• 1. In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter for 1 minute on medium speed until completely smooth and creamy.
• Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat on medium high speed until combined and creamy-looking.
• Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• Next, beat in egg and vanilla on high speed for 2 full minutes.
• Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
• The butter may separate; that’s ok.
• 2. In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves together until combined.
• On low speed, slowly mix into the wet ingredients until combined.
• The cookie dough will be quite thick and slightly sticky.
• Divide dough in half and place each onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Wrap each up tightly and pat down to create a disc shape.
• Please see photo and description above in my post.
• Chill discs for at least 3 hours and up to 3 days.
• Chilling is mandatory for this cookie dough.
• I always chill mine overnight.
• 3. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
• Line 2-3 large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• (Always recommended for cookies.) Set aside.
• 4. Remove 1 disc of chilled cookie dough from the refrigerator.
• Generously flour a work surface, as well as your hands and the rolling pin.
• Roll out disc until 1/4-inch thick.
• Tips for rolling– the dough may crack and be crumbly as you roll. What’s helpful is picking it up and rotating it as you go.
• Additionally, you can use your fingers to help meld the cracking edges back together.
• The first few rolls are always the hardest since the dough is so stiff, but re-rolling the scraps is much easier.
• Cut into shapes.
• Place shapes 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
• Re-roll dough scraps until all the dough is shaped.
• Repeat with remaining disc of dough.
• 5. Bake cookies for about 9-10 minutes.
• If your cookie cutters are smaller than 4 inches, bake for about 8 minutes.
• If your cookie cutters are larger than 4 inches, bake for about 11 minutes.
• My oven has hot spots and yours may too- so be sure to rotate the pan once during bake time.
• Keep in mind that the longer the cookies bake, the harder and crunchier they’ll be.
• For soft gingerbread cookies, follow my suggested bake times.
• 6. Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes on the cookie sheet.
• Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.
• Once completely cool, decorate as desired.
• 7. Cookies stay fresh covered at room temperature for up to 1 week.