Cozy Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze Recipe

My kitchen always feels magical when soft gingerbread cookies with maple glaze appear on the cooling rack.

Warm spices dance through the air, signaling something delightful is about to happen.

Winter afternoons call for these incredibly comforting treats that remind you of cozy memories.

Fragrant cinnamon and rich molasses create an irresistible aroma that draws everyone near.

Delicate and tender, these cookies promise a sweet escape from everyday stress.

Baking these little wonders connects generations through shared culinary traditions.

You’ll want to savor each delectable bite and maybe share a few with loved ones.

Steps To Make Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Baking soda
• Ground ginger
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Nutmeg
• Salt

Set this magical mixture aside for now.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

• Butter
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar

Whip these ingredients until they become light and fluffy like a cloud, which takes about 2 minutes.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

• Molasses
• Egg
• Vanilla extract

Mix until everything is perfectly combined and looking smooth.

Step 4: Combine Mixtures

Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Blend gently until just combined. Don’t go crazy with mixing – keep it gentle!

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Cover the dough with plastic wrap and pop it in the refrigerator. Let it rest and get cozy for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours if you’re planning ahead).

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Warm up the oven to 350F (175C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.

Step 7: Shape Cookies

Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough. Roll them into cute little balls and place them on the baking sheets. Leave about 2 inches between each cookie.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the trays into the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are set but centers that still look slightly soft. Don’t overbake – we want these cookies tender!

Step 9: Cool Down

Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 10: Whip Up Maple Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Maple syrup
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Adjust the thickness by adding more milk or powdered sugar as needed.

Step 11: Decorate Cookies

Drizzle the maple glaze over the cooled cookies. Use a spoon or get fancy with a piping bag. Let the glaze set before serving.

Enjoy your delightful gingerbread cookies that are sure to make everyone smile!

Helpful Ideas For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Chill Dough for Maximum Flavor: Refrigerate the cookie dough for at least an hour to intensify the spice blend and prevent spreading during baking.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch cookies closely and remove from oven when edges are set but centers remain slightly soft to maintain that tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Customize Glaze Consistency: Adjust maple glaze by adding more milk for a thinner drizzle or more powdered sugar for a thicker, more dramatic coating.
• Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Adapt for Dietary Needs: Swap butter with vegan alternative and use egg substitute to create a delicious plant-based version of these classic gingerbread cookies.

How To Keep Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze Fresh

• Refrigerate: Store cooled gingerbread cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and soft texture.
• Freeze: Wrap individual cookies tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
• Room Temperature: Keep glazed cookies in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place a piece of bread in the container to help retain moisture and prevent cookies from drying out.
• Reheat: Warm cookies briefly in the microwave for 5-10 seconds or place them in a preheated oven at 300F for 2-3 minutes to restore their soft, warm texture.

Perfect Matches For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Pair with Warm Spiced Chai: Brew a rich, aromatic chai tea that mirrors the gingerbread's warm spices. The creamy, cardamom-infused drink perfectly complements the cookie's soft texture and sweet maple glaze.
• Match with Creamy Vanilla Latte: Serve alongside a smooth vanilla latte, where the coffee's richness balances the cookie's sweet and spicy profile. The warm milk softens the gingerbread's bold flavors, creating a delightful contrast.
• Combine with Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Indulge in a decadent hot chocolate topped with salted caramel, enhancing the cookie's molasses undertones. The drink's velvety warmth and subtle salt bring out the gingerbread's complex spice notes.
• Enjoy with Cinnamon Apple Cider: Pour a mug of warm, spiced apple cider that echoes the cookie's autumnal essence. The drink's fruity warmth and cinnamon undertones create a harmonious flavor experience that feels like a cozy embrace.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze Variations To Explore

• Spiced Pumpkin Ginger Cookies: Replace half the butter with pumpkin puree, add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients, and use brown butter for deeper flavor.
• Chocolate-Dipped Ginger Treats: After glazing, dip half of each cookie in melted dark chocolate and sprinkle with crushed pecans or sea salt.
• Citrus-Infused Ginger Cookies: Add orange zest to the dough, swap maple glaze for a lemon-orange glaze by using citrus juice instead of milk, and garnish with candied orange peel.
• Nutty Ginger Cookie Sandwiches: Sandwich two cookies with cream cheese frosting, roll edges in chopped toasted walnuts, and drizzle with a light maple glaze.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze FAQs

• Why do I need to refrigerate the gingerbread cookie dough?

