Classic Holiday Ginger Cookies

A little spice, a little sweetness, and a kitchen filled with the comforting aroma of the holidays. This family recipe combines ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and honey for soft, fragrant cookies that are perfect for sharing.

Prep: 20 minutes | Chill: 1–1.5 hours | Bake: 7 minutes at 180°C (350°F)

Ingredients 

• 200 g all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 100 g unsalted butter, softened
• 100 g granulated sugar
• 3 tsp honey
• Pinch of salt 
• Pinch of black pepper

Instructions

1. Combine the dry ingredients. In a bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, baking soda, salt, and black pepper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until smooth. Add the egg and honey, mixing until combined.
3. Make the dough. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. 
4. Chill. Cover the dough and refrigerate for 1–1.5 hours.
5. Shape the cookies. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into your favourite holiday shapes. 
6. Bake. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for approximately 7 minutes, depending on thickness.
7. Cool and decorate. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decoration.

Optional icing

Mix 100 g powdered sugar with approximately ½ tsp lemon juice, adding a few drops of water as needed until smooth and pipeable.