Frosted Gingerbread Cookies – Soft and cake like cookie that is spiced to taste like molasses, with a tangy cream cheese swirls of frosting.
This cookies has a soft gingerbread cookie base and a fluffy cream cheese frosting! When creating this Frosted Gingerbread Cookies, I was attempting to make a cookie like loft house soft sugar cookie! This would be perfect for the holiday season or a friend cookie exchanges!
For more gingerbread recipes
- The Very Best Gingerbread Coffee Cake Cookies
- Festive Gingerbread Crinkle Cookies
- Oreo Gingerbread Cake
Why I love these Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
There is so much to love about this recipe, it might be the buttercream frosting, or it has the right amount of ginger, or maybe the ground cinnamon hits home for me! Regardless, here are some more reasons to love this recipe as much as I do!
Soft gingerbread cookie: Like the loft house cookie, this is soft and cake, instead of your typical chewy cookies.
Holiday spirit – This cookie will totally get you into the holiday spirit. Bonus, this cookie would be perfect to leave out for Santa!
Ultimate Christmas cookies – This cookie is going to be a fighting (and most likely winning) for my cookie exchange that I am doing!
Ingredients needed to make Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Additionally, I have provided some key ingredients for these Frosted Gingerbread Cookies that you might not have on hand. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below!
All purpose flour – this needs to be spooned and leveled
Large eggs – make sure they are at room temperature!
Brown sugar – I used dark brown, but you can totally use light brown sugar I that is what you have on hand!
Ground cinnamon – I recommend getting ground cinnamon, I get mine in the baking aisle.
Molasses – Here is the molasses that I use!
Spices – This recipes has cloves, cinnamon and right amount of ginger!
Tips and tricks for making this recipe
- Prep: Have your prepared cookie sheet ready by lining it with parchment paper. Set it aside
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure that your butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature before starting.
- Creaming Method: Creaming the butter and sugar is a crucial step. Creaming incorporates air into the mixture, making the cookies light and fluffy. Cream for the full 3 minutes.
- Gradual Mixing: When adding the dry ingredients, mix on the lowest speed to avoid overmixing the into the wet ingredients, which can result in a tougher cookie. Mix just until the flour is incorporated.
- Cookie Scoop : Using a cookie scoop ensures that your cookies are of the same size, promoting even baking.
- Flattening the Cookies: Gently flattening the cookies before baking helps them spread evenly during baking. Using a flat-bottomed cup or your hand.
- Cooling Time: Allowing the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes is essential for them to set. This prevents them from breaking when transferring to the cooling wire rack.
How to make the cream cheese frosting
- In a medium-sized bowl, using a hand electric mixer, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese. This typically takes about two minutes on medium speed.
- Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure that all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter and cream cheese mixture. This step helps avoid a powdery mess.
- Once the powdered sugar is mostly incorporated, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Continue to mix on low speed until all the ingredients are well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again to make sure everything is evenly mixed.
- Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat the mixture for an additional 2-3 minutes. This helps achieve a light and fluffy texture for the frosting.
What I tools I used
Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment: Used for creaming the butter and sugar, as well as mixing the cookie dough.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Used for accurate measurement of ingredients.
Cookie Scoop: Used for portioning out uniform-sized cookie dough balls.
Baking Sheet: Used for baking the cookies. It was likely lined with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
Flat-Bottomed Cup or Hand: Used for gently flattening the cookie dough before baking.
Wire Rack: Used for cooling the cookies after they come out of the oven.
Hand Electric Mixer: Used for making the cream cheese frosting.
Medium Sized Bowl: Used for combining and creaming the butter and cream cheese for the frosting.
Plastic Bag or Piping Bag: Used for piping the cream cheese frosting onto the cooled cookies.
Sprinkles: Used for decorating the frosted cookies.
Frequently asked questions
What can I substitute for molasses if I don’t have any?
You can use dark corn syrup or a combination of honey and maple syrup as a molasses substitute.
Why did my cookies spread too much during baking?
Overmixing the dough or using butter that is too soft can lead to excessive spreading. Ensure your butter is at the right temperature, and mix the dough just until combined.
Can I omit the cornstarch in the recipe?
The cornstarch contributes to the soft and tender texture of the cookies. While you can omit it, the texture may be slightly different.
How do I prevent the cream cheese frosting from becoming too runny?
Gradually add powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency. If the frosting is too thin, you can add more powdered sugar to thicken it.
Storing and Freezing
Store the soft frosted gingerbread cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you want to extend their freshness, you can freeze the cookies (unfrosted) and thaw them as needed.
Freezing – Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
To freeze soft frosted gingerbread cookies, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the cookies to an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper, and store in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.
For more cookie recipe for this Christmas Cookie Season, I have listed them below!
Remember LEAVE A 5 STAR EVIEW AND A COMMENT if you love the recipe or any questions. Follow me on social media Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok. I post so many fun things on all platforms!
Recipe
Frosted Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
For the cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- ½ cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon molasses
- 1 & ⅔ cup all purpose flour spoon and leveled
- 2 teaspoon corn starch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the cream cheese frosting
- Cream cheese frosting
- 3 ounces cream cheese softened
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cup powder sugar
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a stand size mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar on medium speed together until light and fluffy. About 3 minutes
- Add in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses, and mix on low until smooth.
- On the lowest speed, add all of the all purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt.
- Using a 3 tablespoon size cookie scoop, scoop out cookie dough balls, place them on the baking sheet and gently flatten the cookies to about 1 inch in thickness. I used a flat bottom cup, but you can use the palm of your hand. Place them about 3 inches apart.
- Bake in the oven for 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to cool fully. Once the cookies are out of the oven cooling, make the cream cheese frosting.
For the cream cheese frosting
- In the bowl medium size bowl using a hand electric mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese. Cream on medium speed for about two minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Beat again for 2 more minutes.
- With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, followed by the vanilla, and salt. Beat on low just until mixed. Then turn the mixer to medium high speed and beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes.
- Once the cookies are completely cooled, and no longer warm, frost the cookies.
- With a plastic bag or a piping bag, cut a medium size hole and frost the top of the cookie and decorate with extra sprinkles.
Cristy Bushatz says
I really love new recipes and I love to bake new recipes