Gingerbread Cookies with a Festive Spice Blend and Rich Molasses

Ingredients:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 2 tbsp molasses

Instructions:

1. Start by preheating your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and inviting.
3. Introduce the egg and molasses to the creamed butter and sugar, blending until thoroughly combined.
4. Gradually incorporate the flour, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and cocoa powder into the wet ingredients, stirring to form a dough that is cohesive yet pliable.
5. If the dough feels too sticky, feel free to sprinkle in a little extra flour to achieve the right consistency.
6. Gently knead the dough until it’s smooth, then swaddle it in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to firm up.
7. For charmingly shaped cookies, press the dough into a flour-dusted cookie mold or use a cookie cutter to achieve your desired silhouettes.
8. Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and grant them another brief chill in the fridge for 15 minutes to help them hold their shape.
9. Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, until they’re just set and the kitchen is filled with the warm, spicy scent of the holidays.
10. Allow the cookies to cool on the sheet before moving them to a wire rack, where they’ll crisp up as they reach room temperature.

To Serve:

• Present these gingerbread cookies as a sweet conclusion to a festive meal or as a treat to accompany a hot cup of cocoa. Enjoy the blend of spices that sings of holiday cheer in every bite.