You cannot tell it’s Christmas in your house until you bake something (or decorate a tree, or wrap up the presents…who knows…). Today is a recipe post. I’m so excited. I’ve already posted one cookie recipe here. But for Christmas I have something cuter and more festive – gingerbread men! I’ve been on a hunt for good and easy recipe for quite sometime. Finally the day has come and I’m here to reveal the secret.
So you will need:
for dough: 3 cups (390 grams) all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar 1 large egg 2/3 cup (160 ml) unsulphured molasses for frosting: 2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons milk or light cream
In a large bowl mix dry ingredients – flour, salt, baking soda, and spices.
In other bowl beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy – you may do it with stand or hand mixer or like I did it – by hand.
Add the egg and molasses and beat until well combined then gradually add the flour mixture beating until uniform. Dough is done – divide it in half, wrap in a plastic wrap separately and refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours or I left it overnight).
Preheat oven to 177 degrees C and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 0.5 cm. Use a gingerbread cutter (or any Christmas themed – trees, bells) to cut out the cookies. Place them about 3 cm apart. Put them for about 1- minutes in the fridge to prevent the cookies from losing their shape.
Bake for about 8 -12 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. They are done when they are firm and the edges are just beginning to brown. Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool completely.
You may eat them the way they are, but I want to decorate then with frosting – the look prettier and… frosting is yummy after all.
For frosting beat the butter until smooth, add vanilla extract (you may skip on that one if you want) and beat in powered sugar. Add milk or cream and beat until it is fluffy and airy. Place the frosting in a pastry bag and decorate the gingerbread men as desired.
The cookies are delicious. Great with coffee or milk or even on its own. They are really really good.
Send me the pictures on Twitter if you try out this recipe. Okay, I’m off to eat some cookies and I’ll see you tomorrow with another Christmas post!
-S
Sweet Bounty 