Something about gingerbread cookies with royal icing instantly makes the kitchen feel like Christmas. 🎄🍪
Maybe it is the smell of ginger and cinnamon warming in the oven.
Maybe it is the row of little gingerbread people waiting to be decorated.
Maybe it is the moment we pull out the piping bags, and suddenly everybody becomes convinced they are a cookie artist.
Whatever the reason, gingerbread cookies bring a kind of holiday magic that chocolate chip cookies simply cannot compete with in December.
And this recipe gives us the best of both worlds.
We get deeply spiced gingerbread cookies with crisp edges and tender centers, plus a smooth royal icing that dries firm enough for decorating, stacking, gifting, and showing off on a Christmas cookie tray.
For the spice profile, we are leaning heavily into Watkins favorites, including Watkins Organic Ground Ginger, Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon, and Watkins Organic Ground Cloves. Watkins currently describes its Organic Ground Ginger as warm and tangy, while its Organic Ground Cinnamon is a Cassia cinnamon sourced from organic farms in Southeast Asia. Watkins also currently lists Organic Ground Cloves in its herbs and spices collection.
We also use Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla® to round out all those warm spices. Watkins currently describes this vanilla as a lower-alcohol baking formula designed to retain flavor during baking and freezing.
So yes.
These cookies smell incredible.
They taste even better.
And once that royal icing comes out?
The kitchen officially becomes a holiday decorating studio.
Aprons optional.
Christmas music strongly encouraged. 😎🎶
Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing Yield & Timing
The exact yield depends on the size of our cookie cutters.
Tiny stars?
We will get considerably more.
Giant gingerbread people the size of a small dinner plate?
Well… somebody is clearly committed to Christmas. 😂
Why We Love These Gingerbread Cookies
A good gingerbread cookie needs balance.
We don’t want something so hard it could double as a Christmas ornament until 2035.
We also do not want a cookie so soft that it bends when we pick it up.
This recipe lands comfortably in the middle.
The edges bake firm enough to hold their shape while the center stays pleasantly tender.
That makes these cookies perfect for decorating because we get clean lines without sacrificing texture.
We especially love them because they are:
- Richly spiced
- Easy to roll and cut
- Excellent for royal icing
- Sturdy enough for gifting
- Freezer-friendly
- Great for baking with children
- Perfect for Christmas cookie trays
- Easy to prepare ahead
- Beautiful for holiday parties
- Delicious even without icing
And because the dough is flavored with molasses, brown sugar, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, the cookies still taste like something even after the decorations come off.
Novel concept, we know. 😉
What Makes a Great Gingerbread Cookie?
The best gingerbread cookies have several things happening at once.
First, we need molasses.
That gives gingerbread its deep brown color and slightly caramelized flavor.
Then we need warm spices.
Ginger is the star, but cinnamon and cloves add depth.
Next comes brown sugar, which softens the molasses and adds moisture.
Butter gives us richness.
Vanilla smooths everything together.
And finally, enough flour gives the dough structure so our gingerbread person still looks like a gingerbread person after baking.
Because if the little guy enters the oven with arms and comes out looking like a pancake…
We have questions. 😄
Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookies
For the Gingerbread Cookie Dough
We will need:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon Watkins Organic Ground Ginger
- 2 teaspoons Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Watkins Organic Ground Cloves
- ¼ teaspoon Watkins Organic Ground Nutmeg, optional
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup packed dark brown sugar
- ½ cup unsulphured molasses
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®
For the Royal Icing
We will need:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons meringue powder
- 5 to 6 tablespoons warm water
- ½ teaspoon Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®, optional
- Gel food coloring, optional
For decorating, we will also need:
- Piping bags
- Small round piping tips, optional
- Toothpicks or scribe tool
- Sprinkles, optional
And perhaps patience.
Royal icing knows when we are in a hurry.
It can sense fear. 😂
Why Watkins Organic Ground Ginger Is Key
Gingerbread should taste like ginger.
Seems obvious.
Yet plenty of gingerbread cookies somehow taste mostly like brown sugar with a vague rumor of spice.
We are not doing that.
Watkins Organic Ground Ginger is one of the main flavors here.
Watkins describes it as warm and tangy, and that slightly peppery ginger bite is exactly what gives gingerbread its signature personality.
One full tablespoon may sound generous.
It is.
That is intentional.
Molasses and brown sugar are strong flavors, so we need enough ginger to stand up beside them.
Why Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon Belongs Here
Cinnamon softens ginger’s sharper edge and adds warmth.
Watkins currently describes its Organic Ground Cinnamon as pure Cassia cinnamon with a sweet flavor.
Cassia cinnamon has that bold, familiar cinnamon flavor we associate with holiday baking.
It works beautifully with:
- Ginger
- Molasses
- Brown sugar
- Vanilla
- Cloves
And while ginger may get top billing in gingerbread, cinnamon is definitely backstage making sure the whole production works.
Do Not Skip Watkins Organic Ground Cloves
Cloves are powerful.
We do not need much.
But that little ¼ teaspoon of Watkins Organic Ground Cloves makes a noticeable difference.
It adds a deeper, slightly sweet and aromatic spice note that keeps our gingerbread from tasting flat.
Watkins currently lists Organic Ground Cloves among its spice offerings.
Cloves are one of those ingredients where a little is wonderful.
A lot?
Suddenly the cookie tastes like someone emptied the spice cabinet into it.
We respect cloves.
We do not challenge them. 😄
Why Watkins Baking Vanilla Works in Gingerbread
Vanilla may not seem like an obvious gingerbread ingredient, but it helps round out the stronger flavors.
Molasses can taste slightly bitter.
Ginger can be sharp.
Cloves can be intense.
Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla® smooths those edges and makes the entire cookie taste more cohesive.
Watkins says the product is formulated to hold its flavor during baking and freezing, which is especially useful for holiday cookies we may bake ahead or freeze.
That makes it a very practical holiday-baking pantry staple.
How to Make Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- Flour
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Watkins Organic Ground Ginger
- Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon
- Watkins Organic Ground Cloves
- Nutmeg, if using
Whisk well.
This distributes the spices evenly throughout the flour.
Nobody wants one cookie with all the cloves and another cookie wondering where Christmas went.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Brown Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar for approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
The mixture should lighten and become fluffy.
This step helps create a tender texture.
Do not rush it.
Our mixer is doing important work here.
Step 3: Add the Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla
Beat in:
- Molasses
- Egg
- Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla®
Mix until smooth.
The dough will become beautifully dark and fragrant.
At this stage, the kitchen already smells suspiciously festive.
Step 4: Add the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture.
Mix only until the dough comes together.
Do not overmix.
The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
That is normal.
We are not adding extra flour yet.
Trust the refrigerator.
Step 5: Chill the Dough
Divide the dough into two discs.
Wrap each tightly.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
We can also refrigerate the dough overnight.
Chilling does several things:
- Firms the butter
- Makes rolling easier
- Reduces spreading
- Helps cookie shapes stay sharp
- Allows the spice flavors to develop
Skipping this step can lead to gingerbread people with unusually wide hips.
No judgment.
But we would like them to fit on the cookie tray. 😄
Step 6: Roll the Dough
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Lightly flour the work surface.
Roll one disc of dough to approximately ¼-inch thickness.
For slightly crisp cookies, roll a little thinner.
For softer cookies, keep them closer to ¼ inch.
Try to roll evenly.
Uneven dough means some cookies bake while others stay halfway between a cookie and a dough ball.
Step 7: Cut the Gingerbread Shapes
Dip cookie cutters lightly in flour.
Cut:
- Gingerbread people
- Stars
- Trees
- Snowflakes
- Bells
- Mittens
- Houses
Transfer carefully to the baking sheet.
Leave about 1 inch between cookies.
Re-roll scraps only once or twice.
Too much repeated rolling can make the dough tough.
Step 8: Bake the Gingerbread Cookies
Bake for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
For softer centers, stay near 8 minutes.
For crisper cookies, bake closer to 10 minutes.
The edges should look set.
The centers may still look slightly soft when we remove them.
They will continue to firm up as they cool.
Let the cookies sit on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack.
Do Not Decorate Warm Cookies
This deserves its own section.
Royal icing plus warm cookies equals:
holiday landslide.
The icing melts.
The lines disappear.
The gingerbread pperson’ssmile suddenly slides toward one ear.
Let the cookies cool completely.
Completely means completely.
Not “they feel mostly cool, and we are impatient”
We know that trick. 😉
How to Make Royal Icing
Royal icing dries firm, which makes it ideal for detailed cookie decorating.
In a large bowl, combine:
- Powdered sugar
- Meringue powder
- Warm water
- Vanilla, if using
Beat on low speed until combined.
Then beat on medium speed for approximately 4 to 5 minutes.
The icing should become glossy and thick.
How to Get the Right Royal Icing Consistency
This part sounds complicated.
It really is not.
We usually work with two consistencies.
Piping Consistency
For outlines and details, use thicker icing.
When lifted with a spoon, it should hold its shape.
Use this for:
- Faces
- Buttons
- Borders
- Snowflake details
- Words
Flood Consistency
For filling larger areas, thin the icing with water.
Add water a few drops at a time.
When we drag a spoon through the icing, the surface should smooth itself out in approximately 10 to 15 seconds.
That is a good starting point for flooding.
Too thick?
The surface will remain lumpy.
Too thin?
Our Christmas tree becomes a green icing puddle.
Still edible.
Less majestic.
How to Decorate Gingerbread Cookies
Start simple.
A gingerbread cookie does not require a culinary art degree.
For gingerbread people, pipe:
- Eyes
- Smile
- Buttons
- Cuffs
- Wavy lines on arms and legs
For snowflakes, use thin lines and dots.
For Christmas trees, flood with green icing and add dots for ornaments.
For stars, outline in white and add sanding sugar.
For a modern look, keep everything white.
Honestly, white royal icing against dark gingerbread is beautiful on its own.
How Long Does Royal Icing Take to Dry?
Let cookies dry uncovered at room temperature for about 4 to 8 hours.
For completely firm icing before stacking, overnight is even better.
Do not refrigerate freshly decorated cookies unless necessary.
Humidity can affect royal icing.
Once dry, store cookies in an airtight container.
How to Keep Gingerbread Cookies from Spreading
If our beautiful stars come out looking like blobs, one of several things may have happened.
The Dough Was Too Warm
Return cut cookies to the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before baking.
Too Much Butter
Measure carefully.
Too Little Flour
Use proper measuring technique.
Spoon flour into the measuring cup and level it.
The Baking Sheet Was Warm
Never place raw dough onto a hot baking sheet.
That melts the butter before the cookies even enter the oven.
How to Get Softer Gingerbread Cookies
For tender cookies:
- Roll dough slightly thicker
- Bake for closer to 8 minutes
- Do not overbake
- Store airtight
A slice of bread placed inside the storage container can help keep cookies soft.
The cookies absorb some moisture from the bread.
Just replace the bread when it becomes dry.
Holiday science. 😎
How to Make Crisp Gingerbread Cookies
Prefer crunch?
Roll the dough slightly thinner.
Bake 1 to 2 minutes longer.
Allow them to cool completely.
These are especially good for:
- Decorating
- Cookie ornaments
- Gingerbread houses
- Dunking into coffee or cocoa
Make-Ahead Gingerbread Cookie Dough
This dough is extremely holiday-friendly.
We can prepare it up to 2 days ahead and store it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
We can also freeze it.
Wrap each dough disc tightly in plastic.
Place inside a freezer bag.
Freeze for approximately 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Then roll and bake as usual.
This is especially useful during December when every calendar seems to suddenly contain fourteen things.
Can We Freeze Baked Gingerbread Cookies?
Absolutely.
Freeze baked cookies before decorating for the easiest results.
Cool completely.
Layer them between parchment paper.
Place in an airtight freezer container.
Freeze for up to approximately 2 months.
Thaw completely before decorating.
We can also freeze decorated cookies once the royal icing is completely dry, but undecorated cookies generally preserve better.
Christmas Prep Timeline for Gingerbread Cookies
Here is an easy schedule if we are baking for Christmas.
3 to 4 Weeks Before Christmas
Buy:
- Flour
- Brown sugar
- Molasses
- Powdered sugar
- Meringue powder
- Watkins spices
- Watkins vanilla
- Sprinkles
- Parchment paper
This avoids the December 23rd grocery-store scavenger hunt.
We have all participated.
Nobody wins.
2 to 3 Days Before Decorating
Make the dough.
Refrigerate.
1 Day Before Decorating
Bake the cookies.
Cool completely.
Store airtight.
Decorating Day
Prepare royal icing.
Decorate.
Let dry overnight.
Now our holiday cookie tray is ready.
Cost-Saving Tips for Gingerbread Cookies
Holiday baking adds up quickly, especially when we are making several varieties.
Thankfully, gingerbread cookies use inexpensive pantry ingredients.
Buy Flour and Sugar in Larger Packages
If we are baking multiple holiday recipes, bulk sizes can reduce cost.
Use One Set of Spices Across Several Recipes
Watkins Organic Ground Ginger, Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon, and Watkins Organic Ground Cloves can also be used in:
- Pumpkin bread
- Sweet potato pie
- Spice cake
- Apple desserts
- French toast
- Holiday drinks
- Gingerbread loaf
- Cookies
That makes them far more useful than one-recipe ingredients.
Reuse Cookie Cutters
Quality cutters last for years.
Classic shapes never really go out of style.
A snowflake remains a snowflake.
Pinterest cannot change that. 😂
Skip Elaborate Decorations
Simple white royal icing can look just as elegant as five colors and twenty kinds of sprinkles.
Sometimes less really does look better.
Pro Kitchen Hack: Roll Dough Between Parchment Sheets
Here is a trick that makes gingerbread baking considerably easier.
Place dough between two sheets of parchment.
Roll to the desired thickness.
Refrigerate the rolled dough.
Then remove the top parchment and cut shapes.
This reduces sticking and eliminates the need for too much extra flour.
Extra flour can make cookies tough.
Plus, cleanup gets easier.
We love a baking trick that saves both texture and sanity.
Gingerbread Cookie Variations
Orange Gingerbread Cookies
Add finely grated orange zest to the dough.
Orange and ginger are excellent together.
Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Replace a small portion of the flour with cocoa powder.
Now gingerbread has gone slightly dramatic.
We approve.
Extra-Spicy Gingerbread
Increase ginger slightly and add a tiny pinch of black pepper.
The result has a warmer finish.
Maple Royal Icing
Replace a small amount of the water with maple flavoring or maple syrup, adjusting powdered sugar as needed.
Lemon Royal Icing
Add a small amount of lemon extract to the icing.
The bright citrus flavor contrasts nicely with the dark spices.
Gingerbread Cookies for Holiday Gifting
Few homemade gifts feel as festive as decorated gingerbread cookies.
Once royal icing is fully dry, stack cookies between sheets of parchment.
Package in:
- Clear treat bags
- Cookie tins
- Bakery boxes
- Mason jars for smaller cookies
Tie with ribbon.
Add a handwritten tag.
Done.
We now have a homemade holiday gift that looks thoughtful without costing a small fortune.
How to Build a Gingerbread Cookie Decorating Party
This recipe is perfect for holiday entertaining.
Bake the cookies ahead.
Prepare several icing colors.
Set out:
- Piping bags
- Sprinkles
- Sanding sugar
- Candy pearls
- Mini chocolate chips
Give everybody cookies and let creativity happen.
Will all the cookies be Pinterest-perfect?
Absolutely not.
Will somebody inevitably create a gingerbread person wearing sunglasses and six buttons?
Almost certainly.
That is part of the fun. 😄
Frequently Asked Questions About Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing
Can We Make Gingerbread Cookies Without Molasses?
Technically yes, but the flavor changes significantly.
Molasses is one of the ingredients that gives traditional gingerbread its characteristic color and depth.
What Kind of Molasses Should We Use?
Use unsulphured regular or dark molasses.
Avoid blackstrap molasses unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
Blackstrap is much more bitter.
Can We Use Honey Instead of Molasses?
Honey creates a different cookie.
It will be sweeter, lighter, and less traditionally gingerbread-like.
Why Is My Gingerbread Dough Sticky?
Warm dough often becomes sticky.
Chill it.
Avoid adding too much flour right away.
Can We Make Royal Icing Without Meringue Powder?
Yes.
You can also make royal icing with pasteurized egg whites.
Meringue powder is simply convenient and consistent.
Can We Add Food Coloring to Royal Icing?
Absolutely.
Gel coloring works best because it adds color without adding much liquid.
How Long Do Gingerbread Cookies Last?
Stored airtight, plain gingerbread cookies usually keep well for approximately 1 week.
Decorated cookies also hold well once the royal icing is completely dry.
Why Gingerbread Cookies Belong in the Holiday Baking Rotation
Some recipes simply feel like Christmas.
Gingerbread cookies are one of them.
They make the kitchen smell festive.
They invite everyone to participate.
They double as gifts.
They look beautiful on cookie trays.
And somehow decorating a little gingerbread person still makes grown adults strangely competitive.
We understand.
That button placement matters. 😄
The Gingerbread Cookies We Will Make Every Christmas
These Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing deliver exactly what we want from a classic holiday cookie.
They are warmly spiced.
The edges are crisp.
The centers stay tender.
The cookies hold their shape.
And that smooth royal icing gives us endless decorating possibilities.
Watkins Organic Ground Ginger brings the signature ginger warmth.
Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon adds deep holiday sweetness.
Watkins Organic Ground Cloves give the dough that unmistakable old-fashioned spice note.
And Watkins Original Gourmet Baking Vanilla® ties the whole flavor profile together.
Make them for Christmas Eve.
Decorate them with the family.
Bring them to a cookie exchange.
Wrap them as homemade gifts.
Or make a batch, pour some hot cocoa, turn on a holiday movie, and decorate cookies simply because December gave us an excuse. 🎄🍪✨
Order Watkins Products here to stock up on Watkins Organic Ground Ginger, Watkins Organic Ground Cinnamon, Watkins Organic Ground Cloves, vanilla extracts, and other holiday baking essentials.
And be sure to save these Gingerbread Cookies with Royal Icing to Pinterest so they are ready for Christmas baking, cookie exchanges, gifting, and holiday decorating fun. 📌
Because once the ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and vanilla hit the oven?
Christmas has officially entered the kitchen.
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed are my own. I am not a professional, and the information shared should not be considered professional, legal, medical, or financial advice. Please use your own judgment before trying any recipes, tips, or recommendations. This blog may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I appreciate your support.
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