Easy Gingerbread Cookies Recipe Without Molasses

SIMPLE GINGERBREAD COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 F (170 C). Line two sheet pans with parchment paper and set aside.
• Put the cold cubed butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Mix the butter and sugar on medium speed for about 3 minutes, until well combined. It won't really be creamed. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
• Add the egg, salt, ginger, cinnamon, clove, and allspice (if using) to the bowl. Mix for 1 minute more on medium speed until all the ingredients are incorporated. Scrape down the bowl again.
• With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the flour into the bowl. Mix just until combined. This will be a very thick dough, and you may need to knead it gently with your hands until it comes together.
• Gather the dough together into a ball and divide it in half. Lightly flour a clean work surface and start with half of the dough. Lightly flour the top of the dough and a rolling pin. Roll out to about 1/4"-1/3" thick. Thicker will produce softer cookies and thinner will produce crispier cookies. Alternatively, you can roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper.
• Cut out your cookies and place them on a parchment or silicone mat lined baking sheet.
• Bake at 350 F (170 C) for 9-12 minutes. I like my cookies cut out 1/3" thick and baked for about 10 minutes. This produces cookies with slightly crispy edges and soft centers. Longer baking times will produce crispier cookies.
• If you are decorating the cookies with candies and sprinkles, as I did in the pictures, press them into the cookies when they are still hot. If you are frosting the cookies, allow them to cool completely first. I like to use this super simple 3 ingredient icing.
• Store cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

EASY GINGERBREAD COOKIES RECIPE WITHOUT MOLASSES

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
• In another large bowl, mix butter and brown sugar until well combined. Mix in the honey, egg and vanilla.
• Add the flour mixture to the liquid mixture and mix until combined.
• Shape the dough into a rectangle and wrap it in a plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight (or up to a week).
• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface until it's 1/8-inch thick.
• Cut out the gingerbread cookies using the cookie cutters.
• Put the cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes.
• Remove the gingerbread cookies from the oven and sprinkle with white sugar or decorate with icing of your choice.

GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITHOUT MOLASSES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Combine butter and sugar in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add egg and beat until light and fluffy. Mix in corn syrup and orange peel until well combined.
• Sift together flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt in a separate bowl; stir into creamed butter mixture until blended. Shape dough into several balls, wrap in plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled, at least 1 hour.
• Working in batches, place one ball of chilled dough on a floured surface and roll to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out cookies with desired cookie cutters and place on ungreased cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
• Bake in the preheated oven until edges are firm, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

MOLASSES-FREE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until color gets light.
• Beat in egg.
• In a separate bowl blend together all dry ingredients including spices.
• Blend into butter mixture until evenly mixed and ball of dough forms.
• If you want to use cookie cutters- form dough into a ball and then flatten slightly, wrap and chill.
• Preheat oven to 375°F once dough is chilled.
• Roll chilled dough out onto very lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick and cut into the shape you covet.
• Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 375°F for about 6-9 minutes. These cookies will spread a little so try to keep them at least 1/2 inch apart on the cookie sheet.
• Cookies are done when just barely golden around the edges.
• To keep them crisp cool them on a wire rack.
• Once completely cool you can frost them or just eat them plain.
• NOTE: If you are going the easy route you can also roll dough into a log, wrap and chill and then just slice into circles and bake instead of using cookie cutters.