Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze Recipe: Festive Sweetness

Baking warms the soul, especially when crafting soft gingerbread cookies with maple glaze that dance with festive spices.

These delightful treats capture the essence of cozy winter afternoons.

Warm molasses and rich spices blend seamlessly in a tender, moist cookie that melts in your mouth.

Each bite whispers stories of comfort and tradition.

The sweet maple glaze adds a luxurious finish that elevates the cookie from simple to spectacular.

Spiced with cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, these cookies bring joy to every gathering.

Prepare to be transported to a world of sweet, spiced perfection with this irresistible recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 23

Full List Of Ingredients For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of the cookie, providing structure and texture with its gluten-forming proteins.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread, creating a soft and tender crumb.
• Ground Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Warming spices that give the cookies their signature gingerbread flavor and aromatic depth.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the cookies.

• Butter: Adds richness, creates a tender crumb, and contributes to the cookies' golden color.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness, help with caramelization, and contribute to the cookies' soft texture.
• Molasses: Gives a deep, complex sweetness and helps maintain moisture in the cookies.
• Egg: Binds ingredients, adds structure, and provides richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavor profile with its warm, sweet essence.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth, glossy coating that sets beautifully on the cookies.
• Maple Syrup: Adds a rich, distinctive sweetness with subtle woody notes.
• Milk: Helps achieve the perfect glaze consistency and adds a creamy touch.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor complexity of the glaze.

What Tools You’ll Need For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Mixing Bowls: Medium and large bowls for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Hand or Stand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, and mixing dough.
• Whisk: For blending dry ingredients and making maple glaze smoothly.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Baking Sheets: Two sheets for baking cookies evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mats: Prevents cookies from sticking and ensures easy removal.
• Wire Cooling Rack: Allows cookies to cool completely without getting soggy.
• Spoon or Piping Bag: For drizzling maple glaze over cooled cookies.

Simple How-To For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Dough Preparation

Mix dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, warming spices in a bowl. In another bowl, blend butter and sugars until fluffy. Add rich molasses, egg, and vanilla, creating a smooth mixture that hints at winter comfort.

• Chilling Time

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture. Wrap dough in plastic and let it rest in the refrigerator. This pause allows flavors to mingle and dough to become perfectly manageable.

• Oven Warmup

Heat oven to a toasty 350F. Prepare baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a welcoming surface for cookie magic.

• Cookie Shaping

Roll small dough balls and place them on sheets. Give each cookie space to spread its delicious wings. Bake until edges look golden and centers remain soft – about 8-10 minutes. Let cookies rest briefly before transferring to cooling rack.

• Maple Magic

Whisk powdered sugar with maple syrup, creating a silky glaze that will transform ordinary cookies into extraordinary treats. Adjust consistency by adding milk or sugar until perfect.

• Final Touch

Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies, letting it cascade in delicate streams. Allow glaze to set, creating a sweet finish that invites immediate enjoyment.

Helpful Tips For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Cookie Perfection Secrets
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cookie dough up to 3 days in advance and store in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making baking day a breeze.
• Spice Intensity Adjustment: Increase or decrease ground spices according to personal preference, keeping the total spice measurement consistent for balanced flavor.
• Softness Control: Remove cookies from the oven when edges are set but centers still look slightly underbaked to ensure that signature soft, chewy texture every time.
• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these cookies accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste or texture.
• Winter Warmth Variation: Add a sprinkle of finely chopped crystallized ginger on top of the maple glaze for an extra zingy, warming flavor that screams cozy holiday comfort.

Serving Suggestions For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Holiday Cookie Platter: Arrange these soft gingerbread cookies alongside other festive treats like sugar cookies and peppermint bark for a stunning seasonal dessert display.
• Warm Beverage Pairing: Serve these cookies with hot apple cider, rich hot chocolate, or spiced chai tea to enhance the warm, cozy winter flavors.
• Gifting Delight: Package these cookies in clear cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons for a homemade gift that spreads sweet holiday cheer to friends and family.
• Dessert Styling: Dust the glazed cookies with a light sprinkle of cinnamon or crushed nuts for added texture and visual appeal, making them even more irresistible.

How To Store Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 5-7 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

• Freezing Friendly: Stack unglazed cookies between wax paper in a freezer-safe container, lasting up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add glaze before serving.
• Dough Prep Hack: Refrigerated cookie dough stays fresh for 24 hours. For longer storage, shape dough balls and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a sealed bag for future baking.
• Glaze Freshness Tip: Prepare maple glaze just before serving for maximum flavor and smoothest consistency. Store separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, stirring before use.

Magical Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

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4.9 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 23 1x

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Description

Delightful gingerbread cookies from Vermont blend warm spices and sweet maple glaze into winter’s perfect treat. Comforting flavors and festive charm invite seasonal celebrations with friends and family.

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Ingredients

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• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup (80 ml) molasses
• 2 tsps ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps pure maple syrup
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) milk
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Blend Dry Components: Sift flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt into a medium bowl, creating a harmonious spice blend.
2. Cream Butter and Sugars: Whip butter, granulated and brown sugars in a spacious mixing bowl until light and fluffy, developing a smooth, aerated base.
3. Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Mix molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, ensuring complete and even integration of liquid elements.
4. Form Dough: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to create a cohesive cookie dough without overworking.
5. Chill Dough: Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for at least one hour, allowing flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
6. Prepare Baking Environment: Preheat oven to 350F and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
7. Shape and Bake: Roll chilled dough into tablespoon-sized spheres, spacing them evenly on prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes until edges firm and centers remain slightly soft.
8. Cool and Rest: Transfer cookies to the baking sheet for five minutes, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. Create Maple Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a smooth, drizzle-friendly consistency.
10. Finish and Decorate: Drizzle cooled cookies with maple glaze using a spoon or piping technique, allowing glaze to set before serving.

Notes

• Chill Dough Properly: Refrigerate for at least one hour to enhance flavor development and prevent excessive spreading during baking, ensuring a more structured and compact cookie.
• Measure Ingredients Precisely: Use exact measurements, especially for spices, to maintain the perfect balance of warm, aromatic gingerbread flavor without overwhelming the palate.
• Handle Dough Gently: Avoid overmixing when combining wet and dry ingredients to prevent tough cookies, stopping just when ingredients are incorporated for a tender, soft texture.
• Control Baking Time Carefully: Watch cookies closely during the 8-10 minute baking window, removing them when edges are firm but centers remain slightly soft to guarantee a perfectly chewy consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 23
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg