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gingerbread cookies on platter with rainbow sprinkles

Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

These tried and true frosted gingerbread cookies are a delicious treat. The cookies are baked to perfection, perfectly soft and chewy, with a delicious vanilla frosting. 

Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword dessert, frosted cookies, gingerbread cookies, holiday cookies
Cook Time 11 minutes
chill dough 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 11 minutes
Servings 15
Calories 308 kcal

Ingredients

Gingerbread Dough

  • 1/2 C butter*
  • 1/2 C sugar
  • 1/2 C molasses
  • 1/4 C water
  • 2 1/2 C flour
  • 3/4 t salt
  • 1/2 t soda
  • 3/4 t ginger
  • 1/4 t nutmeg
  • 1/8 t allspice

Frosting

  • 1 stick butter softened
  • 2 C powdered sugar
  • milk around 1 T
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 t vanilla
  • food coloring optional

Instructions

  1. Cream together butter and sugar.  Blend in molasses, water, flour, salt, soda, ginger nutmeg and allspice.

  2. Cover and chill for 2 to 3 hours.
  3. Preheat oven to 375 degree.
  4. Roll dough 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured cloth-covered board.  Cut with cookie cutter and place on un-greased baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 8-11 minutes (I like mine soft so I always take them out at 8 minutes).
  6. Immediately remove from baking sheet.

Frosting

  1. To make frosting combine softened butter and powdered sugar until creamy.
  2. Mix in (food coloring, if using), milk, salt, and vanilla. Adjust the amounts of the these ingredients until the frosting reaches your desired consistency and flavor.
  3. Frost cookies once they have cooled.
  4. Add sprinkles if you like**

Recipe Notes

Makes about fifteen 4-inch cookies

*The original recipe calls for shortening, not butter, but I just can't do it.  Many in my family likely insist on using shortening but I swear they taste good with butter too!

**I don't remember my Grandma ever adding sprinkles, and I don't normally either, but I was out of food coloring and my daughter begged me to do something to make them "fancy."

Nutrition Facts
Frosted Gingerbread Cookie Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 308 Calories from Fat 113
% Daily Value*
Fat 12.6g19%
Saturated Fat 7.9g49%
Cholesterol 33mg11%
Sodium 567mg25%
Potassium 193mg6%
Carbohydrates 47.1g16%
Fiber 0.6g3%
Sugar 28.7g32%
Protein 2.3g5%
Calcium 32mg3%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.