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Cozy Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

soft gingerbread cookies with cream cheese frosting - featured image
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These soft gingerbread cookies are tender, richly spiced, and topped with a tangy cream cheese frosting. They’re the perfect last-minute holiday treat that tastes like a hug.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Beat in molasses and room-temperature egg until well combined (mixture may look curdled).
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing on low speed just until flour disappears. Dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
  6. Optional: Chill dough for 30 minutes for easier handling and less spreading.
  7. Scoop rounded balls of dough (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and place 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets.
  8. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are set and centers look slightly soft and puffed.
  9. Let cookies cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  10. For frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually beat in sifted powdered sugar and vanilla. Add milk 1 tablespoon at a time until spreadable.
  11. Once cookies are completely cool, spread frosting on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 minutes for cleaner look.

Notes

For softer cookies, bake for 10 minutes. For firmer cookies, bake for 12 minutes. Do not frost warm cookies. Dough can be chilled up to 3 days. Unfrosted cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft gingerbread cookies, cream cheese frosting, holiday cookies, Christmas cookies, gingerbread

Find it online: https://lolaspoon.com/cozy-soft-gingerbread-cookies-with-cream-cheese-frosting/