Gingerbread Cookies without Molasses

At More Than Meat and Potatoes, desserts aren’t really my specialty. For those, you’d need to visit Berly’s Kitchen. However, we do realize it’s the holidays and seasonal desserts are the norm. For example, we’ve made a cranberry cheesecake, hot chocolate cupcakes, and a gingerbread Bundt cake.

We usually make a small red velvet cake for Valentine’s Day, too. Today, Kim decided to prepare a simple gingerbread cookies recipe made without molasses. This recipe is perfect for people who either cannot eat or don’t care for molasses

It creates a slightly sweetened cookie without an overwhelming flavor. Best of all, the texture remains soft and chewy. This is true even after they’ve been stored for a few days.

How to make gingerbread cookies without molasses:

1. First, remove the unsalted butter from your fridge well in advance (at least 1-hour).
2. Afterward, line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
3. Next, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the following ingredients:
   • all-purpose flour
   • ginger powder
   • ground cinnamon
   • nutmeg
   • ground clove
   • allspice
   • salt

Set the bowl aside and grab your stand mixer and attach the paddle attachment to the appliance.

Alternatively, you can use a second large mixing bowl and a hand mixer.

In that bowl, beat together the brown sugar and softened butter for about 3-minutes.

The butter mixture should be light and fluffy. After that, add the cracked egg and continue mixing until everything is combined.

Now, add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture. Mix on low until a dough forms.

Also, be sure that no clumps of flour are present in the gingerbread dough.

Then, shape the dough into a ball and wrap it plastic wrap. Transfer it to your fridge to chill for at least 1-hour.

Meanwhile, go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Once the dough has chilled remove it from the fridge.

Unwrap it and place it on a lightly floured surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out until it reaches 1/4-1/2 inch thickness.

Cut the cookies (using a cookie cutter or biscuit cutter for circular cookies) and place them on the lined baking sheet.

Repeat the rolling and cutting steps until all the dough has been used. Place the cookies into the oven to bake for 10-12 minutes.

Remove them from the oven and place them on a cooling rack to come to room temperature.

How to make vanilla icing for cookies:

Using a whisk, combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small mixing bowl.

After that, fill a piping bag with icing and use it to decorate the cookies.

That’s it, your gingerbread cookies without molasses are done! Kim and I hope you enjoy them and wish you all the best 🙂

Recipe Tips:

• If you don’t have parchment paper, you can grease your pans with non-stick cooking spray or use silicone mats.
• These cookies are spiced, so keep that in mind. I recommend going light on the spices for your first attempt.
• Don’t make the icing too far in advance; otherwise, it will harden and become unusable.

Why do my gingerbread cookies spread?

Your gingerbread cookies spread while baking because the butter is too warm. The dough needs to be refrigerated for at least 1-hour before rolling, cutting, and baking. For the best results, refrigerate the dough overnight and finish the recipe the following day.

Do you decorate gingerbread cookies before baking?

If you’re referring to the icing, then no, wait until they’ve baked and cooled. In regards to decorative candies (for the eyes, mouth, etc.), then that depends on the candy itself. Some decorations can be baked, while others will not remain intact in high heat situations. Personally, I recommend reading and follow the decorating instructions on the products.

Other Desserts You May Love:

• Cranberry Bars
• Molasses Cookies
• Gingerbread Cheesecake Bars
• Gingerbread Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting
• Cranberry Nut Bread (without Orange Juice)
• Chocolate Filled Pastry
• Oatmeal Cookies
• Bread Pudding with Rum Sauce
• Rice Pudding