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Gingerbread Cut-out Cookies

Just when you thought gingerbread couldn’t get any better, the Redpath Chefs take it up a tasty notch! These spiced-up treats have a pleasant bite that will warm your merry old soul on the chilliest winter day. Plus, they’re fun for decorating, hanging as ornaments, or gifting to loved ones.

Prep Time
15 minutes
2 hours chilling time
Cook Time
10 to 12 minutes (depending on the thickness of cookie)
Servings
  • 3¾ cups (469 g) all-purpose flour 3¾ cups (469 g) all-purpose flour
  • 6 tsp (18 g) ground cinnamon 6 tsp (18 g) ground cinnamon
  • 5 tsp (10 g) ground ginger 5 tsp (10 g) ground ginger
  • 2 tsp (4 g) ground cardamom 2 tsp (4 g) ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp (2 g) ground cloves 1 tsp (2 g) ground cloves
  • ¾ tsp (4 g) salt ¾ tsp (4 g) salt
  • ½ tsp (1 g) ground white pepper ½ tsp (1 g) ground white pepper
  • ¼ tsp (1 g) baking soda ¼ tsp (1 g) baking soda
  • ½ cup +1 tbsp (127 g) butter ½ cup +1 tbsp (127 g) butter
  • ⅔ cup (133 g) Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar ⅔ cup (133 g) Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar
  • 1 egg 1 egg
  • ½ cup (125 ml) molasses ½ cup (125 ml) molasses
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract 1 tbsp (15 ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 4 tsp (8 g) orange zest, finely grated 4 tsp (8 g) orange zest, finely grated
Rolling Pin
Cookie Cutters
Microplane

Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, salt, white pepper, and baking soda until thoroughly combined.

Step 2

In the bowl of a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, blend the butter on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy; 1 minute.

Step 3

Add in the Redpath® Organic Granulated Sugar and cream until mixture is light and fluffy; about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Scrape down sides and add in the egg and blend until fully incorporated. Add in the molasses, vanilla extract, and the orange zest. Cream mixture on medium speed until well mixed.

Mixing creamed butter and sugar with molasses, vanilla, and orange zest

Step 5

Add dry ingredients into the butter-sugar mixture and mix on low speed until combined.

Mixing butter-sugar mixture with flour, baking soda, and spices

Step 6

Divide dough in half. Form each half into a flattened rectangle and wrap well in a piece of plastic wrap. Chill for at least 2 hours to ensure dough firms up and becomes less tacky.

Wrapping divided cookie dough with plastic wrap

Step 7

Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Step 8

Remove one of the sections of dough from fridge; allow dough to sit for 5 minutes before rolling.

Step 9

Very lightly flour a piece of parchment and place the dough into the centre of the paper. Place a second piece of parchment on top of the dough. Roll dough to between ¼- to ⅛-inch thickness.

Rolled cookie dough between two sheets of parchment

Step 10

With desired cookie cutters, dipped in flour to prevent sticking, cut out shapes. With an offset spatula to help, place gingerbread cookies onto the prepared baking sheets. Place in fridge to chill; 10 minutes. Scraps can be rerolled and cut.

Step 11

Remove chilled cookies from the fridge and place into the preheated oven. Depending on the thickness of the cookies, bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies feel quite firm and dry to the touch.

Step 12

Remove from oven and cool on pan; 5 minutes. Carefully transfer cookies to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before decorating.

A circular dish full of gingerbread cut-out cookies decorated for Christmas

Chef's Tip

*Organic produce and products can be found in the organic aisle of any major grocery store or in health food stores. Use organic ingredients wherever possible.

*Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.

*For a more traditional flavour, omit orange zest.

*Black pepper can be used in place of the white pepper, if not available.

*Dough can be chilled for up to 3 days, making this a great make-ahead recipe.

*If dough cut-outs become difficult to remove from parchment, transfer parchment paper and cut-outs onto a baking sheet and in the fridge to chill and firm up for about 10 minutes before attempting again. 

*Thinner cookies (rolling dough to ⅛-inch) will make “harder” cookies than thicker ones. 

*To ensure a stiffer cookie (for making into decorations or houses), especially for the thicker rolled cookies, bake for the full 12 minutes.