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    Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Without Molasses

    by Brendan Cunningham 2 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    These gingerbread cookies without molasses are a delectable holiday treat that tastes just like a traditional gingerbread cookie. Your taste buds will be pleased with the warm spices and sweet honey flavors that are in the gingerbread men. And, even better yet, these delicious gingerbread cookies take well under 30 minutes from start to finish to bake.

    A close-up of homemade gingerbread cookies cut into gingerbread man and decorated. They are laying on a wire cooling rack.

    Table of Contents

    • The Best Gingerbread Cookies
      • Ingredients
      • How to Make Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses
        • Step 1: Mix the Wet ingredients
        • Step 2: Make The Gingerbread Dough 
        • Step 3: Roll The Gingerbread Cookie Dough
        • Step 4: Cut Out The Gingerbread cookies
        • Step 5: Make The Icing 
      • How to Store Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses
        • How to Freeze Gingerbread Cookies
      • Wrapping It All Up
    • More Dessert Recipes
    • Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Without Molasses
      • Ingredients
      • Instructions
      • Nutrition
      • Did you make this recipe?

    The Best Gingerbread Cookies

    There's nothing better than making - and eating - some traditional gingerbread cookies around the holidays. The hard part though is finding an easy gingerbread recipe to make - atleast I think it is anyway. 

    So, that's where this recipe comes in!

    These gingerbread cookies have the perfect blend of caramelly brown sugar, sweet honey, and a warm balance of spices that instantly brings holiday cheer.

    They're literally the perfect Christmas cookie recipe to make and then bring to wherever the party is! In my family, we always make this recipe and then have a gingerbread cookie decorating contest. It's one of my favorite traditions, and everyone loves how delicious the cookies taste.

    By the way, my family also has a few more staple holiday dessert recipes we make every year. A few of my favorites are these chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, this 2 ingredient peanut butter fudge recipe, and this fudge pie. 

    Everyone single one is sure to make your holiday that much better!

    Anyway, now let's dive into the ingredients you'll need to make this no molasses gingerbread cookie recipe.

    A stack of homemade gingerbread cookies proped up by a glass of milk on a countertop.

    Ingredients

    So, as I said, these delicious cookies use super simple ingredients. And if you're already doing some baking for the Holidays, I bet you already have most of them in your kitchen!

    So, here's what you'll need to make these gingerbread cookies:

    • ⅓ cup Light Brown Sugar or Dark Brown Sugar
    • 2 tbsp. Unsalted Butter
    • 1 Egg
    • ½ cup Honey
    • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
    • ¼ cup Cocoa Powder
    • 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
    • 1 tsp. Ground Ginger
    • ½ tsp. Ground All-Spice
    • 2 tbsp. Baking Powder
    • ½ tsp. Salt

    And for the icing for decorating:

    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • About 2 tsps. Milk (more as needed)
    • ⅛ tsp. Vanilla extract
    • ¼ tsp. food coloring (optional)

    See? Way simpler than the majority of other recipes for ginger cookies, but they still have that delicious deep molasses flavor.

    By the way, if you love things with a gingerbread flavor, you have to try this gingerbread latte! It's so easy to make and only takes about 5 minutes.

    Now, just so you know, this recipe will make about 16 regular-sized gingerbread cookies without molasses. But the number of cookies you get will depend on the gingerbread cookie cutter that you use.

    Honestly, any cookie cutter will work. I actually like to use a few different ones to make the decorating process more exciting. You could even use reindeer, Christmas trees, Santa, or other holiday shapes with the gingerbread cookie dough and the cookies will turn out great too.

    As for decorating, a piping bag will give the cleanest results. But you can also use a cookie brush, or my favorite, just a toothpick! Oh, and feel free to add any food coloring that you want to the icing to elevate the design of your ginger cookies.

    Anyway, now that we have all of that settled let's dive into how to make gingerbread cookies with no molasses!

    An overhead view of all of the ingredients to make homemade gingerbread cookies without molasses.

    How to Make Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses

    This recipe will only take about 30 minutes to make and half of its baking time. In other words, making gingerbread cookies has never been easier.

    So, you can make these along with any other cookie recipes for the holidays as well, like my no bake Christmas cookies!

    Anyway, let's not waste any more time and jump into the recipe!

    Step 1: Mix the Wet ingredients

    Before you get into the recipe, preheat the oven to 350ºF (180°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper, so they're both ready to go later on.

    Now, take out a large bowl, and add the butter and brown sugar (or dark brown sugar) to it.

    Then, with a hand - or stand mixer - cream the two ingredients together until they're soft and light in color. 

    Next, add the egg and honey to the creamy brown sugar butter mixture and mix everything together with a wooden spoon - or rubber spatula - until just combined.

    An overhead view of a mixing bowl containing the dry ingredients for gingerbread cookies.

    Step 2: Make The Gingerbread Dough 

    Now, add the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, ginger, all-spice, baking powder, and salt to the bowl of wet ingredients.

    Then, mix everything together with the spoon - or spatula - until they fully combine and a gingerbread cookie dough forms. 

    An overhead view of a mixing bowl with homemade gingerbread cookie dough in it. A spoon sets in it and multiple cookie cutters sit around the bowl.

    Step 3: Roll The Gingerbread Cookie Dough

    So, now that you have the gingerbread cookie dough formed, you're going to transfer it to a sheet of parchment paper or a lightly floured surface. Then, top it with another sheet of parchment paper and use a rolling pin to roll the dough out until it's about ½ inch thick.

    Oh, and if the dough is too sticky, you can lightly flour the surface of the parchment paper to make it easier to work with.

    An overhead view of gingerbread cookie dough on parchment paper. It has been flattened out by a rolling pin.

    Step 4: Cut Out The Gingerbread cookies

    Now it's time to cut out the gingerbread men or women!

    To do this, use the cookie cutter of your choice and cut the cookies out. And you'll want to cut out as many shapes as you can from the dough. Then, after you've done that, roll the extra dough back into a ball, flatten it between parchment, and then cut out some more shapes until you don't have any dough left.

    Now, after you cut out the cookies, you'll want to transfer them to the prepared baking sheet/s. Then, bake the gingerbread cookies for about 10-12 minutes.

    Once they're baked to perfection, let them cool on the baking sheet and then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

    An overhead view of flattened gingerbread cookie dough on a parchment paper sheet. The dough has been cut with a ginger bread man cookie cutter shape.

    Step 5: Make The Icing 

    While the gingerbread cookies cool, you can make the icing to decorate gingerbread cookies.

    To make the icing, add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring, if you're using any, to a medium bowl.

    Then, mix everything until the ingredients combine and form an icing.

    By the way, if the icing is too thick, add some more milk. And if it's too thin, add some more powdered sugar.

    Anyway, once the baked cookies have cooled, have fun decorating them however you want and enjoy!

    An overhead view of baked homemade gingerbread cookies on a parchment lined tray.

    How to Store Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses

    As you know, this recipe for molasses free gingerbread cookies will make about 16 cookies. So there will be plenty for everyone to decorate and eat. But if you need more, just double or triple the recipe!

    Now, what I love about this gingerbread cookie recipe is that the cookies store really well. So you can make it in advance before the holiday season gets too hectic.

    Undecorated gingerbread cookies will last in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2 weeks. Then, whenever you're ready to eat the cookies, just whip up the icing, decorate, and enjoy!

    How to Freeze Gingerbread Cookies

    If you want to make this recipe even further in advance, you totally can! The cookies actually keep really well in the freezer.

    To freeze, let the gingerbreads cool completely, and then transfer them to a baking sheet and freeze until solid. 

    Finally, when the cookies have cooled, transfer them to an airtight container and store sealed for about 3 months.

