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Gingerbread Sugar Cookies: Easy Recipe with Cream Cheese Icing

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These gingerbread sugar cookies are impossibly tender, perfectly spiced, and topped with a generous layer of tangy cream cheese icing. Quick to make and crowd-pleasing, they’re ideal for festive occasions or cozy afternoons.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (15g)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder (5g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (2g)
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger (4g)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (2g)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (0.5g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (115g)
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (100g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (5ml)
  • 1/4 cup unsulphured molasses (60ml)
  • For the Cream Cheese Icing:
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened (85g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (30g)
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, sifted (150g)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (2.5ml)
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk (15-30ml), as needed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter with brown sugar and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
  4. Beat in egg and vanilla extract. Add molasses and mix until fully combined.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Mix on low until a soft dough forms. If too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour.
  6. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll into balls (about 1-inch diameter). For cut-out shapes, roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness and cut with cookie cutter.
  7. Place cookies 2 inches apart on baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look puffed. Cookies should be soft.
  8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack and cool completely before icing.
  9. For icing: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1-2 tablespoons milk. Mix until creamy and spreadable.
  10. Spread or pipe cream cheese icing generously over cooled cookies. Decorate with sprinkles or cinnamon if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free cookies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Vegan adaptations are possible with plant-based butter, cream cheese, and a flaxseed egg. Chill dough for 10 minutes if sticky. Cookies taste even better the next day as flavors develop. Store iced cookies in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: gingerbread, sugar cookies, cream cheese icing, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, easy cookie recipe, festive dessert, soft cookies, spiced cookies

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/gingerbread-sugar-cookies-easy-recipe-with-cream-cheese-icing/