How to Soften Gingerbread Cookies? [Simple Tricks]
Gingerbread cookies are supposed to be a delicious combination of crunchy and chewy. The texture depends on the right amount of ingredients, such as molasses, yeast, sugar, or fat. Whether you baked or bought these biscuits in a store, they can get hard over time. So how to soften gingerbread cookies?
To soften gingerbread cookies, you can either microwave them, add a piece of bread in the jar, store them with a damp towel, or wrap them up after baking. If you apply these methods correctly, you will achieve the long-lasting softness your cookies were missing. Also, you can always dip them in milk for a few seconds.
In the following paragraphs, I will explain how to use these tricks correctly and enjoy your gingerbread cookies with every bite.
Microwave Hard Gingerbread Cookies
Microwaving gingerbread cookies will make them soft quickly. To do so, you must wrap them in a damp towel before heating them.
But before that, you will need dishes suitable for high temperatures. Consider using a ceramic or a glass dish for the cookies because a metal plate or pan may heat them up faster than necessary. Once you wrap the cookies and place the dish in a microwave, set it up for 15-20 seconds, and that should do the trick.
If you wish to kick it up a notch, add a glass or a cup of water in a microwave. It will create more steam and make cookies even softer.
This method is a great idea if you eat cookies immediately. However, it will become even harder once the gingerbread gets cold after reheating.
When using this method, avoid using the oven instead of the microwave. It takes more time to achieve a high temperature and will only further dry out the cookies.
Add a Piece of Bread to a Cookie Jar
You can soften gingerbread cookies by placing them in a jar with a slice of fresh bread. For this method, you can also use a plastic container. Just make sure it has an airtight lid.
Lay out the slice of white bread on the bottom of a container or a jar and pile up gingerbread cookies. Close cookies so no air can come through and leave them like that for 12-24 hours. During that time, cookies will absorb moisture from the bread and become perfectly soft.
If they are still hard after a day in a container, you can add a new slice of bread and keep them in a jar for another 5-6 hours. This way, you will ensure your gingerbread cookies stay soft for days.
Store Cookies With a Damp Towel Wrapped in Aluminum Foil
Instead of bread, consider storing gingerbread cookies in an airtight container with a damp towel wrapped in aluminum foil.
Before you wrap up the towel, poke tiny holes across the foil. It will help moisture transfer from the towel to the cookies slowly. To ensure the foil doesn’t rip, use a sewing needle or some similar tool.
After that, pile cookies up in the container, cover them with them, and seal everything up. Keep the cookies like that overnight. If they are still hard after that, you can repeat the process by adding a new towel for a few more hours.
The towel should never be soaked wet and should not stay in a container longer than necessary. If you forget to remove it on time, your cookies might start to mold.
Wrap up Gingerbread Cookies After Baking
Wrapping up gingerbread cookies is a sure way to keep them soft for a long time. I recommend you do this after baking. This will allow them to let the steam out slowly and preserve the moisture necessary to keep that chewy texture you are looking for.
You can wrap each cookie individually with aluminum foil. If you are on a tight schedule, you can also cover the entire pan or plate.
If your cookies are getting hard right after you get them out of the oven, you can also try covering the pan with a damp kitchen towel. To avoid cookies becoming too gooey, you should leave some space between them and a towel. So, if you bake cookies in a deeper pan, you can simply place the towel over it.
Dip Gingerbread Cookie in Milk
Like any biscuit, gingerbread cookies are best served with milk. If your cookies get too hard, this is the easiest remedy. Take a glass of warm milk, dip the cookie in it for a few seconds and enjoy a soft and savory bite.
Opt for warm cocoa instead of plain milk if you want an even sweeter snack.
Dunk Gingerbread Cookies in Coffee
One of the best holiday breakfast ideas is gingerbread cookies, so why not serve them with a usual breakfast drink – coffee? The sweetness from cookies will complement coffee’s bitterness. Just serve them together and enjoy a cozy morning!
