Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Featured in Sweet Treats for Any Day.

Combine molasses, butter, and spices to make these sweet holiday treats. Let the dough chill before baking for soft, chewy cookies every time.

Una donna con un cappello a coda di cavallo e un vestito nero.
Updated on Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:52:59 GMT
Close-up of gingerbread men cookies with white icing and powdered sugar dusting. Pin it
Close-up of gingerbread men cookies with white icing and powdered sugar dusting. | kylierecipes.com

Buttery Garlic Shrimp Linguine with White Wine has become my top pasta pick for date nights and when I need some comfort food. Each twirl of pasta gets totally covered in that buttery sauce while the shrimp just drink up all those tasty flavors. I love how making this at home gives me that fancy restaurant feel without leaving my kitchen.

Why You'll Love This Dish

There's something magical about how this recipe walks the line between fancy and homey. You get juicy shrimp, herbs picked fresh, and that amazing wine sauce that seems fancy but doesn't take much work. I whip this up whenever friends come over or when I want to treat myself after a tough week.

Grab These Ingredients

  • Butter: 4 tablespoons to create that smooth base.
  • Garlic: 4 cloves chopped up small for punch.
  • Broth: 4 cups that'll cook your pasta and make the sauce taste amazing.
  • Water: 2 cups for getting the pasta just right.
  • Linguine: 1 pound that'll grab onto all that sauce.
  • Shrimp: 1½ pounds so everyone gets plenty.
  • White Wine: ¾ cup dry stuff for that zingy flavor.
  • Sage: ¼ cup fresh to add that earthy touch.
  • Heavy Cream: 1 cup to make everything smooth and rich.
  • Parmesan: ½ cup grated right off the block.
  • Parsley: ½ cup to add color and fresh flavor.
  • Lemon: 1 whole fruit to wake everything up.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enough to make all flavors pop.

Let's Make It Together

Cook Your Pasta First
Melt some butter in a big pot and cook half your garlic till it smells good. Pour in broth with water, wait for bubbles, then drop in linguine till it's got a bit of bite left.
Cook The Shrimp
Grab another pan, drop in butter, and toss shrimp around just till they turn peachy pink.
Create Your Sauce
Throw garlic, sage and wine in with those shrimp. Let everything bubble down and get stronger in flavor.
Mix It All Up
Now put everything together - shrimp mixture, pasta, cream, cheese and a good squeeze of lemon. Toss it all around till everything's coated perfectly.

Smart Cooking Tricks

Don't overcook your shrimp or they'll get rubbery - just till they turn pink is perfect. Always save a cup of the pasta water in case your sauce needs thinning out. And don't forget that final lemon squeeze - it really brings all the tastes together.

A variety of decorated gingerbread cookies, including a smiling gingerbread man with icing details, are arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. Pin it
A variety of decorated gingerbread cookies, including a smiling gingerbread man with icing details, are arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. | kylierecipes.com

Switch Things Up

Try using half-and-half instead of cream if you want something not so heavy. You can throw in some greens like spinach or sliced zucchini too. And don't be afraid to play around with different herbs - basil or thyme work great here.

What To Serve With It

You'll want some bread with garlic butter on the side to soak up that amazing sauce. A simple green salad with a tangy dressing balances things out nicely. And of course, pour yourself a glass of cold white wine to match what's in the dish.

Storing What's Left

Put any extra pasta in a container with a tight lid and it'll stay good in your fridge about three days. When you want to eat it again, heat it slowly on the stove and add a splash of cream to bring the sauce back to life.

The Secret To Success

What makes this dish so good is how uncomplicated it is. The sauce has richness without feeling too heavy, and it lets those shrimp and fresh herbs be the stars of every mouthful.

A close-up of decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like gingerbread men, featuring white icing details on a light background. Pin it
A close-up of decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like gingerbread men, featuring white icing details on a light background. | kylierecipes.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Do I really need to chill the dough?

Chilling firms up the butter and helps the dough hold its shape while baking. It also makes rolling easier since it won’t be as sticky.

→ What’s the perfect thickness for rolling?

Go for 1/4 inch thick. Thinner dough makes crisp cookies, while thicker dough might not bake through properly.

→ How can I tell when they’re ready?

They’re done when the surface feels springy but still soft. Small ones take 6-8 minutes, medium 8-10, and larger ones 12-14.

→ Can I prep the dough the day before?

Absolutely! Keep it refrigerated overnight, but let it sit at room temp for about 15 minutes before rolling.

→ Why can’t I use blackstrap molasses?

Blackstrap molasses is too strong and can make the cookies taste bitter. Stick to regular molasses for the right balance of flavor.

Conclusion

These cookies are everything you want for holiday fun. They're soft, molasses-packed, and full of holiday spices. Whether you're baking for fun or decorating with family, they're guaranteed to make the season warm and special.

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Soft molasses cookies packed with warm spices. Perfect for making festive shapes and sharing during the holiday buzz.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Kylie

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Classic American Desserts

Yield: 50 Servings (Makes 50 medium-sized cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
02 1 teaspoon baking soda.
03 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.
04 1 large egg.
05 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
06 1 cup butter, softened.
07 1 tablespoon ground ginger.
08 1/2 teaspoon salt.
09 1 cup molasses (avoid blackstrap).
10 5 cups flour.
11 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.
12 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice.
13 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
14 1 cup light brown sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

Cream together the butter and sugar, then stir in the egg, molasses, vinegar, and vanilla.

Step 02

Combine flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture until everything's blended.

Step 03

Wrap up the dough and stick it in the fridge for at least 3 hours, or leave it overnight.

Step 04

On a floured countertop, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Create shapes with cookie cutters.

Step 05

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake 6-8 minutes for small cookies, 8-10 for medium ones, and 12-14 for bigger sizes.

Notes

  1. Don’t overwork the dough when mixing.
  2. Stick to baking cookies of the same size together.
  3. Store in an airtight tin for 1-2 weeks.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixer (electric).
  • Cookie sheets for baking.
  • Shape cutters for cookies.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter).
  • Includes eggs.
  • Has gluten due to flour.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 114
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 1 g