    Then, whenever you're ready for these delicious little cookies, just take them out of the freezer, let them thaw at room temperature, decorate, and enjoy!

    An overhead view of decorated gingerbread men on a wire rack. A small bowl of homemade icing with a spoon in it set aside.

    Wrapping It All Up

    Well, that's how to make gingerbread cookies without molasses! The cookies soft and chewy inside and crisp outside, along with the most delicious flavors, make them irresistible. 

    And not only are these gingerbreads delicious, but the recipe is so easy to make with common ingredients.

    Honestly, if you try 'em I have a feeling that you'll be making these gingerbread cookies every single holiday season.

    As always, if you made these gingerbread cookies without molasses, let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below!

    And for more recipes, check out our Instagram, Youtube, and Tiktok. We post new recipes on them daily.

    A pile of homemade gingerbread cookies fanned out on a countertop. A glass of milk sits behind them.

    More Dessert Recipes

    If you want to give some more holiday dessert recipes a shot we have a bunch on the blog that you'll love!

    Give some of these a try:

    • Christmas crack
    • Fantasy fudge
    • Christmas cookie fudge
    • Peppermint brownies
    • Cut out sugar cookie recipe
    • Small batch sugar cookies
    Print

    Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Without Molasses

    An overhead view of decorated gingerbread men on a wire rack. A small bowl of homemade icing with a spoon in it set aside.
    Print Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    These gingerbread cookies without molasses are a delectable holiday treat that tastes just like a traditional gingerbread cookie. Your taste buds will be pleased with the warm spices and sweet honey flavors that are in the gingerbread men. And, even better yet, these delicious gingerbread cookies take well under 30 minutes from start to finish to bake.

    • Author: Brendan Cunningham
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 12 minutes
    • Total Time: 27 minutes
    • Yield: 16 gingerbread cookies 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Cookies

    Ingredients

    Scale

    ⅓ Cup Brown Sugar

    2 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter

    1 Egg

    ½ Cup Honey

    2 Cups All-Purpose Flour

    ¼ Cup Cocoa Powder

    1 Tsp. Ground Cinnamon

    1 Tsp. Ground Ginger

    ½ Tsp. Ground Allspice

    2 Tbsp. Baking Powder

    ½ Tsp. Salt

    For the icing:

    ½ Cup Powdered Sugar

    About 2 Tsps. Milk (more as needed)

    ⅛ Tsp. Vanilla Extract

    ¼ Tsp. Food Coloring (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180ºC).
    2. Cream the butter with the brown sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft and light in color.
    3. Add the egg and honey to the bowl and continue mixing until soft.
    4. Add all dry ingredients and mix with a spoon or rubber spatula until well incorporated and a dough forms.
    5. Transfer the ball of dough to a sheet of parchment paper, top with another sheet of parchment paper, and roll it until it's about ½ inch thick.
    6. Cut out about 16 cookies with the cookie cutter of your choice.
    7. Bake for about 10-12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the tray and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
    8. While the cookies cool, mix all of the icing ingredients in a bowl to combine. If the icing is too thick, add more milk. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.
    9. Decorate the gingerbread cookies with the icing, and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 gingerbread cookie
    • Calories: 124
    • Fat: 2
    • Carbohydrates: 25
    • Protein: 2

    Keywords: gingerbread cookies without molasses, gingerbread cookie recipe without molasses, soft gingerbread cookie recipe without molasses, easy gingerbread cookies, easy gingerbread cookies recipe, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread cookies recipe, how to make gingerbread cookies, how to make gingerbread cookies without molasses, gingerbread cookies with icing, gingerbread cookies recipe soft, gingerbread cookies recipe easy

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dani

      August 21, 2022 at 4:33 pm

      Made these for Christmas in July when you posted the recipe in your IG stories and everyone loved em.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Sammy

      August 24, 2022 at 8:31 am

      Turned out terrific and I am excited to make them in the winter!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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