Basic Gingerbread Cookies

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

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.

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.

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.

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.