Ginger Brandy Cookies Recipe: A Spiced Delight for the Holiday Season
The Ginger Brandy Cookie is a festive, spiced treat that perfectly complements the cozy charm of the holiday season. Its rich flavors of cinnamon and ginger blend beautifully with the warmth of brandy, creating a mouthwatering bite that is both fragrant and satisfying. Whether you’re serving them alongside a cup of green tea, coffee, or as a delightful gift for loved ones, these cookies are sure to bring joy to any occasion. Simple to make, these cookies come together in no time, allowing you to spread holiday cheer with ease.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: Continental
- Course: Snack
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All Purpose Flour (Maida) | 2 cups |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Baking Powder | 1 teaspoon |
| Dry Ginger Powder | 1 tablespoon |
| Cinnamon Powder (Dalchini) | 2 teaspoons |
| Butter (Salted), softened | 1/2 cup |
| Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Honey | 1/4 cup |
| Whole Eggs | 1 |
| Brandy | 2 tablespoons |
Nutritional Information (per cookie, approx.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 90 kcal |
| Protein | 1.2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 4 g |
| Fiber | 0.5 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
Instructions
-
Cream the Butter and Sugar
Begin by softening the butter and placing it in a large mixing bowl. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes using an electric mixer on medium speed. -
-
Add Wet Ingredients
To the butter and sugar mixture, add the honey, brandy, and the whole egg. Beat well until all the ingredients are fully incorporated, creating a smooth and creamy mixture. -
Prepare Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift the all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder, dry ginger powder, and cinnamon powder together. This ensures an even distribution of the dry ingredients and adds a bit of air to the flour mixture, making for a fluffier cookie texture. -
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously. Beat on low speed until everything is combined into a cohesive dough. Be sure not to overmix to avoid dense cookies. -
Chill the Dough
Once the dough has come together, wrap it in plastic wrap or cover with a lid, and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. Chilling helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to handle when shaping into cookies. -
Preheat the Oven
While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the baked cookies. -
Shape the Cookies
After the dough has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator. Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of dough and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart to allow for spreading as they bake. -
Bake the Cookies
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes, or until the cookies are firm to the touch and slightly golden at the edges. The center should remain soft but set. -
Cool and Store
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Then, transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. The cooling time ensures that the cookies firm up and become crisp around the edges. -
Serve or Store
Once cooled, store the Ginger Brandy Cookies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh for up to a week. These cookies make wonderful holiday gifts when packed in decorative tins or cellophane bags.
Baking Tips for Perfect Ginger Brandy Cookies
- Chill the Dough: Don’t skip the refrigeration step. Chilling the dough makes the cookies easier to shape and helps them maintain their form while baking.
- Cookie Size: If you prefer larger cookies, simply increase the size of each dough ball and bake a little longer, checking for doneness after 15-18 minutes.
- Flavor Variations: If you like, you can add chopped crystallized ginger or a handful of chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts) to the dough for extra texture and flavor.
- Spices: The balance of ginger and cinnamon in this recipe is perfect for holiday baking, but you can adjust the spices to suit your tastes. Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or cloves for a deeper flavor profile.
Why You’ll Love This Ginger Brandy Cookie Recipe
This Ginger Brandy Cookie is more than just a treat—it’s a holiday tradition in the making. With its aromatic blend of ginger, cinnamon, and brandy, each bite carries the essence of the season. The buttery, soft texture of the cookie combined with the slight crispness around the edges makes it a truly indulgent experience. Serve these at your next holiday gathering, or gift them to friends and family—they’re sure to be a hit! Plus, the ingredients are simple and easy to find, making it the perfect recipe to add to your holiday baking lineup.
Whether enjoyed with a hot drink or given as a thoughtful homemade gift, these cookies will warm the hearts of all who taste them.
