Gingerbread cookies
Gingerbread Cookies - a festive recipe that brings the magic of Christmas in every bite. These aromatic cookies, with an intense flavor of cinnamon and ginger, are perfect to be enjoyed with a cup of warm tea or to be given as Christmas gifts. Here’s how you can prepare them step by step for the most delicious results.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooling time: 2-3 hours
Baking time: 7-10 minutes
Total: 2-3 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: Approximately 30 cookies
Ingredients:
- 350 g all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 100 g soft butter (room temperature)
- 1 large egg
- 4 tablespoons liquid honey
- 120 g brown sugar
- Optional: 1 teaspoon vanilla, zest of one lemon (grated)
Ingredients for decoration:
- 120 g powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- A few drops of lemon juice
- Food coloring (optional)
- Decorating pens (optional)
Step 1: Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Mix well with a spatula to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed. These spices will give your cookies an unforgettable taste, perfect for the cold season.
In another bowl, use a mixer on low speed to cream the soft butter. Add the brown sugar and continue mixing for 2-3 minutes until the mixture becomes fluffy. Incorporate the egg, liquid honey, vanilla, and lemon zest, mixing well until combined.
Step 2: Forming the dough
Start adding the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing constantly until a soft dough forms. It’s normal for the dough to be slightly sticky. Form a ball from the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. This step is essential as it helps to firm up the dough, making it easier to roll out.
Step 3: Rolling out the dough
After the cooling time has passed, take the dough out of the refrigerator. Divide it into two parts for easier handling. Sprinkle the work surface with a little flour and use a rolling pin to roll out the first half of the dough until you achieve a thin sheet about 1 cm thick. Make sure the rolling pin is floured to prevent sticking.
Step 4: Cutting the cookies
Use the desired cookie cutters to cut out cookies from the rolled dough and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. The leftover dough can be mixed with the other half and rolled out again, repeating the process until all cookies are cut. Bake them in a preheated oven at 170°C for 7-10 minutes. Note: Do not leave them too long, as they can dry out and become hard.
Step 5: Cooling and decorating
After baking, let the cookies cool on a cooling rack. Meanwhile, you can prepare the icing: mix the powdered sugar with vanilla and lemon juice until you get a smooth and shiny paste. If the icing is too thick, you can add a little lemon juice. Add food coloring to achieve the desired shades and decorate the cookies as you like.
Serving suggestions and variations:
You can serve these cookies warm, alongside a cup of tea or hot chocolate. You can also add chopped nuts or chocolate to the cookie dough for an even more decadent variation. Another idea is to share them with family and friends, beautifully packaging them in decorative boxes.
Gingerbread cookies are not only a simple recipe but also a wonderful way to bring the holiday spirit into your home. Try this recipe and enjoy the authentic flavors of Christmas!
Ingredients: 350 g all-purpose flour, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 100 g softened butter, 1 large egg, 4 tablespoons liquid honey, 120 g brown sugar, optional: vanilla, lemon zest (1 teaspoon each). You will need a rolling pin and cookie cutters. For decoration: 120 g powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, a few drops of lemon juice, food coloring, or decorating pens.
Tags: christmas gingerbread flour unt
