12 Days of Holiday Baking

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup Unsalted Butter (softened at room temperature)
• 1/4 cup Dark Brown Sugar (packed)
• 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Ground Clove
• 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg (optional – omit if nut allergy concerns)
• 1 pinch Salt
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla Extract (splash of vanilla)
• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 cup Molasses
• 2.5 cups All-Purpose Flour (recommended to sift before use)
• 2 cups Powdered Sugar (for coating the dough balls)

Instructions

1. Cream Butter and Sugar

   In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter (3/4 cup) and packed dark brown sugar (1/4 cup). Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3‑4 minutes, scraping down the sides twice.

   Time: PT4M

2. Incorporate Spices and Baking Soda

   Add baking soda (2 tsp), ground clove (1 tsp), ground ginger (1 tsp), ground cinnamon (1 tsp), a pinch of salt, and vanilla extract (1.5 tsp) to the creamed mixture. Mix briefly until just combined.

   Time: PT1M

3. Add Egg and Molasses

   Crack the egg into a separate bowl, then add it to the mixture. Pour in molasses (1/4 cup) and mix on low speed until just incorporated; avoid overmixing.

   Time: PT1M

4. Add Flour

   Gradually add the all‑purpose flour (2.5 cups) to the dough, about 1/2 cup at a time, mixing on low until the dough comes together. Stop when just combined; do not overmix.

   Time: PT2M

5. Chill Dough

   Shape the dough into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to 24 hours) to firm.

   Time: PT2H

6. Prepare Powdered Sugar

   Place powdered sugar (2 cups) in a shallow bowl for coating the dough balls.

   Time: PT30S

7. Form and Coat Cookies

   Using a cookie scoop (or tablespoon), portion the chilled dough and roll between your hands into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter. Roll each ball thoroughly in powdered sugar, then place on a silpat‑lined baking sheet.

   Time: PT15M

8. Bake Cookies

   Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake the cookies for 8‑10 minutes, until the edges are set but the centers remain soft. Rotate the sheet halfway through baking.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 350°F

9. Cool Cookies

   Allow the cookies to sit on the baking sheet for 2 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

120

Protein

1 g

Carbohydrates

20 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

1 g