Go Back
–+ servings
soft gingerbread cookies with icing on a white plate.
Print Recipe
No ratings yet

Soft Cut Out Gingerbread Cookies (No Chill)

These soft and chewy gingerbread cut out cookies are full of cozy spices and molasses and hold their shape perfectly, no chilling needed. They are ideal for making gingerbread men and other festive shapes for Christmas trays, cookie exchanges, and holiday gifting.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 48
Calories: 79kcal
Author: Cara Lanz

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoons butter, room temperature
  • ⅔ cup dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon cloves
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • gingerbread cookie frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat butter on medium-high with an electric mixer for one minute, until smooth and fluffy. Mix in the sugar and molasses, then the egg and vanilla. Mix well. Sift in the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt (or whisk them in a separate bowl before adding). Mix on low until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix.
  • Form the dough into two balls. Roll each ball to ¼" thickness between layers of parchment paper or on a well-floured surface. Cut with cookie cutters.
  • Place cutouts 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 6-8 minutes or until the edges are set and the cookies are puffy. Cool cookies on the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • Enjoy plain or iced with this simple gingerbread cookie frosting recipe. Add sprinkles and candies while the icing is still wet. Let the icing set for several hours (overnight is fine) to harden.

Notes

*Nutrition info calculated without icing. 
  • For more frosting ideas, try this sugar cookie icing or buttercream frosting -- both dry to a firm, stackable finish. 
  • If the dough is too soft or sticky to work with, chill it in the refrigerator.
  • To roll dough to an even thickness, use dowels or rolling pin guides   
  • For cookie dough rolled in flour, brush any excess flour off the cookies once they've baked and cooled. 
  • For the cleanest edges, roll dough no thicker than ¼". Roll thinner for crispier cookies. 

Nutrition

Calories: 79kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 81IU | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg