SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2024)

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by Katrina Bahl

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GUEST POST:SweetSugarBelle’s Favorite Gingerbread Recipe by Sweet Sugarbelle

Hi, my name is Callye Alvarado, and I might have a cookie problem. Oh who are we kidding? It’s not a problem, it’s a full blown obsession. I love cookie decorating so much that I have an entire blog dedicated to cookies.

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (1)

I bake so many cookies that I’ve become pretty good at resisting the occasional nibble, but that goes away when I break out my gingerbread recipe. It’s so good I think everyone should try it. Even my husband, who’s not a gingerbread fan, admits it is good.

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2)

I prefer to keep my gingerbread decoration simple so that the cookie can shine through. I think they agree!

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (3)

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (4)

Soft and spicy gingerbread cookies

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening
  • ½ c butter
  • 1 c granulated sugar
  • 1 ¼ c unsulphered molasses
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp. flavoring extract such as vanilla or orange
  • 5-5 ½ c all-purpose flour {sometimes even six}
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 3 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼- ½ tsp ground white pepper {optional}

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

  • Cream together shortening butter and granulated sugar. Add the molasses and eggs and whip until light and fluffy.

  • Sift all of your dry ingredients into a large bowl then use a measuring cup to add the dry ingredients about 1 cup at a time.

  • Separate the dough into three equal pieces, then wrap in plastic wrap and chill for an hour or two.

  • Roll out on floured parchment paper to about 1/4 an inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Place the cut out cookies into the freezer for ten minutes or so before baking.

  • Bake at 375° for 6-8 minutes for small cookies, 8-10 minutes for medium, and 10-15 minutes for large. Let cool, then decorate with vanilla royal icing.

Original recipes and images © In Katrina's Kitchen

Did you make this recipe?Tag @katrinaskitchen on Instagram with the hashtag #katrinaskitchenrecipes

Thank you for inviting me to attend your annual cookie exchange, Katrina, I always have a blast! Cannot wait to see the cookies yet to come.

Happy holidays, and even happier baking my cookie friends!

If you don’t know Callye you just need to set aside an hour or more to go and get lost in her blog. Her cookies blow me away each and every time she posts. I especially like that she takes the time to explain her designs in easy-to-follow tutorials. I can’t wait to try her gingerbread recipe- I mean this girl KNOWS her cookies. 🙂

You can connect with Callye on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and her blog The Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle. Here are a few of her cookies to get you started:

Frosty the Snowman Cupcake Cookies

Brown Sugar Roll Out Cookies

Candy Canes with Bows Cookies

Thanks for bringing the cookies, Callye!

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All Recipes, Christmas, Christmas Cookie Tray Favorites, Cookies, Holidays, I'll Bring the COOKIES

posted on December 10, 2012 — updated November 9, 2020 // 17 comments

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    17 Comments on “SweetSugarBelle’s Favorite Gingerbread Recipe”

  1. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (5)

    Kenny DombroskyReply

    As an avid baker, I’m so embarrassed! After mixing all of the ingredients (I thought), I portioned it into 3 balls, wrapped them up, put them in fridge and discovered I forgot to add the vanilla. What am I supposed to do? Throw everything out, and start over?SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (6)

  2. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (7)

    MelissaReply

    Loved this recipe! Never made gingerbread cookies before, super tasty! I cut the shortening in half and increased the butter. It was a rainy humid day, so I only need 5 1/4 cup of flour, and I added a dash of all spice. Will make these every year for Christmas!

    You should now go checkout Katrina’s sugar cookies!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (8)

  3. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (9)

    Vivien CurtisReply

    Love this recipe. Turned out great!Thanks!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (10)

  4. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (11)

    ShannonReply

    Approximately how many dozen cookies does this recipe make?

  5. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (12)

    SheilaReply

    Best gingerbread cookies EVER!!SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (13)

  6. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (14)

    Tia TerrcotReply

    This is kinda confusing…. the flour first of all. 5-51/2 even sometimes 6? Then the extract. The fact that you said “SUCH AS” is just kinda suspicious. Like, are we supposed to use both? Anyway, for the extract I put a tsp of vanilla and 1/2 a tsp of pure lemon extract. it came out really nicely.

  7. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (15)

    AnnaReply

    how about a frosting recipe

  8. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (16)

    TrishReply

    I’m confused about how much flour to use…5 to 5 1/2 and sometimes 6 cups???

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (17)

      Simone

      I do not see where anyone’s questions are answered

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (18)

      Katrina Bahl

      This is not my recipe, so I cannot advise. I will be in touch with the author.

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (19)

      Colette Franklyn

      The 5-51/2 sometimes 6 cups of flour will come into play depending on how your batter comes in when mixed;SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (20)

  9. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (21)

    PatriciaReply

    Would love to bake the gingerbread biscuits. Can the molasses be substituted with golden syrup?
    Would this receipt be suitable to use for a gingerbread house?

  10. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (22)

    Meg FReply

    About how many dozen cookies will this recipie make?

    • SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (23)

      Tia Terrcot

      Thats what i was wondering. With a small sized cookie you can make about 2 dozen. If it is for a big thing than you might want to double it.

  11. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (24)

    linda smartReply

    can u use all butter in this recipe or can we use coconut oil instead of shortening

  12. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (25)

    linda smartReply

    can u use all butter or instead of shortening,,,use coconut oil ?

  13. SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (26)

    BrooklynReply

    These are the best tasting gingerbread cookies we have ever made. I don’t have shortening in our house so we always substitute the shortening with butter but it always turns out well. I’ve been asked for the recipe by other people. Thank you for sharing it!

SweetSugarBelle's Favorite Gingerbread Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What kind of molasses is best for gingerbread? ›

Medium Or Dark Molasses

“It adds enough bold flavor and sweet notes with a hint of bitterness to any recipe, which is exactly what you want for making gingerbread cookies.”

Why shouldn't you use blackstrap molasses in gingerbread? ›

Though it's ideal for savory foods such as barbecue sauces and stews, Bourdon cautioned against choosing blackstrap for cookies. “Please avoid this dark and bitter molasses for your baking recipes,” she said. “It will make your cookies dry and quite frankly inedible. The rationale is basic chemistry.

What makes gingerbread taste like gingerbread? ›

Molasses is the most associated with gingerbread. Light molasses, a mild molasses, comes from the first boiling of the sugar syrup. Dark molasses, a full-flavored molasses, comes from the second boiling of the sugar syrup, and is the most popular molasses used in gingerbread recipes.

What are the three types of gingerbread? ›

The three distinct types of gingerbread are brown gingerbread, wafer-based gingerbread and honey gingerbread.
  • BROWN GINGERBREAD.
  • WAFER GINGERBREAD.
  • HONEY GINGERBREAD.

Is molasses or golden syrup better for gingerbread? ›

Molasses – Essential for that deep, rich, caramel-like gingerbread flavour! It also helps hold the dough's shape. Golden syrup makes a great sub, or treacle. Honey will also work, but the cookies will spread out a touch more and not have the same deep flavour (but still very, very good!).

Can I use blackstrap molasses instead of regular molasses in gingerbread cookies? ›

Every spoonful of blackstrap molasses has a sugar content of 45% and 1% of your daily sodium content. It should never be used in place of molasses unless a recipe specifically calls for it.

Is grandma's unsulphured molasses the same as blackstrap? ›

Unsulphured molasses can be light, dark or blackstrap, as long as it hasn't been treated with sulphur dioxide. Most commercially produced molasses is unsulphured.

Is fancy molasses better than blackstrap for gingerbread? ›

As far as I can find, molasses is about 70% sugar and high in moisture, while blackstrap is 45% sugar, low in moisture, dense, bitter and salty.” Remember to use blackstrap only when a recipe calls for the ingredient, such as with baked beans. But don't sub in the sweetener for light or dark molasses.

Can I use brown sugar instead of molasses in gingerbread? ›

Brown sugar is actually a combination of granulated sugar and molasses, so it's a good substitute for molasses. While measurements may vary per recipe, you can generally replace 1 cup molasses with 3/4 cup packed brown sugar.

What is the best gingerbread in the world? ›

Grasmere Gingerbread Shop | The World's Best Gingerbread. Victorian cook Sarah Nelson invented Grasmere Gingerbread® in 1854 in the English Lake District village from where it gets its name.

Should gingerbread be soft or crunchy? ›

Should gingerbread cookies be hard or soft? Soft gingerbread biscuits are ideal. They ought to be flexible. However, they should still be somewhat elastic, and if you hold them too firmly because you're so excited to eat them, you might even be able to leave your fingerprints on the cookie!

Why is it called gingerbread when there is no ginger? ›

In Medieval England, the term gingerbread simply meant “preserved ginger” and wasn't applied to the desserts we are familiar with until the 15th century. The term is now broadly used to describe any type of sweet treat that combines ginger with honey, treacle or molasses.

What is the German tradition of gingerbread? ›

Lebkuchen, a delectable German gingerbread, has a rich history steeped in tradition, dating back centuries. Originating in the medieval monasteries of Franconia, these spiced treats have evolved over time, becoming an integral part of German holiday festivities.

Which country is famous for gingerbread? ›

Gingerbread, as we know it today, descends from Medieval European culinary traditions. Gingerbread was also shaped into different forms by monks in Franconia, Germany in the 13th century. Lebkuchen bakers are recorded as early as 1296 in Ulm and 1395 in Nuremberg.

What are gingerbread men called now? ›

Some bakeries are now calling gingerbread men by the gender neutral term “gingerbread people.” Do you agree with the change? I couldn't care less if they called them “gingerbread cookies.” Originally Answered: Some Bakeries are now calling Gingerbread men by the gender fluid title Gingerbread people.

Is mild or full flavor molasses for gingerbread? ›

Dark Molasses

It's darker and thicker the light variety, with a deeper, richer flavor that hints at bitterness. It's not quite as sweet, but it's also not as bitter as blackstrap molasses. It's a good option for people looking for a sweetener with reduced sugar content, and it makes an incredible gingerbread.

What type of molasses is best for baking? ›

Light molasses is the liquid that remains after the first white sugar is extracted from cane juice. The flavor is lighter and has more fruity notes to it, in the same way the first pressing of olives makes a lighter, fruitier olive oil. Light (sometimes called "fancy") molasses is ideal for baked goods and candies.

Is grandma's original molasses light or dark? ›

Grandma's Molasses comes in two grades: Original and Robust. Original molasses: amber color, used to sweeten hot cereals, yogurts or hot drinks (like coffee, tea or cocoa).

What can I use instead of dark molasses in gingerbread? ›

Dark Molasses Gingerbread Cake

In place of the 1 ½ cups molasses, you can swap in ½ cup dark brown sugar, mixed with 1 cup honey, sorghum, or golden syrup.

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