The Best Gingerbread Cookies

Recipe by The Honey Blonde

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup lightly packed browned sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup molasses
• 2½ tsp ginger
• 1¼ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 4⅔ cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Method

1. In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. About 30 seconds to a minute. Mix in the egg until completely combined then mix in vinegar, molasses, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until the mixture is completely smooth.
   
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add the flour to the butter mixture. Mix until the flour is completely incorporated and the dough is tacky, but not overly sticky.
   
   Form dough into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap. Flatten into a disc and place in the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour. When ready to roll out and bake, preheat oven to 350 for a conventional oven or 325 for a convection oven.
   
   Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut out into a desired shape.
   
   Place on baking sheet about 1 inch apart. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the top of the cookies no longer shine and the edges have darkened slightly.
   
   Let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Wait until completely cooled before decorating with icing.

View the recipe instructions at The Honey Blonde