Whimsical holiday spread with gingerbread cookies, spiced dips, candies, and charming decorative treats.
# What You'll Need:
→ Gingerbread Cookies
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/2 cup molasses
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
07 - 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 tsp ground cloves
09 - 1/2 tsp nutmeg
10 - 1 tsp baking soda
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Royal Icing
12 - 2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 1 large egg white or 2 tbsp aquafaba (egg-free)
14 - 1/2 tsp lemon juice
15 - Food coloring (optional)
→ Dips & Spreads
16 - 1 cup vanilla yogurt
17 - 2 tbsp honey
18 - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
19 - 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
→ Assorted Sweets & Decorations
20 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
21 - 1/2 cup assorted gumdrops
22 - 1/2 cup chocolate buttons or coins
23 - 1/2 cup peppermint candies
24 - 1/2 cup pretzel sticks
25 - 1/2 cup candy canes, broken into small pieces
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to shape dough into houses, trees, stars, and village elements. Arrange shaped dough on parchment-lined baking sheets.
03 - Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are firm. Remove from oven and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
04 - Beat powdered sugar, egg white or aquafaba, and lemon juice until smooth and glossy. Divide and tint with optional food coloring. Transfer icing to piping bags for decorating.
05 - Use royal icing and assorted candies to decorate cooled gingerbread cookies, forming village houses and trees. Allow icing to set before assembling the board.
06 - Mix vanilla yogurt, honey, and ground cinnamon until well combined in a small bowl.
07 - Arrange gingerbread cookies, yogurt dip, chocolate hazelnut spread, and assorted sweets on a large platter or board. Use pretzel sticks and mini marshmallows to create fencing and snow effects. Add candies for decorative touches, building a festive holiday village scene.
