Iced Ginger Cookies

These easy iced ginger cookies are soft and chewy with a spicy-sweet cinnamon flavor you can enjoy any time of year; frost for extra flavor.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 252 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (16 ounce) package confectioners' sugar
• 1 pinch sea salt, or to taste
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 cup butter, melted
• 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.25 cup butter, softened
• 0.25 cup half-and-half
• 0.5 cup white sugar
• 0.75 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.75 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 0.5 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 0.25 cup evaporated milk
• 0.5 cup unsulfured molasses
• 2.25 cups all-purpose flour, or as needed
• 0.5 (11 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat® baking mat.

Step 2

Combine sugar, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Add molasses, melted butter, evaporated milk, and vanilla extract and mix well. Add flour, stirring constantly, 1 cup at a time until just combined. Add up to 1/4 cup of additional flour if dough is too sticky.

Step 3

Place spoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Flatten the dough with floured fingertips to about 1/4-inch thickness.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven until cookies are lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a rack and cool completely before frosting, at least 30 minutes.

Step 5

Combine caramels and half-and-half in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until caramels are completely melted and the sauce is blended, about 10 minutes.

Step 6

Frost cooled cookies with the frosting, drizzle with the caramel sauce, and sprinkle with sea salt.

Step 7

Beat cream cheese and 1/4 cup butter together in a bowl using an electric mixer until well blended. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla extract. Beat frosting until creamy.