Save A festive and interactive cookie kit featuring soft gingerbread cookies, colorful icings, and assorted candies perfect for holiday gatherings or creative baking fun.
This kit brought so much joy to my family holiday tradition as everyone, young and old, enjoyed decorating their own gingerbread people.
Ingredients
- Gingerbread Cookies: 2 3/4 cups (345 g) all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp ground ginger, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground cloves, 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 cup (170 g) unsalted butter softened, 2/3 cup (130 g) dark brown sugar packed, 1 large egg, 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsulfured molasses, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Royal Icing: 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar sifted, 2 tbsp meringue powder, 3 4 tbsp water, Food coloring gels (red, green, blue, yellow as desired)
- Decorations: Assorted candies (mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops, etc.)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses, and vanilla mix until combined.
- Step 3:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide in half flatten into disks wrap in plastic and chill for at least 1 hour.
- Step 4:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Step 5:
- Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes place on prepared sheets.
- Step 6:
- Bake 10 12 minutes or until edges are set. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Step 7:
- For royal icing whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder. Add water gradually to reach piping consistency. Divide and tint with food coloring as desired.
- Step 8:
- Arrange cookies bowls of icing and assorted candies on a large board or platter.
- Step 9:
- Invite everyone to decorate their own gingerbread people with icing and candies!
Save Sharing this decorating activity became a cherished family moment as laughter and creativity filled the room.
Required Tools
Mixing bowls Electric mixer Rolling pin Gingerbread people cookie cutters Baking sheets Parchment paper Cooling rack Icing piping bags or squeeze bottles Spatulas
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (gluten) eggs and dairy (butter). Some candies may contain nuts or soy always check ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information
Calories 225 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 2 g per decorated cookie estimated
Save This gingerbread decorating board will make your holiday celebrations joyful and delicious.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I achieve soft gingerbread cookies?
Baking the gingerbread cookies for 10 minutes yields a softer texture while longer baking results in crisper edges. Proper chilling of the dough also helps maintain softness.
- → What gives the gingerbread its warm flavor?
A blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg imparts a rich, aromatic warmth to the gingerbread dough.
- → How should the royal icing be prepared?
Whisk powdered sugar and meringue powder, then gradually add water until the icing reaches a pipeable consistency. Tint with food coloring as desired.
- → Can the decorated pieces be stored?
Decorated gingerbread can be kept in an airtight container for up to one week to maintain freshness and icing hardness.
- → Are there tools needed for decorating?
Essential tools include piping bags or squeeze bottles for icing, along with spatulas and cookie cutters shaped like gingerbread people.