The Best Soft Gingerbread Cookies

One of our favourite things about this season is the smell of nutmeg and cinnamon that seems to fill the air!

Gingerbread cookies are a staple treat for so many people as we go in to the holidays. Sometimes though, they’re not the healthiest food option to choose from because of the amount of sugar in them. This is why we’ve created a recipe for soft gingerbread cookies that are better for you!

If you’re trying to cut back on your sugar intake, or are trying to make healthier food choices, this soft gingerbread cookies recipe is the perfect one for you to try. A healthy lifestyle is all about balance and this recipe contains no refined sugar — this makes it a healthier treat and it still tastes just as amazing as traditional gingerbread cookies!

An added plus? These soft gingerbread cookies can also be adapted to suit a range of dietary preferences, so you can bake a whole bunch for your loved ones and everyone can enjoy them!

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

Prep time: 15 mins + freezing time    Cook time: 10 mins    Total time: 25 mins + freezing timeServes: 16 cookiesDietary Preferences: Gluten-free, Vegetarian, Dairy-free option

Ingredients:

• 190g almond flour

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp sea salt

• 2 tbsp almond butter

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup

• 2 Medjool dates, pitted, room temperature

• 1 large egg

Cream Cheese Icing (optional)

• 60g light cream cheese, room temperature

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tbsp low-fat yoghurt

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Place the flour, baking soda, ground spices and salt into a medium bowl and mix until combined. Set aside.

3. Place the almond butter, vanilla, maple syrup and dates into a food processor and process until smooth. Add the egg and process until just combined. 

4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture, then gently stir until just combined and a soft dough forms. Do not overmix. Cover the dough with plastic film and place in the freezer for an hour. This will make the dough easier to handle and prevent the cookies from spreading on the baking sheet.

5. To make the cream cheese icing, place the cream cheese, vanilla extract, maple syrup and yoghurt in a medium bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Set aside.

6. Lightly flour your rolling pin and kitchen bench for rolling out the dough. Roll out the dough mixture until it is about 1 cm thick. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters and place on the prepared baking tray. Remaining dough can be rolled out again to make more cookies. Continue until all dough is used. 

7. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes or until the cookies start to change colour and firm slightly. Leave to cool for 2-3 minutes on the tray before moving to a wire rack to cool completely.

8. To serve the soft gingerbread cookies, fill a piping bag with the cream cheese icing and decorate them as you wish. Enjoy!

Personalise your soft gingerbread cookies as a Christmas gift

If you like to get crafty, these soft gingerbread cookies are an awesome baking opportunity to do this. Why? Get creative and decorate them in a special way before handing them out as sweet little food gifts to your loved ones. 

While icing is optional for these gingerbread cookies, if you do choose to include it you can use the piping bag filled with cream cheese icing to creatively top the cookies — for example, add your loved one's initials on top or decorate them in another personalised way to show the person you’re sharing them with that they’ve been made especially for them!

Sharing baked treats at this time of year is the perfect way to express your gratitude to those close to you!

Get social with your soft gingerbread cookies

We’d love to see your soft gingerbread cookies creations. Make sure you tag us @sweat on Instagram and show us how you chose to get creative!