Basic Gingerbread Cookies

Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 2 baking trays.

Step 2
Sift flour, ginger, and baking soda together into a large bowl. Add butter chunks and stir until they are coated with flour. Mix the butter and flour together with your hands until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.

Step 3
Whisk white and brown sugars, maple syrup, egg, and oil together in a small bowl until combined. Add to flour mixture and knead until a ball of dough forms, adding water, if needed.

Step 4
Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness, cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters, and place on the prepared cookie sheets. Repeat until you have used all the dough.

Step 5
Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cookies cool on sheets for 5 minutes, then remove to a wire rack.