Gingerbread cookies already scream holiday joy, but let’s crank it up. Enter the espresso sugar glaze—a game-changer nobody saw coming. It’s the perfect balance of spicy warmth from ginger and a caffeinated sugar rush that wakes up your taste buds. These cookies are crispy on the edges, chewy inside, and unapologetically bold in flavor. One bite and you’ll wonder how plain gingerbread ever survived without this magical glaze. Warning: they disappear faster than presents on Christmas morning, so maybe make a double batch.
Gingerbread Cookies with Espresso Sugar Glaze
Spicy gingerbread cookies drizzled with a bold espresso sugar glaze for the ultimate holiday indulgence with a caffeinated twist.
Ingredients
For the Cookies:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup molasses
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Espresso Sugar Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp strong brewed espresso cooled
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and molasses, mixing until smooth.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Shape and Bake: Roll dough into 1-inch balls and place them on baking sheets, leaving space between each. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Cool: Allow cookies to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Prepare the Glaze: Whisk powdered sugar, espresso, and vanilla until smooth.
- Glaze the Cookies: Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cookies using a spoon or piping bag. Let the glaze set before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
- Calories: 190 kcal
- Total Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Iron: 6%
- Potassium: 4%
- Magnesium: 3%
- Calcium: 3%
- Folate: 2%
Additional Notes/Tips
- Sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on the glaze for a sweet-savory touch.
- Use dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor.
- Store in an airtight container for up to a week—if they last that long!
