Maple Gingerbread Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic holiday treat. With the rich warmth of gingerbread and the sweet, earthy notes of maple syrup, these cookies are perfect for cozy winter nights. Whip up a batch to fill your home with an irresistible aroma and enjoy the festive spirit.
Flour: The foundation of our cookies, providing structure. Regular all-purpose flour works perfectly here.
Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just enough to keep them from being too dense.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor by balancing the sweetness.
Ginger, cinnamon, and cloves: These spices bring warmth and depth, creating that cozy gingerbread aroma.
Butter: Provides richness and that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Maple syrup: Adds sweetness and a unique flavor that sets these cookies apart.
Brown sugar: Its molasses content complements the spices and adds to the chewy texture.
Molasses: Intensifies the gingerbread flavor and gives the cookies their signature color.
Egg: Binds the dough together and adds moisture.
Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavors with a hint of sweetness.
Water: Just a bit to help bring everything together into a smooth dough.
These cookies pair wonderfully with a hot cup of spiced tea or a classic mug of hot chocolate. They also make a charming addition to a holiday dessert platter, nestled among other seasonal treats like peppermint bark or chocolate truffles.
Start by grabbing two bowls. In the first, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. This ensures the spices are evenly distributed, so you don’t end up with a mouthful of ginger in one bite. Set this dry mixture aside.
In your second bowl, beat the butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar until the mixture is fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer. Next, mix in the molasses, egg, vanilla extract, and water until everything is smooth. You’re aiming for a uniform consistency here.
Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mix. Stir gently until a dough forms. It might take a little arm work, but it’s worth it. Once your dough is ready, wrap it in plastic wrap and let it chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This step is crucial for rolling the dough out later.
After chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use cookie cutters to shape your cookies and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 8-10 minutes until the edges are firm. Let them cool on a wire rack. Your kitchen should smell like a gingerbread wonderland by now!
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