeks. It depends how its prepared and if you used a lot of icing. Also, gingerbread like any other bread turns stale quite fast. Eating it after 1–2 week with tea shouldn't be a problem.

Is gingerbread good for dogs? ›

The answer is no. While you may not immediately see negative affects in your pet's health, gingerbread is high in oil and fats that can slow your pet down. Also, Rover reports that gingerbread can cause pancreatitis in dogs, which sounds like a big ol' NO from us.

Why is molasses used in gingerbread cookies? ›

In the United States, molasses was more readily available and affordable, making it a natural choice for early American bakers. The strong, bold flavor of molasses also complemented the spices used in traditional gingerbread recipes, creating a distinctive American twist on this beloved treat.

Can you use maple syrup instead of golden syrup in gingerbread? ›

Golden syrup - if you're unable to buy golden syrup then you can substitute it for corn syrup, honey or maple syrup. Egg yolk - use just the egg yolk (rather than the whole egg) to make the perfect gingerbread cookie mixture!

What can I substitute for molasses in ginger snaps? ›

Brown sugar is a great substitute for molasses in recipes since it's so often available in the kitchen. Brown sugar is molasses and granulated sugar combined, so you can achieve some similar taste and texture. For every 1 cup of molasses, use 3/4 cup of brown sugar.

Can I substitute maple syrup for brown sugar in cookies? ›

For most recipes, maple syrup can easily be used to replace an equal amount of granulated white or brown sugar. To substitute for a cup of sugar, replace it with 1 cup of maple syrup and reduce the quantity of other liquids in the recipe by ¼ cup (60 ml) total.

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