If you are looking for a festive treat that captures the warm, spicy essence of the holidays while adding a creamy, tangy twist, this Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is an absolute must-try. These cookies bring together the perfect balance of soft gingerbread spices with a luscious, smooth cream cheese frosting that is both elegant and comforting. Whether you’re baking for a cozy night in or a joyful celebration, these cookies will delight your taste buds and bring smiles all around.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients that each play their part in creating a perfect combination of flavor, texture, and color. From the warm spices to the silky frosting, every element works harmoniously to make these cookies unforgettable.
- ¾ cup butter (softened): Provides richness and tenderness to the cookie dough.
- 1 cup sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light texture when creamed with butter.
- 1 egg: Binds the ingredients together while adding moisture.
- ¼ cup molasses: Delivers that classic deep, caramel-like flavor essential to gingerbread.
- 2 ¼ cup flour: Forms the structure of the cookies, ensuring they are soft yet sturdy.
- 2 tsp ground ginger: The star spice that gives gingerbread its signature warm zing.
- 1 tsp baking soda: Helps the cookies rise slightly and gives them a tender crumb.
- ¾ tsp cinnamon: Adds a sweet, aromatic depth that complements the ginger perfectly.
- Extra sugar (for rolling): Creates a delightful sugary crust on each cookie.
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter (softened): For the frosting’s creamy base, enriching its smooth texture.
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese (softened): Brings a tangy creaminess that balances the spices beautifully.
- 1 lb. powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to a perfect consistency.
- Holiday sprinkles: Adds fun, festive flair for presentation and a slight crunch.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures a perfectly hot environment ready to bake your cookies to golden perfection.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to incorporating air, making your cookies tender.
Step 3: Add Egg and Molasses
Mix in the egg and molasses thoroughly. The molasses gives the dough its distinctive color and rich flavor, while the egg ensures everything binds nicely.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Stir in the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and cinnamon until the dough is uniform. These spices and leaveners work together to give the cookies their classic gingerbread texture and lift.
Step 5: Form Dough Balls
Divide the dough into six equal portions and roll each into a ball. Consistency here helps your cookies bake evenly.
Step 6: Sugar Coat the Dough
Roll each dough ball generously in the extra sugar. This coats the cookie, providing a sparkling finish and that pleasant initial crunch.
Step 7: Arrange for Baking
Place the sugared dough balls onto a large cookie sheet, leaving ample space between each to allow spreading. There’s no rush—baking in two batches is perfectly fine.
Step 8: Bake the Cookies
Bake for 13-15 minutes until the cookies are set and display a charming cracked surface. These cracks are a visual cue of gingerbread perfection.
Step 9: Cool the Cookies
Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes. This resting time helps them firm up before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 10: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the cookies are cooling, get started on the frosting by creaming together the softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy.
Step 11: Add Powdered Sugar
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar to the creamed mixture. Keep beating until it reaches a light, spreadable texture that’s perfect for piping.
Step 12: Frost the Cookies
Fill a piping bag fitted with a round tip (or use a Ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off) with the frosting. Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cookies in a spiral pattern, then sprinkle the top with festive holiday sprinkles for that extra touch of joy.
Step 13: Enjoy!
You’ve just created a batch of enchanting Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe that are ready to be shared and savored.
How to Serve Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
Beyond holiday sprinkles, try adding a tiny dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the frosting for an extra aromatic hint. Crushed candy canes can also work beautifully to add a festive, minty crunch.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair wonderfully with a warm cup of spiced chai tea or rich hot chocolate. If you’re serving at a party, a platter of fresh fruit like sliced apples or oranges can balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Layer the cookies on a decorative plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary or cinnamon sticks for an inviting table display. You can also tie a few cookies with a ribbon as cute edible gifts. Serving with small bowls of extra frosting for dipping can add a fun interactive element.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover gingerbread cookies with cream cheese frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, thanks to the cooling effect preserving the cream cheese topping.
Freezing
You can freeze the plain gingerbread cookies before frosting by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Freeze frosting separately in an airtight container, then thaw both before frosting and serving.
Reheating
Gingerbread cookies are best enjoyed at room temperature. If you prefer a warm cookie, warm it gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before frosting or serving, but avoid heating the frosted cookies to keep the cream cheese topping intact.
FAQs
Can I use a stand mixer for this Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?
Absolutely! Using a stand mixer can make creaming the butter and sugar even easier and faster, allowing you to achieve that perfect fluffy texture with little effort.
What can I substitute for molasses?
If you don’t have molasses on hand, you can use dark corn syrup or honey, but keep in mind this will slightly alter the flavor and color of your gingerbread cookies.
Can these cookies be made gluten-free?
Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend that includes xanthan gum, you can enjoy these cookies without gluten. Just watch the dough consistency and adjust as needed.
How thick should I pipe the cream cheese frosting?
A medium thickness works best so the frosting holds its shape but is still easy to bite into. You want about a quarter-inch layer that’s elegant and delicious rather than overwhelming.
Are these cookies good for making gingerbread houses?
These cookies are soft and tender, so they are best enjoyed as simple hand-held treats rather than structural pieces for gingerbread houses, which usually require sturdier dough.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe enough for your holiday baking or whenever you crave a comforting, delicious cookie. It’s a charming blend of spice, sweetness, and creamy tang that will quickly become a go-to in your recipe collection. Grab your apron, invite some friends or family, and dive into the joy of baking these classic, irresistible cookies.
