Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that your cookies bake evenly, giving them that perfect, soft texture.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This step is crucial as it gives the cookies their delightful texture.
Gradually sift in the all-purpose flour along with ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and salt into the butter mixture. Add the vanilla extract as well. Mix on low speed until the ingredients are well combined, creating a soft dough. Avoid over-mixing to keep the cookies tender.
Once the dough is formed, use your hands to shape it into small balls, about one inch in diameter. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring there’s some space between each cookie to allow for spreading while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12-15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The centers may seem slightly soft, but they will firm up as they cool.
After baking, remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. This resting period is essential for the cookies to maintain their shape.
Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. Once cool, roll them in additional powdered sugar to create that snowy appearance.
Serve and enjoy these delightful treats with a warm beverage, or share them with friends and family to spread the holiday cheer!
Additional Information:
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: Approximately 24 cookies
Notes:
Make sure to use room temperature butter for a smoother mixture.
For extra flavor, feel free to add some chopped pecans or walnuts to the dough before rolling.
