MINI SERIES - Twelve Recipes of Christmas - Recipe #8: Grandma J's Gingerbread Cookies
Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the kitchen is so delightful, of a place to make memories grow, let it snow let it snow let it snow! Okay - so it is now August and I am behind on my blog updates and catching everyone up on the "Twelve Recipes of Christmas" posts from Christmas 2020! All I would like to say at this time (as many of you probably share this sentiment) is that life happens, and we can only take the challenges we are given, pick ourselves up, and start again! I am determined to get all these recipes posted so I can make "live" / on-time updates in my blog!
Many of us have that one special and magical recipe which brings back all the warmth happy memories of a special magical Christmas time. For me, that is my Grandma's Gingerbread cookies. It became a tradition for my sister and I to make gingerbread cookies with our grandma each holiday season. They became so iconic that it was a ritual to go to her house and sometimes even bring along a gaggle of friends to partake in the tom-foolery and laughter. This recipe is for "Rolled" Gingerbread cookies, which means they can be any "shape" or "design" one wishes. Cookie cutters make it easy to make a variety of shapes which typically equates to lots of fun! One year, our "Gingerbread people" had more rounded bellies so we decorated them to be Ginger-Mutant Ninja Turtles! (If I come across this image, I will be sure to update this post with a picture!!!)
One fond memory is my sister having her friends over to our grandma's house to make these infamous cookies - but when they started to roll out the dough it looked significantly different and needless to say they quickly realized they missed out some important ingredients!
To this day, the tradition continues in my sister's family, making gingerbread cookies with her kiddos, and my husband and I continue to make at least one batch each year. I am really excited to share this one with you all!
Let's begin bringing the warmth with the spices! To the flour, add your warm spices and mix together well!
In a separate bowl (or I use and recommend using a mixer), you are going to want to combine the wet ingredients - start with beating together the butter and brown sugar.
Add in the molasses and beat until combined. At this point I am sure you're taste buds are salivating with the aroma of the rich molasses and sugar scents!
Once all the wet ingredients have been well beaten and combined together it is time to slowly mix in the flour mixture.
At this point, the dough will begin to thicken so I recommend hand mixing until well incorporated. You will then want to divide the dough in half, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
Now it is time to bring the heat and get creative! Preheat the oven to 375 and flour a counter surface to roll out your dough.
Roll out portions of the dough to 1/4" thickness.
Now you get to have fun with cutting out shapes and place them on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Be sure to keep the cookies 2" apart on the baking sheet.
Easiest part - once your cookie sheet has been filled bake the cookies for 7-8 minutes until just barely noticeably darker on the edges. Now it is time to let cool completely so you can get creative and DECORATE!
As our grandma would say, it's time to "have a party!" - Gingerbread parties are the best and will definitely make a fun, happy, and exciting tradition for you and your loved ones. I hope this recipe brings you as much happiness, joy, and Christmas spirit as it has for our family!
If you try this recipe, please share your creations with me!
NEXT EPISODE - MINI SERIES CONT.: Twelve Recipes of Christmas #9 Mother-In-Law's Simple Chili
GRANDMA JEANIE'S GINGERBREAD COOKIES
Ingredients:
2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp ground cloves 2/3 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. packed brown sugar 1/2 c. molasses 1 egg
3 c. flour
Directions:
1.) Stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and cloves - set aside.
2.) Beat butter in a large bowl with mixer at high speed for 30 seconds.
3.) Add brown sugar and molasses. Beat until combined.
4.) Beat in egg.
5.) Mix in flour mixture.
6.) Divide dough in half, cover and chill for 3 hours.
7.) Preheat oven to 375.
8.) Roll portions of dough 1/4" thickness on a well floured surface.
9.) Cut out shapes and place on lightly greased cookie sheet, 2" apart.
10.) Bake 7-8 minutes, cool, then decorate.
No comments:
Post a Comment