If you adore warm spices mixed with rich brown sugar sweetness, you are going to fall head over heels for this Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe. These cookies boast a tender crumb bursting with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and a touch of cardamom, delivering a cozy, inviting flavor in every bite. What makes this recipe truly special is how each cookie is beautifully stamped with a charming pattern, adding a delightful personal touch that’s perfect for gifting or savoring with a cup of tea. If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy cookie experience, this recipe checks every box with its fragrant aroma and wonderfully soft but sturdy texture.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe uses a handful of simple, thoughtfully selected ingredients that work together beautifully to create a cookie that’s both flavorful and perfectly textured. Every element plays a vital role—from the warm spices that infuse each bite with autumnal vibes to the brown sugar and molasses that deepen the sweetness and keep the cookies irresistibly soft.
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled): The sturdy base for your cookies, providing structure and the perfect surface for stamping.
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda: Helps with a gentle rise and soft texture.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and enhances the complex spice flavors.
- 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings warmth and aromatic depth.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds subtle nutty undertones.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger: Introduces a zingy, spicy note that brightens the flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom: A subtle floral spice that adds an exotic twist.
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened: Provides richness and tenderness to the cookies.
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar: Adds moist sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
- 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar: Creates a slight crunch and balances the moistness.
- 1 Tablespoon unsulphured molasses (or maple syrup/honey): Enhances the depth of sweetness and helps keep cookies soft.
- 1 large egg: Binds ingredients and gives the dough elasticity.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors with a smooth, sweet aroma.
How to Make Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom in a medium bowl. This step blends all the aromatic spices evenly throughout the flour, ensuring your cookies will have consistent flavor in every bite. Setting this mixture aside means you’ll be ready to combine wet and dry ingredients smoothly.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy and light, about 3 minutes. This process incorporates air into the dough, helping to create tender cookies with a wonderful texture. Remember to scrape down the bowl sides to keep everything mixed perfectly.
Step 3: Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla
Next, add the molasses (or your maple syrup or honey alternative), room temperature egg, and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat them together on high speed for about one minute until fully combined. This step enriches the dough with moisture and flavor complexity, which makes these cookies extra special.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients, Chill Dough
Turn your mixer to low speed and gradually add the flour-spice mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Then cover your dough and refrigerate it for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 days. Chilling is essential because it firms up the dough—making it easier to handle and bringing out the warm spice flavors beautifully during baking.
Step 5: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line your baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. This creates a perfect non-stick surface for your cookies to bake evenly and ensures easy cleanup.
Step 6: Roll, Stamp, and Bake
Using about 1 tablespoon (20g) of chilled dough for each cookie, roll them into balls, even if the dough seems crumbly—it will come together as you roll. Place the dough balls 3 inches apart on your prepared sheets. Dip your cookie stamp lightly into flour before pressing it firmly into the top of each cookie, gently flattening the dough to nearly the edges of the stamp. Lift the stamp straight up. Bake the cookies for about 13 minutes, until their edges are set and fragrant.
Step 7: Cool and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, allow the cookies to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes—this helps them firm up a little more—then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The aroma filling your kitchen will have you reaching for more before they’re even cooled!
How to Serve Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
While these cookies are perfectly delicious on their own, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a delicate drizzle of melted white chocolate adds elegance and an extra touch of sweetness. You can also sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon sugar on top right after stamping for a sparkly cinnamon crunch that makes them extra festive.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a warm cup of chai tea, hot chocolate, or even a robust coffee. The spicy notes in the cookies complement these drinks perfectly, creating a cozy snack or dessert pairing that’s ideal for chilly afternoons and holiday gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies are stunning when arranged in a rustic wooden box lined with parchment paper and tied with twine for gifts. Layer them with wax paper to keep them fresh and display their stamped designs beautifully. You might also serve them on dessert plates alongside thin slices of sharp aged cheddar cheese for an unexpected but delicious flavor contrast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your baked Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. This keeps them soft and chewy while protecting their lovely stamped pattern from smudging or breaking.
Freezing
If you want to make these cookies ahead of time, the dough freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Freeze the dough balls before stamping by placing them on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. You can also freeze baked cookies for up to 3 months by wrapping them tightly to preserve freshness.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen baked cookies like freshly baked, warm them briefly in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5 minutes. This gently revives their soft texture and releases their aromatic spices once again. Avoid microwaving as it can make the cookies tough.
FAQs
Can I use all brown sugar instead of mixing granulated sugar?
Absolutely! Using all brown sugar will give your cookies a moister texture and a deeper molasses flavor, but the slight crunch from granulated sugar adds a nice contrast in the original recipe.
What if I don’t have a cookie stamp?
No worries! You can flatten your cookie dough balls gently with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar or flour. Alternatively, use a fork to create a simple pattern or leave them as classic round cookies—they’ll still be delicious.
Is it okay to substitute the molasses with honey or maple syrup?
Yes, both honey and maple syrup are great alternatives that provide a similar moisture and sweetness. Molasses has a bit more robust flavor, so your cookies may vary slightly but still taste fantastic.
Why do I need to chill the dough for so long?
Chilling firms up the dough so the cookies hold their shape and stamping impressions well during baking. It also allows the flavors to meld perfectly, resulting in a more pronounced spice profile.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
You can try substituting the flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that’s designed for baking. Keep in mind results may vary, especially with stamping, so it might take some trial and error to get the perfect texture.
Final Thoughts
These Stamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe cookies are a true labor of love that brings warmth and joy with every bite. Whether you’re baking for yourself, friends, or family, their gorgeous stamped pattern and rich flavors will surely impress and delight everyone lucky enough to try them. I encourage you to give this recipe a try, embrace the cozy spices, and make your kitchen smell like the best part of the holiday season any time of year.
PrintStamped Cinnamon Brown Sugar Cookies Recipe
These stamped cinnamon brown sugar cookies are soft, flavorful, and beautifully embossed with a decorative stamp. Infused with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom, these cookies have a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. The dough is easy to prepare, chilled for optimal texture, then stamped and baked to golden perfection, creating a delightful treat ideal for the holidays or any cozy occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 28 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: About 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled), plus extra as needed for stamping
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup (65g) granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) unsulphured or dark molasses, maple syrup, or honey
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom in a medium bowl until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside for later use.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar together on medium-high speed until the mixture is creamy and smooth, about 3 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
- Add Molasses, Egg, and Vanilla: Add the molasses, egg, and vanilla extract to the creamed butter and sugar, then mix on high speed until fully combined, about 1 minute. Scrape down the bowl again if needed to incorporate all ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined to form the dough. Be careful not to overmix.
- Chill Dough: Cover the dough tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, up to 4 days. If chilling longer than a few hours, let the dough sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling to make it easier to handle.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheets: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
- Roll and Stamp Cookies: Portion out 1 tablespoon (20g) of chilled dough per cookie and roll each into a ball. Although the dough may feel crumbly at first, it will come together as you roll. Space dough balls 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Firmly press a cookie stamp down onto each dough ball to create the decorative imprint. If dough sticks to the stamp, lightly dust the stamp with flour before pressing.
- Bake Cookies: Bake in the preheated oven until cookie edges are set and cookies are golden around the edges, about 13 minutes.
- Cool Cookies: Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Store: Store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: Dough can be chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days before baking.
- Baked cookies freeze well for up to 3 months when stored in an airtight container.
- Unbaked cookie dough balls can also be frozen for up to 3 months; thaw fully at room temperature before stamping and baking as directed.
- If cookie dough is difficult to stamp after chilling, let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly.
