Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze

 Here’s a recipe for Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze—spiced and chewy cookies topped with a delicious maple glaze for a perfect holiday treat!

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Ingredients:

For the Gingerbread Cookies:

3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)

1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)

1 large egg

1/2 cup molasses

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Maple Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1-2 tablespoons milk (dairy or non-dairy)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.

Add the egg and molasses, and mix until well combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.

2. Combine the Dry Ingredients:

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together.

3. Chill the Dough:

Divide the dough into two portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to overnight). This helps the cookies hold their shape while baking.

4. Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

5. Roll and Cut the Dough:

Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your desired shapes (gingerbread men, stars, etc.).

Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart.

6. Bake:

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges are set and slightly golden. Keep an eye on them to avoid overbaking, as they will continue to firm up as they cool.

7. Cool the Cookies:

Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. Make the Maple Glaze:

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk until smooth and pourable. Adjust the amount of milk if you prefer a thinner or thicker glaze.

9. Glaze the Cookies:

Drizzle or dip the cooled cookies in the maple glaze. Let the glaze set for about 15-20 minutes before serving.

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These Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze are aromatic, flavorful, and the maple glaze adds the perfect

 finishing touch! Enjoy with a warm beverage during the holiday season or anytime you crave a comforting treat.