Gingerbread cookies are definitely one of my family’s favorite Christmas cookies! Not only are they delicious, but the smell of all the spices just warms up the house and makes it feel so Christmas-y! I like to add a little extra kick with candied ginger, but you can omit this ingredient if you’re making these for little kids who might not like the extra spice. Alexander’s favorite part is decorating them, so don’t forget to whip up a batch of Royal Icing to decorate these. Get creative and have fun! They don’t have to just be “gingerbread men.” I like to switch it up with gingerbread angels along with the typical gingerbread men.

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 Cups Flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/4 teaspoons allspice
• 1/4 teaspoons cloves
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger
• 3/4 Cups white sugar
• 3/4 Cups dark brown sugar
• 2 Tablespoons chopped candied ginger
• 1 egg
• 1/4 Cup unsulfured molasses

1. In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, all spice, cloves and cinnamon.
2. In your kitchen-aid mixer or with your stand mixer, cream your butter and sugars together.
3. Incorporate in candied ginger.
4. Add flour mixture slowly. It will take a few minutes to get it all mixed together.
5. Split the dough into 2 portions and wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
6. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
7. Let dough sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.
8. Roll out down on a floured surface.
9. Cut with cookie cutters. If dough gets too warm, pop it into the freezer for a few minutes and continue.
10. Bake for 9 minutes. Adjust accordingly. Bake longer for crisp cookies, shorter for soft. Cookies will become more crisp the longer they sit….so just eat them all the first day if you like them softer. hehe ;) just kidding!

Royal Icing Recipe. {This is a double recipe. Feel free to cut in half.}

• 4 Cups of Powdered Sugar
• 4 Tablespoons Meringue Powder
• 6 Tablespoons of Water {you can add more if needed to thin out.}
• Vanilla extract

1. In your mixer on low speed add all ingredients and mix.
2. Continue mixing at a slightly increased speed until soft peaks form. (takes about 10 minutes)
3. Add vanilla or whatever flavoring you want and food coloring at the end.

*Make sure to keep the Royal Icing covered tightly with plastic wrap, because it will harden when the air hits it.

**Don’t forget to let the icing completely harden {which usually takes several hours at least.} before packaging up. Especially if you’re giving them as gifts, because the icing will get all messed up :(

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and if you make them, don’t forget to let me know. I’d love to hear what you think! Also, if you post pictures of them, tag me so I can see!

Christmas Blessings!

xo,

Elizabeth