The Best Holiday Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

If we're being honest, one of things we love most about the holiday season is the FOOD. From the mashed potatoes and stuffing on Thanksgiving to the cinnamon rolls and honey baked ham on Christmas day, we're just as excited about all of the holiday eats as we are about all of the presents under the tree. Christmas cookies rank among our favorite seasonal treats, so we're sharing the recipe for a beloved holiday classic: Gingerbread Cookies.

This gingerbread cookie recipe is a cinch to make and it's a fun way to spend time with friends or kiddos in the kitchen. Bake up a batch to take to a holiday party or to nibble on while your wrapping gifts and watching Christmas movies. And don't forget to leave a plate for Santa! 

Holiday Gingerbread Star Cookies 

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cloves

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Cream together butter, sugar, molasses, and honey
3. Beat in egg and vanilla
4. In another bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add to wet ingredients and mix well.
5. Roll dough into a ball, cover with plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour
6. On a floured surface, roll the dough to 1/4 inch thickness
7. Cut using various sizes of star-shaped cookie cutters
8. Place on ungreased baking sheet
9. Bake about 8-10 minutes until golden brown
10. If you wish to make hanging decorations, use a cocktail stick to pierce the cookies while still warm and thread with string when they have completely cooled.
11. If desired, ice with a simple icing of powdered sugar and milk, then drizzle or dip with icing.
    
    

Photos: Heather Nan Photography