# What You'll Need:
→ Wet Ingredients
01 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsulphured molasses
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Dry Ingredients
06 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
08 - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
11 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
12 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ For Decorating (Optional)
14 - Royal icing or store-bought icing
15 - Sprinkles, sanding sugar, or candies
# Directions:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.
02 - Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
04 - Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
05 - Divide dough into two halves, shape each into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
07 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to 1/4 inch thickness and cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
08 - Place cookies 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets.
09 - Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until edges are firm but centers remain slightly soft.
10 - Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
11 - Once cooled, decorate cookies with icing and toppings as desired.
