During the festive season, there’s nothing quite as delightful as the warm aroma of freshly baked treats wafting through the house. These Galletas De Jengibre Ginger Cookies are a classic Spanish Christmas recipe that will fill your home with the cozy scent of ginger, cinnamon, and sweetness. Perfect for enjoying with a cup of hot cocoa or gifting to loved ones, these cookies are sure to become a holiday favorite. Let’s dive into how to make these delicious Ginger Cookies that will have everyone asking for more.
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon ground ginger
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup white sugar
– 1 egg
– 1/4 cup molasses
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat and Prepare:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This will ensure the cookies don’t stick and make clean-up a breeze.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. This will ensure that all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and result in perfectly spiced cookies.
3. **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a separate mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step is essential for achieving a tender and melt-in-your-mouth texture in your cookies.
4. **Add Wet Ingredients:** Once the butter and sugar are well combined, add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract. Mix until everything is thoroughly incorporated.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry:** Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a smooth cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
6. **Chill the Dough:** For best results, cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This will help the flavors meld together and make the dough easier to work with.
7. **Shape and Bake:** After chilling, scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the dough and roll them into balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each cookie for spreading. Use a fork to gently press down on each ball to create a crisscross pattern.
8. **Bake and Enjoy:** Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers are still slightly soft. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
9. **Serve and Store:** Your Galletas De Jengibre Ginger Cookies are now ready to be enjoyed! Serve them alongside a cup of tea or pack them up in festive boxes for gifting. Store any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.
You’ve now mastered the art of baking these delightful Spanish Christmas Ginger Cookies. This recipe is versatile and can be customized with your favorite spices or decorations to suit your taste. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply want to indulge in a cozy baking session, these cookies are the perfect treat. Get ready to impress your guests and spread the joy of the season with these delicious Galletas De Jengibre!
