These Simple Gingerbread cookies make a great edible Christmas gift. They can be also turned into Christmas ornaments! Honey flavored dough makes them extra delicious.
Guys, these simple gingerbread cookies are one of my family’s favorite Christmas cookies. They are always a crowd’s favorite!
If you like making gifts yourself, here are some more edible Christmas gift ideas that you may like:
- Spiced Cocoa Roasted Almonds
- Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies
- Homemade Gingerbread Syrup
- Homemade Linzer Cookies
- Hot Chocolate Sticks
By the way, these simple gingerbread cookies don’t contain any molasses so they will turn out light brown rather than dark brown. One of the ingredients used in this recipe is honey which gives them a nice flavor. It’s also a traditional way of making them in Slovakia where I come from.
How to make Gingerbread cookies from scratch:
To make the dough all you need to do is combine all the ingredients. You can do this in a large mixing bowl or on a work top.
I personally prefer the second option as it’s quicker. So start with sifting flour, baking soda and sugar. Add the spices and mix everything until well combined.
Now it’s time to add honey and butter. You will need to get your hands dirty at this stage as you need to turn all these ingredients into dough.
The dough will be soft and sticky but that’s ok. Just wrap it into a cling film and refrigerate overnight.
This gingerbread cookie dough can be made well ahead so if you don’t find time to bake these Christmas cookies the following day, don’t worry! This dough keeps can be stored in the fridge for up to 7 days. Just make sure you wrap in in cling film, plastic bag or zip-lock bag.
When you are ready for baking, take the dough out from the fridge and roll it out thin. Cut out any shapes you like. The number of cookies will vary depending on the size and shape of your cutters. To make these simple gingerbread cookies extra shiny, you can brush them with egg wash about 2 minutes before they are done.
And remember, gingerbread cookies bake pretty quick so it’s best to keep an eye on them.
Ingredients needed to make these simple gingerbread cookies:
- All-Purpose Flour (Plain Flour – UK)
- Baking Soda
- Powdered Sugar (Icing Sugar – UK)
- Butter
- Honey
- Gingerbread Spice Mix
Gingerbread spice mix is very easy to make and also makes a great DIY Christmas Present. However, if you don’t want to buy all the spices for your homemade blend, just combine ground cinnamon, cloves and ginger (or cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg) and you are good to go. Your gingerbread cookies will still taste like Christmas.
Decorating gingerbread cookies:
Feel free to decorate these simple gingerbread cookies any way you like. You can use shop-bought royal icing or homemade one. I always make my own. It’s a mixture of powdered sugar, egg white and a squeeze of lemon juice. If you like to make your own as well check out this post: Gingerbread Christmas Candle Holder where you will find the full instructions.
I hope you will enjoy baking and decorating these Christmas cookies as much as we do.
Guys, I wish you all merry Christmas! May the spirit of the Christmas fill your home with peace, joy and love!
Simple Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (260g)
- 3.5 oz Powdered Sugar (100g)
- 2 tsp Gingerbread Spice
- 3 tbsp Honey (60g)
- 1 Egg , small or medium
- ½ stick Unsalted Butter (60g)
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix together sifted flour, sifted sugar and gingerbread spice mix.
- Add the egg, butter and honey. Using your hand combine all the ingredients together until you form sticky dough.
- Place the dough in a plastic bag and refrigerate overnight.
- The following day take the dough out. Roll it thin and cut out any shapes you like.
- Bake at 355°F/180°C for 10 minutes.
Natalie says
Soooo cute and festive!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thanks, Natalie! 🙂
Elizabeth says
I have literally just blogged a very similar, but Slovak, recipe! Great minds! 😀 Such delicious cookies too!
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
🙂 These are also made using Slovak recipe 🙂
Noel Lizotte says
Merry Christmas! These cookies look good enough to eat! I mean, reach right into the screen and eat one! What would Christmas be without cookies everywhere?
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Merry Christmas and thank you!
Hannah says
This sugar icing is perfect! You really outdid yourself! 🙂
Julia | Happy Foods Tube says
Thank you so much, Hannah!
Lisa Huff says
OMG These are gorgeous!! Almost too pretty to eat!