There’s nothing quite like the smell of warm, baking gingerbread cookies or the nostalgia most of us feel when looking at a decorative gingerbread house. Check out these tips to perfecting your holiday gingerbread.
Cookbook author Mima Sinclair is here to save the day. That is, when you’re feeling stressed this holiday season and want to be sure you have the perfect dessert baked and your table looks perfectly festive, her gingerbread cookbook from 2015 has all the answers. Gingerbread Wonderland: 30 Magical Houses, Cookies, and Cakes is full or templates, new ideas, and delicious recipes that will keep you happy and things feeling like a winter wonderland.
Here are some basic things to remember when making gingerbread:
-The more mild the dough, the lighter in color. If you are looking for a stronger, spicier gingerbread, your dough should look darker and should use a dark or blackstrap molasses. Also, be sure to use newly purchased spices. The older the spices in your cupboards are, the less flavorful your gingerbread will be.
-Short on time? Make your dough ahead when you are free and store in the fridge until you are ready to bake fresh cookies.
-Be careful not to overmix your dough, otherwise you will have a tough cookie.
-Always, always chill your dough before rolling it our or cutting it into shapes!
How to Make Perfect Gingerbread Dough
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 dough 1x
Description
Perfecting holiday gingerbread dough is a breeze with this method from Mima Sinclair
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup light molasses (golden syrup, or honey)
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 14 tablespoons 1 stick + 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- zest of 1 lemon
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 lightly beaten large free-range egg
Instructions
- Pour the light molasses into a large saucepan with the sugar, butter, zest, and spices and melt over low/ medium heat, stirring frequently until the sugar has dissolved.
- Increase the heat to bring the mixture to boiling point. Remove from the heat and beat in the baking soda. The mixture will froth up at this point as the baking soda reacts—mix briefly until combined, then let cool for 15 minutes.
- Sift the flour and salt, then fold into the mixture in batches, using a wooden spoon or a stand mixer. Beat in the egg using a wooden spoon or a stand mixer, until just combined. Do not overwork the mixture, or the cookies will spread during baking.
- The dough will be very sticky to begin with, but do not add any flour. Scrape out of the bowl onto a clean surface and knead together until just smooth. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Baking, christmas, Cookies
- Cuisine: American, Scandinavian-inspired
