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Soft Cream Cheese Gingerbread Cookies: Best Easy Holiday Recipe

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These soft cream cheese gingerbread cookies are pillowy and tender, with warm gingerbread spice and a cream cheese tang that cuts through the sweetness. The secret is cream cheese in the dough, which keeps them soft for days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat brick style)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsulphured molasses (not blackstrap)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (pure)
  • 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt (fine sea salt or table salt)
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon allspice (optional)
  • For the Cream Cheese Frosting (Optional):
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened (full-fat brick)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened (half a stick)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugars. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and fluffy—about 2 minutes. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and beat for another 2-3 minutes until the mixture is light and airy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula at least once.
  2. Add the wet ingredients. Beat in the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract on medium speed until fully combined. The mixture will look a bit curdled—that’s normal. Scrape the bowl again.
  3. Whisk the dry ingredients together. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in two additions, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined. Stop when you no longer see streaks of flour. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky.
  5. Chill the dough. Scrape the dough onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Flatten it into a disc about 1 inch thick, wrap it tightly, and refrigerate for at least 45 minutes.
  6. Preheat and prepare. About 15 minutes before the dough is done chilling, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
  7. Scoop and shape. Using a 1.5-tablespoon cookie scoop, portion out the dough and roll each piece into a smooth ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart. For a classic gingerbread look, gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in granulated sugar.
  8. Bake. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. The cookies should look puffed and set around the edges but still soft in the center. Pull them at exactly 11 minutes for perfect soft texture.
  9. Cool. Let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
  10. Make the frosting (if using). While the cookies cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed. Add the vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Beat on medium-high for 2 minutes until fluffy. Add more liquid if needed.
  11. Frost and decorate. Spread a generous amount of frosting on each cooled cookie. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon, sanding sugar, or decorations. Let the frosting set for about 15 minutes before stacking or serving.

Notes

Chill the dough for at least 45 minutes to prevent spreading. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling. Bake one sheet at a time for even results. Cookies taste even better the next day as flavors meld.

Nutrition

Keywords: soft gingerbread cookies, cream cheese gingerbread, holiday cookies, easy gingerbread recipe, soft cookies, Christmas cookies, gingerbread with cream cheese

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/soft-cream-cheese-gingerbread-cookies-best-easy-holiday-recipe/