Soft Gingerbread

Featured in Sweet Treats Everyone Will Love.

Create these holiday-favorite cookies with molasses and a blend of spices. The dough needs some time to chill but bakes into perfectly tender treats.

Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:27:06 GMT
Soft, decorated gingerbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar, shaped like gingerbread cutouts and topped with frosting. Pin it
Soft, decorated gingerbread cookies dusted with powdered sugar, shaped like gingerbread cutouts and topped with frosting. | thefamilycooks.com

This elegant Garlic Butter White Wine Shrimp Linguine combines delicate pasta with plump shrimp in a luxurious sauce. The buttery white wine reduction coats each strand of linguine perfectly, while fresh herbs and garlic create layers of flavor. This restaurant-quality dish brings Italian coastal cuisine right to your table.

The Magic Behind This Recipe

The beauty of this dish lies in its harmonious blend of flavors. Fresh seafood meets aromatic herbs in a silky sauce that's both refined and comforting. The technique creates a restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly simple to prepare at home.

Essential Ingredients

  • Butter: 4 tablespoons, unsalted
  • Garlic: 4 fresh cloves, finely minced
  • Chicken Broth: 4 cups, preferably low-sodium
  • Water: 2 cups for pasta cooking
  • Linguine: 1 pound, dried
  • Shrimp: 1½ pounds, peeled and deveined
  • White Wine: ¾ cup dry variety
  • Fresh Sage: ¼ cup, chopped
  • Heavy Cream: 1 cup
  • Parmesan: ½ cup freshly grated
  • Fresh Parsley: ½ cup chopped
  • Lemon: 1 whole
  • Salt and Pepper: To taste

Cooking Instructions

Begin with Pasta Base
Heat butter in a large skillet until melted. Add half the minced garlic and cook briefly. Pour in broth and water, bring to boil, add linguine and cook until tender but firm.
Prepare the Shrimp
In another pan, melt remaining butter and cook shrimp until they turn pink and opaque.
Create the Sauce
Add remaining garlic, sage, and wine to the shrimp pan. Reduce the liquid until slightly thickened.
Final Assembly
Combine pasta with shrimp mixture. Stir in cream and Parmesan. Finish with fresh lemon juice.

Professional Tips

Watch the shrimp carefully - overcooking will make them tough. Reserve a cup of pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency. Fresh lemon juice added just before serving brightens all flavors.

A variety of decorated gingerbread cookies, including a smiling gingerbread man with icing details, are arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. Pin it
A variety of decorated gingerbread cookies, including a smiling gingerbread man with icing details, are arranged on a parchment-lined baking tray. | thefamilycooks.com

Recipe Variations

Consider using half-and-half for a lighter sauce. Add seasonal vegetables like asparagus or cherry tomatoes. Fresh basil or tarragon offer excellent herbal alternatives.

Perfect Pairings

Serve alongside warm crusty bread for sauce-soaking. A crisp green salad provides fresh contrast. Choose a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio to complement the dish.

Storage Instructions

Place cooled leftovers in an airtight container. Refrigerate up to three days. When reheating, add a splash of cream and warm gently on stovetop.

Recipe Success

The key elements work together seamlessly here - tender shrimp, perfectly cooked pasta, and a balanced sauce that enhances without overwhelming the delicate seafood.

A close-up of decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like gingerbread men, featuring white icing details on a light background. Pin it
A close-up of decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like gingerbread men, featuring white icing details on a light background. | thefamilycooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What’s the reason for chilling the dough?

Chilling makes the dough firmer, helping it stay in shape while baking. It also lets the flavor develop as the flour absorbs moisture.

→ How thin should I roll the dough?

Keep it at about 1/4 inch thick. Thinner dough leads to crispy cookies, while thicker dough may leave them undercooked in the middle.

→ How can I tell if my cookies are baked?

The tops should gently bounce back when touched but still feel soft. Cooking times vary by size: around 6-8 minutes for small ones, medium cookies about 8-10, and larger ones 12-14 minutes.

→ Can I prep my dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can refrigerate it overnight. Allow it to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before rolling to make it easier to handle.

→ Why should I skip blackstrap molasses?

Regular molasses brings a balanced sweetness and mild flavor. Blackstrap, on the other hand, is stronger and overly bitter, overpowering the other flavors.

Conclusion

Soft gingerbread cookies are a timeless part of the holidays. With their cozy mix of spices and sweet molasses, these cookies are perfect to bake and decorate, making them a family-favorite treat every year.

Soft Gingerbread

Warm and cozy gingerbread that’s soft, spiced, and ready for holiday fun. Perfect for shaping into festive designs.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American Baking

Yield: 50 Servings (50 medium cookies)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 cup molasses (not blackstrap).
02 1/2 teaspoon salt.
03 1 cup light brown sugar.
04 1 cup butter, at room temperature.
05 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
06 1 large egg.
07 5 cups all-purpose flour.
08 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar.
09 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.
10 1 tablespoon ground ginger.
11 1 teaspoon baking soda.
12 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice.
13 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves.
14 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon.

Instructions

Step 01

Whip up the butter together with the sugar, then work in the egg, molasses, vinegar, and vanilla.

Step 02

Mix the flour, spices, salt, and baking soda. Stir this into the wet mix until everything is blended.

Step 03

Wrap the dough and pop it in the fridge. Let it chill for at least 3 hours, or even overnight.

Step 04

Roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness on a floured countertop and cut it into fun shapes.

Step 05

Bake at 350°F - smaller cookies (6 to 8 minutes), medium ones (8 to 10 minutes), and larger ones (12 to 14 minutes).

Notes

  1. Don’t overwork the dough or it’ll be tough.
  2. Bake cookies of the same size at the same time.
  3. Store them in an airtight container, and they'll stay good for a week or two.

Tools You'll Need

  • Hand mixer or stand mixer.
  • Cookie cutters.
  • A few baking sheets.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy from the butter.
  • Includes eggs.
  • Uses flour, which contains gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 114
  • Total Fat: 4 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 1 g