Chilling the dough helps prevent spreading during baking and allows the flavors to develop more deeply. It also makes the dough easier to handle and creates a more tender cookie texture.

• Can I substitute the spices if I don't have all of them?

While traditional gingerbread uses a specific spice blend, you can adjust the spices to what you have on hand. Just try to keep a balance of warm spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg to maintain the classic gingerbread flavor profile.

• How can I tell if the cookies are done baking?

Look for set edges and slightly soft centers. The cookies will continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid overbaking. They should look slightly underdone when you first take them out of the oven to ensure a soft, chewy texture.

• What makes these gingerbread cookies different from others?

These cookies are specifically designed to be soft and tender, with a rich molasses flavor and a sweet maple glaze that adds an extra layer of deliciousness to the traditional gingerbread cookie.

Why Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze Feel Like A Hug

• Savor Cozy Winter Warmth: These gingerbread cookies capture the essence of cold-weather comfort with their rich, warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg that instantly transport you to a snug kitchen.
• Create Effortless Baking Magic: The recipe offers simple steps and forgiving techniques, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced home cooks looking for a stress-free dessert experience.
• Enjoy Versatile Treat Potential: Soft and perfectly glazed, these cookies work wonderfully as holiday gifts, afternoon snack companions, or elegant dessert additions that appeal to both kids and adults with their irresistible maple-spiced flavor profile.
• Embrace Make-Ahead Convenience: The dough can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated, allowing busy home bakers to plan ahead and enjoy fresh, delicious cookies without last-minute stress.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze

• Flour: Base for the cookie structure, all-purpose works best.
• Baking Soda: Helps cookies rise and spread evenly.
• Ginger, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices for gingerbread flavor.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances sweetness.

• Butter: Provides richness and helps create soft texture, use unsalted.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that contribute to cookie's softness.
• Molasses: Signature gingerbread flavor and deep color.
• Egg: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor profile.

• Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet glaze base.
• Maple Syrup: Provides authentic maple flavor.
• Milk: Adjusts glaze consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth to glaze.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies With Maple Glaze Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Irresistible Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze bring warmth and nostalgia straight from grandma’s kitchen. Spicy molasses and sweet maple create a delightful dance of flavors you’ll crave all winter long.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g) packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup (80 ml) molasses

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Binding and Flavoring Agents:

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) milk
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Craft the foundational mixture by sifting together aromatic dry components: flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt into a medium bowl, setting it aside for later incorporation.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip butter, granulated and brown sugars until achieving a light, voluminous texture using an electric mixer, approximately two minutes of vigorous blending.
3. Integrate molasses, egg, and vanilla extract into the creamed sugar mixture, ensuring thorough and uniform integration of these liquid elements.
4. Gently fold the previously prepared dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined while avoiding excessive manipulation of the dough.
5. Encase the developing dough with plastic wrap and allow it to rest and firm within the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, permitting flavors to meld and texture to stabilize.
6. Warm the culinary workspace by preheating the oven to 350F, simultaneously preparing baking surfaces with parchment paper or silicone mats.
7. Delicately form the chilled dough into compact spheres, approximately tablespoon-sized, positioning them strategically across the prepared baking landscape with sufficient spacing.
8. Nestle the cookie orbs into the heated environment, baking for 8-10 minutes until edges demonstrate firmness while centers retain a subtle softness.
9. Allow initial cooling directly on the baking sheet for five minutes before transitioning the delicate rounds to a wire cooling platform.
10. Construct the maple glaze by whisking powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, pourable consistency.
11. Embellish the completely cooled cookies by drizzling the lustrous maple glaze, either using a spoon or precision piping technique.
12. Permit the glaze to set and solidify before presenting these aromatic, tender confections.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to prevent spreading and enhance the cookie’s soft texture, ensuring a more concentrated flavor profile.
• Opt for fresh, high-quality spices to maximize the warm, rich gingerbread taste that makes these cookies irresistible.
• Experiment with gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version without compromising the cookie’s delicate softness.
• Swap maple syrup with alternative sweeteners like honey or agave for different flavor variations and dietary needs.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 9 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 21 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg