Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup (200g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • ¾ cup (180ml) unsulfured molasses
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar (for royal icing)
  • 3 large egg whites or 1/4 cup (60ml) egg white powder (for royal icing)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (for royal icing)

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, spices, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture until just combined.
  5. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for 1 hour.
  6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick.
  8. Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes, then transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
  9. Bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until edges are firm.
  10. Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
  11. If using, prepare royal icing by mixing powdered sugar, egg whites, and lemon juice until thick and glossy.
  12. Decorate cooled cookies as desired and allow icing to set.