Gingerbread, A Holiday Tradition

Food is always a such huge part of the holidays. We love gingerbread and like many, at our house it’s a Christmas tradition. You can make it from scratch, buy a variety of fun kits, or dare I say buy a roll of Pillsbury™ refrigerated gingerbread dough (which I actually like a lot). Check out some of the gingerbread treats we’ve been scoffing down this week getting us in the holiday spirit.

Fantastic Gingerbread House made by Kira Duckworth!

Gingerbread

 

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Author: food.com

Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3⁄4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3⁄4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
2. In a large bowl beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
3. Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well blended.
4. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
5. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 375 deg. Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
7. (Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but in this case it should be refrigerated. Return to room temp before using.) Preheat oven to 375°.
8. Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
9. Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
10. Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.
11. Roll dough to a scant ¼-inch thick.
12. Use additional flour to avoid sticking.
13. Cut out cookies with your favourite coolie cutters.
14. Space cookies 1½-inches apart.
15. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the less time the softer cookies).
16. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
17. Cool and decorate!
18. Brush them with a powdered sugar glaze or decorate with Royal icing.

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