Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze

Ingredients: For the Gingerbread Cookies:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 large egg

For the Maple Glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1-2 tablespoons milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation Steps:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Sift Dry Ingredients:
   • In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
   • In another bowl, cream together softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add Wet Ingredients:
   • Beat in molasses and the egg until well combined.
5. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
   • Gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6. Shape and Bake:
   • Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets, leaving space between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are set.
7. Cool Cookies:
   • Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. Prepare Maple Glaze:
   • In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk, and vanilla extract until a smooth glaze forms.
9. Glaze and Decorate:
   • Drizzle the maple glaze over the cooled cookies. Optionally, sprinkle with festive decorations or chopped nuts.
10. Set and Enjoy:

• Allow the glaze to set before indulging in these Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze. Share the joy of the season with each delightful bite.

These Soft Gingerbread Cookies with Maple Glaze bring the spirit of the holidays to life, combining the warmth of gingerbread with the richness of maple in every soft and flavorful cookie.