Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks softened unsalted butter
- ¾ packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cup molasses
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. ground ginger
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- Zest of one orange
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix butter, brown sugar, and molasses until light and fluffy with air incorporated.
- Separately combine dry ingredients and whisk together thoroughly.
- Slowing add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon. Mix until dry ingredients are completely absorbed, and the dough just comes together.
- Turn out dough on a lightly floured surface, divide and shape into two disks. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill for 2 – 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Allow dough to thaw for about 10 minutes, then roll out dough on a lightly floured surface into 1/4” thick sheet. Use cookie cutters for classic gingerbread shapes.
- Transfer cookie dough shapes onto baking sheets and space about 1″ apart.
- Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, and just lightly browned.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then dust with powdered sugar.
- Place on an extra special place next to the fireplace with a cup of milk for Santa Claus!
