Easy Gingerbread Cookies

If there’s one thing that I’ve learned as a parent, it’s that iced cookies go first. And these Easy Gingerbread Cookies, which are low in sugar, and free from eggs and nuts, are our go-to holiday cookie recipe.

Easy Gingerbread Cookies

When thinking about this recipe, I wanted to make it as simple as possible, but also add in that classic gingerbread flavor. And I know how much a short ingredient list can matter when baking with kids—because they aren’t always the most patient!—so the dough is incredibly simple to mix up. You don’t even need a mixer since you can simply use your hands to combine the dough. (My oldest loves to do that step!)

Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipe for Kids

And while they so often just taste sweet to me, my oldest adores eating and making them, so we try make at least one batch during the holidays. With her in mind, and also in an effort to make a treat that my younger toddler can enjoy, I made these Lower Sugar Gingerbread Cookies. They’re just slightly sweet, have a hint of spice perfect for this time of the year, and the simple icing on top gives ample opportunities for the kids to get in on the decorating action.

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You don’t need any electric cooking tools to make these cookies—just a bowl! And since the dough is egg-free, you don’t have to worry if the kids nibble a little. (I mean you don’t want to encourage it since raw flour is also a no-no, but it’s not as big of a deal as raw egg!)

Ingredients in Easy Gingerbread Cookies

To make this healthy cookie recipe, you’ll need:

• white whole wheat flour (or half all-purpose and half whole-wheat)
• baking powder
• cinnamon
• ground ginger
•  allspice
• salt
• maple syrup
• molasses
• milk
• butte
• sprinkles, raisins, chocolate chips as desired

How to Make Easy Gingerbread Cookies Step-by-Step

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this easy gingerbread.

1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and use your hand to mix together to form a dough. Make a flattened disc of dough and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes. 
2. Preheat the oven and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out the dough 
3. Cut out the dough with a cookie cutter and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Bake!
4. Let cool and add icing! 

What do these Gingerbread Cookies taste like?

These cookies are definitely not sugar-cookie-sweet, but they for sure taste like a treat from the hint of maple syrup, molasses, and spices. And they have a crisp, buttery texture that is delicious.

What kind of icing do you use on these cookies?

For the icing, you can either stir together powdered sugar and milk or use softened cream cheese and honey. Add food coloring (like this natural set from McCormick) and decorations as you and your kids like. We’ve done raisins for buttons, sliced almonds for mouths, chocolate chips, and sprinkles!

Healthy Gingerbread Cookies

Each cookie has only about a gram and a half of sugar, but they are plenty of fun so the kids will get a big holiday kick out of making them together.

Can I make these gingerbread cookies gluten-free?

Yes! These are naturally egg-free and nut-free, and you can make them gluten-free by using this gluten-free flour from King Arthur and adding 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed to the dough. (You can try another gf flour, but this is the one I tested them with so I know it works really well!)

Can I make these cookies ahead of time?

You can make the dough the night before or a few hours in advance and store it in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap. It will need to sit at room temperature for about an hour to soften up, or you can remove it from the plastic, put it onto a plate, and microwave for 5-10 seconds. I’m sure someone will call the baking police on me for suggesting that, but I’ve found that sometimes baking with kids requires you to break up the process into smaller steps!

I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe if you try it with your kids, so please comment below!

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Easy Gingerbread Cookies

• Author: Amy Palanjian
• Prep Time: 50 mins
• Cook Time: 9 mins
• Total Time: 59 minutes
• Yield: 2 dozen
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Flavorful, whole-wheat gingerbread with just a hint of natural sweetness.

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Ingredients

• 1 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• sprinkles, raisins, chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and use your hand to mix together to form a dough. Make a flattened disc of dough and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for about 10 minutes. 
2. Preheat the oven to 370°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the dough ¼-inch thick between two pieces of parchment or plastic wrap. (You can do it on a lightly floured surface, but I always find this easier.)
3. Cut out the dough with a cookie cutter and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges. (Keep an eye on them after 8 minutes since the edges can brown fast. 9 minutes was perfect in my oven.)
4. Remove from the oven, let cool on the baking sheet for a minute, and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
5. Use a small butter knife to spread on the icing or pipe on as desired. If adding sprinkles or other decorations, add them to the iced cookies right away before it dries.

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Notes

Royal Icing: Stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar with a few drops of milk, adding more of either as needed to make a thick icing. Spread on cookies or put into a ziptop bag, seal, and snip one edge off to make a little piping bag for the kids.

Cream Cheese Icing: Stir together 4 ounces cream cheese, softened, with 1-2 tablespoons honey until spreadable or pipeable. You can put some into a ziptop bag, seal it and snip one edge off to make a little piping bag for the kids. Add on raisins or chocolate chips as you like!

Make-Ahead: You can make the dough the night before or a few hours in advance and store it in the fridge wrapped in plastic wrap. It will need to sit at room temperature for about an hour to soften up, or you can remove it from the plastic, put it onto a plate, and microwave for 5-10 seconds. (I’m sure someone will call the baking police on me for suggesting that, but I’ve found that sometimes baking with kids requires you to break up the process into smaller steps!

421.7 g13.7 mg2.1 g1.2 g5.6 g0.6 g0.7 g5.1 mg

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Filder Under:Desserts, Holidays