Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze Recipe: Cozy Holiday Magic

Whipping up soft gingerbread cookies with maple glaze brings pure winter magic into your kitchen.

Warm spices dance through the dough, creating an irresistible aroma.

Molasses and cinnamon weave together delightful memories of cozy afternoons.

Baking these treats feels like wrapping yourself in a sweet, comforting blanket.

Each batch promises a delectable experience that connects you to cherished seasonal traditions.

Rich maple glaze adds a luxurious finish that makes these cookies absolutely unforgettable.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of these mouthwatering delights.

Why Soft Gingerbread Cookies Steal the Show

• Savor Family-Friendly Comfort: These soft gingerbread cookies bring warm holiday memories right to your kitchen, creating delightful moments for everyone to enjoy together.
• Master Simple Baking Skills: With straightforward steps and basic ingredients, home bakers of all levels can confidently create these delectable treats without complicated techniques.
• Customize with Creative Touches: Transform the cookies by adding festive sprinkles or experimenting with different glaze consistencies, making each batch uniquely yours.
• Capture Seasonal Charm: Embrace the classic winter flavor profile with rich ginger and sweet maple, bringing cozy warmth to any gathering or quiet afternoon at home.

Sweet Ingredients for These Spiced-Up Cookies

• Butter: A key ingredient that provides richness and helps create a soft cookie texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy cookie base.
• Egg: Binds the ingredients together and adds moisture to the cookie dough.
• Molasses: Gives the cookies a deep, warm flavor and contributes to their soft texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: The main structure of the cookie that provides body and texture.
• Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and creates a soft, tender crumb.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookies.
• Ground Ginger: Provides the signature spicy warmth of gingerbread cookies.

• Melted Butter, Maple Syrup, Powdered Sugar, Milk, Salt: A combination that creates a smooth, sweet maple glaze with a rich flavor and glossy finish.

• Sprinkles: Adds a festive touch and extra visual appeal to the finished cookies.

How to Bake Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Magic

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Egg
• Molasses

Whip these ingredients until they become fluffy and well blended.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Ground ginger

Slowly fold the dry mixture into the wet ingredients until a soft, cohesive dough forms.

Step 4: Shape Cookie Balls

Roll the dough into small spheres, each slightly smaller than a golf ball. Gently coat each ball in sugar for a sparkling exterior.

Step 5: Bake the Cookies

Place cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 9-11 minutes until edges are lightly golden.

Allow cookies to cool and naturally flatten.

Step 6: Create Maple Glaze

• Melted butter
• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Pinch of salt

Adjust consistency by adding tiny amounts of milk if needed.

Step 7: Decorate Cookies

Dunk each cooled cookie into the maple glaze, letting excess drip off. Sprinkle with festive decorations if desired.

Let glaze set completely before serving.

Best Tips for Soft, Chewy Gingerbread Cookies

• Chill the dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create a more compact cookie texture.
• Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising taste or texture.
• Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smoother mixing and more consistent cookie results.
• Store cookies in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to maintain softness and prevent sticking.
• Adjust maple glaze consistency by adding powdered sugar for thicker coating or milk for thinner drizzle, depending on personal preference.

Flavor Twists for Maple Glazed Gingerbread Joy

• Chocolate Chip Ginger Gems: Add 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips to the dough for a rich, sweet crunch. The chocolate complements the warm ginger spice beautifully.
• Nutty Maple Crunch: Fold in 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the cookie dough. Sprinkle additional chopped nuts on top of the maple glaze for extra texture.
• Spiced Orange Infusion: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of orange zest into the dough and replace half the maple syrup with orange juice in the glaze. This adds a bright, citrusy note to the classic gingerbread flavor.
• Caramel Drizzle Version: Replace the maple glaze with a homemade caramel sauce.

Pairings That Make Gingerbread Even Better

• Pair with Rich Espresso: The deep, bold flavors of espresso beautifully complement the warm spices in these soft gingerbread cookies, creating a luxurious taste experience that balances the sweet maple glaze.
• Serve with Spiced Chai Latte: A creamy, aromatic chai latte with its blend of cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger enhances the cookie's warm spice profile, offering a cozy and comforting combination.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A scoop of smooth, cold vanilla bean ice cream provides a delightful contrast to the warm, spicy cookies, creating a delectable dessert that plays with temperature and texture.

How to Keep Gingerbread Cookies Fresh & Soft

• Refrigerate: Store cookies in an airtight container between parchment paper layers for up to 5 days. Keep them in the refrigerator's coolest section to maintain freshness.
• Freeze Unbaked Dough: Scoop cookie dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Frozen dough keeps perfectly for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 1-2 minutes to original baking time.
• Freeze Baked Cookies: Wrap completely cooled cookies individually in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer-safe container. Frozen glazed cookies stay delicious for 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.

Questions About These Cookies? Let’s Tackle Them

• Can I use different spices in these cookies?

Yes! You can add cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to enhance the warm spice flavor. Just replace a portion of the ground ginger with your preferred spices.

• How can I make the cookies softer?

To ensure soft cookies, avoid overbaking. Remove them from the oven when edges are just set but centers look slightly underbaked. They’ll continue to set as they cool.

• Is it okay to replace molasses with another ingredient?

If you don’t have molasses, you can substitute with dark corn syrup or honey. However, molasses gives these cookies their signature deep, rich flavor.

• Can I freeze the cookie dough?

Absolutely! Roll the dough into balls, place on a baking sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer bag.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 31 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Warm holiday spices dance through these delightful gingerbread cookies, inviting comfort and cheer. Maple glaze adds sweet complexity, promising memories of festive gatherings that welcome friends and family with delicious seasonal charm.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients (Cookies):

• 2 1/4 cups (300 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large egg

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1–2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Granulated sugar for rolling

Maple Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups (180 grams) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• Pinch of salt

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F, ensuring a consistent temperature for optimal cookie baking.
2. Using a stand mixer, whip butter and granulated sugar until they transform into a light, airy mixture. Incorporate egg and molasses, blending until the ingredients harmonize seamlessly.
3. In a separate vessel, thoroughly combine flour, baking soda, salt, and ground ginger. Gradually introduce this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a cohesive, soft dough emerges.
4. Craft small spherical portions of dough, slightly smaller than golf balls. Generously coat each ball in sugar, creating a sweet exterior. Arrange on a lined baking sheet and bake for 9-11 minutes. Upon removal, allow cookies to cool and naturally flatten.
5. Craft the maple glaze by whisking melted butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, milk, and salt until achieving a smooth, thick consistency. Adjust liquid slightly if needed to create a perfect dipping texture.
6. Once cookies have completely cooled, immerse one side into the prepared glaze, letting excess drip away. For a festive touch, sprinkle decorative elements before the glaze solidifies.

Notes

• Soften butter at room temperature for smoother creaming and better cookie texture.
• Chill dough for 30 minutes before shaping to prevent spreading and create more defined cookies.
• Use fresh ground ginger for more intense, vibrant flavor compared to pre-ground spices.
• Swap molasses with honey for a lighter, sweeter alternative suitable for those who dislike intense molasses taste.
• Gluten-free option: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free blend and add 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum for better binding.
• Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie version.
• Store cookies in airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days to maintain softness.
• For vegan adaptation, substitute egg with flax egg and use plant-based butter.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 11 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg