old-fashioned gingerbread cookies

I love gingerbread! 
 
Whether it's a moist gingerbread loaf, tender cookies, or gingerbread holiday bars . . . there's just nothing that says "It's the holidays!" like gingerbread! 

I bake 9-inch TALL Gingerbread Cookies for my niece and nephews every year. I make extras for my little ones and friends, too.  

It's a simple, yet special, tradition that not only fills my house with the warm smell gingerbread, but these cute cookies bring smiles too! 

I've researched and sampled gingerbread cookie recipes over the years, and THIS ONE is my absolute favorite! It yields a very flavorful cookie that is moist and tender. They are incredibly delicious (and addicting)!  

For ease and good flavor, I decorate them with Almond Bark. I think white and vanilla chocolate are a wonderful compliment to gingerbread cookies!

So grab your holiday sprinkles and rolling pin . . . and bake a few Gingerbread Girls & Boys this holiday season! 

gingerbread cookies

bakes 10-20 cookies depending on size of cookie cutter
.     .     .     .     .     .
5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

4 teaspoons ground ginger

4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 sticks (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup packed dark-brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups unsulfured molasses

6 small blocks of Almond Bark, melted (found in the baking section of your local market)

.     .     .     .     .     .

Preparation
Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, and spices in a medium bowl.

Beat butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses. Reduce speed to low. 

Gradually add flour mixture, and beat until just combined. Divide dough into 3 portions, and wrap each in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

On a generously floured piece of parchment, roll dough to a scant 1/4 inch thick. Brush off excess flour. Slide dough and parchment onto baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.

Cut out desired shapes. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets, and freeze for 15 minutes.

Bake cookies for 12 minutes. 

Cookie TIPS . . . 
You'll notice that the cookies will be puffy when you take them out of the oven, but they will deflate a little as they cool. 

If you desire a flatter Gingerbread Cookie, then remove sheets from oven, and tap them firmly on counter to flatten the cookies. Return to oven, rotating sheets, and bake until crisp but not darkened, 4 to 6 minutes more. Let cool on sheets on wire racks.

Follow melting directions on the Almond Bark package, and spoon into a Wilton squeeze bottle, or spoon melted white candy into a pastry bag with a very small plain round tip (such as Ateco #0 or #1) to pipe designs onto the cookies.  You can also use a Ziploc bag. Let cookies stand at room temperature until set, at least 2 hours (preferably overnight). Cookies can be stored between layers of parchment in airtight containers for up to 1 week.

Here are a few of them 

wrapped in clear cellophane and tied with ribbon . . .

 

 Happy holiday baking!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

on Facebook

Sharing with . . . .

Stephanie Lynn, It's Overflowing, Twelve O Eight, Carrie This Home, Baking in Pajamas, Huckleberry Love, Dwellings, Smart Party Planning,  The Dedicated House, Mod Vintage Life, Lori's Culinary Creations, Home Stories, StoneGable, An Extraordinary Day, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, Between Naps on the Front Porch, Rustic Refined,  Tumbleweed Contessa, A Stroll Thru Life,, Life With Garnish. Elizabeth & Co,  My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, The Recipe Critic, Janine Huldie, Carolyn's Homework,  Fluster Buster   Designs by Miss Mandee,  Craftie Allie,  Wednesday morning The Blissful Bee,  The Newlywed Pilgrimage,  Chic California, Lamberts Lately, Live Laugh Rowe, Sweet Bella Roos, The Charm of Home, From My Front Porch to ours, Delightsome Life., Posed Perfection, Katherine's Corner, Nancherrow, The Freshman Cook,  Jann Olson, Home  Maid Simple, Anderson + Grant,  Rooted in Thyme, Everyday Enchanted Home, Pure Grace Farms A Dish of Daily Life, Bacon Time, Sunflower Supper Club, Tater Tots and Jello,  Cooking with Curls, Made from Pinterest, Simply Gloria

North Star sugar cookies . . . and a nativity scene

I am so excited to share this cookie project with you!

It was inspired by my desire to remind our children through this holiday season why we celebrate Christmas.

It's so easy to get caught up in the "I want . . . " this time of year, and forget that we need to spend these weeks and days leading up to Christmas preparing for the coming of Christ.

During this time of Advent, I enjoy reading books about the meaning of Christmas to our children . . . as well as engaging in other enjoyable activities like cookie decorating, holiday crafts, and baking.

  

I enjoyed sharing with them about the Star of Bethlehem, also known as the North Star and Christmas Star . . . and its significance to the Three Wise Men, or Magi, and the birth of Christ.

Although they are familiar with the story already, it was through an activity like this one that allowed me to share the beautiful story of Christmas again with our children.
 

 

Did you notice that I suspended one of the cookies from a string above the nativity?

I think it gives this well-known scene a visual exclamation mark . . . and I love that!

Here's how I did it . . . Using a large pin, I poked a hole into the top of the cookie and strung fishing line through it. I then secured it to a bare branch. The weight of the cookie gently tugged on the branch, which I positioned over the nativity.

This cookie-inspired nativity turned out better than I had imagined!

Although you don't see The Three Wise Men in the photo, they weren't too far away; each of my little ones was holding one of them while I took these photos. 

Although I created this serene scene for, and with, my children . . . I think that it would be a beautiful scene for any holiday gathering. You can individually wrap/bag the cookies and invite guests to take one home . . . and then they, too, can take home a small piece of the Christmas story.

 

sugar cookies

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .   

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoons baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

12 Tablespoons (1 ½  sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 egg, room temperature

 powder sugar (instead of flour) for rolling out dough
.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .    

Preparation

To make the cookies, in a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt . . . set aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the flat beater, beat the butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Reduce the speed to low and add the flour mixture in three additions, scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. Mix until just combined.

Form the dough into a flattened ball, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or as long as overnight.

Preheat an oven to 350°F.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. 

On a lightly floured powder sugar surface, roll out the dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters, cut out desired shapes. Transfer to the prepared baking sheets, spacing cookies about 2 inches apart, and bake until just golden around the edges, 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the cookies. Transfer the pans to wire racks and let cool for 5 minutes, then remove the cookies from the pans and let cool completely.

Makes 60 3-inch North Star cookies.

I bought the North Star cookie cutter from here.

 

Sugar Cookie GLAZE

2 ¼  cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

1 Tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

.     .     .     .     .     .     .     .     .

Combine ingredients and mix until smooth
Using a small paint brush (or the tip of your finger), spread on top of cookies

Sprinkle sanding sugar on top of GLAZE when it's wet

The secret to a 'clean' sugar edge is not letting the glaze drip down the sides of the cookie.

A thick glaze is also key.

After the glaze has been mixed, add 1 Tablespoon of confectioners' sugar at a time, 

until you get the desired consistency.

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

 on Facebook

.      .      .      .      .

& Pinterest

Thank you for stopping by!

I love reading your comments and appreciate them so much!

holiday (cream cheese) sugar cookies

One of my happiest childhood memories was decorating sugar cookies at my Aunt Jeanie and Uncle Don's house.  My sisters, cousin, and I would gather around their dining room table at Easter and Christmas for fun, laughter, holiday music, and dozens and dozens of cookies just waiting to be frosted and adorned with sprinkles. 

Besides the fun of decorating them . . . between my two sisters and I ~ we would bring home upwards of 40 cookies. And since I've always been a BIG fan of sugar cookies . . . this was a dream come true (smile)! 

I thought I would bring this joyous tradition into my home for my kids.  With a 14 year age gap between my first and second child, I feel a great responsibility to create fun and memorable opportunities for my kids to connect and make memories TOGETHER. 

We had a fun afternoon . . . and I hope we're able to gather again in the Spring to decorate Easter themed cookies! You're never too old to explore your creative culinary side! 

Although I LOVE the basic sugar cookie . . . I need to share this GREAT recipe twist with you. Yes, these are holiday sugar cookies . . . but they're much more than a simple sugar cookie. They're a CREAM CHEESE Sugar Cookie . . . tender and flavorful with flecks of orange zest and cinnamon. Add a sweet cream cheese frosting, and they're downright YUMMY!

It's never too early, or too late, to start a new family tradition.  I hope these recipes help you make new ones with your family!

Orange Cinnamon (cream cheese) SUGAR Cut-out Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen (4-inch) cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon orange zest

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon cinnamon

3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, or until fluffy. Add sugar and brown sugar to butter mixture, beating at low speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until combined. Increase speed to medium-high. Beat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until fluffy. Add eggs, orange zest, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, beating to combine.

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

Add flour to mixture, 1 cup at a time, beating at low speed to combine.

Increase speed to medium, and beat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until combined.

Divide dough in half. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until firm.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness.

Cut into desired shapes, re-rolling dough once, if necessary. Place on prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

Allow to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.

Cream Cheese Icing

Makes about 3 cups

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

5 cups confectioners' sugar

1 Tablespoon heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer for 3 to 4 minutes, or until fluffy. Add confectioners' sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating at low speed to combine. 

Add cream and vanilla, beating at medium-high speed until combined.

Add coloring and beat until thoroughly combined.

~ Hmmmm . . . decisions, decisions ~

~ Charley's decorated cookies! ~

~ I LOVE that she put a HAPPY FACE on everything!~ 

 

 ~ Ford is working hard on his sugar man ~

~ My oldest son's (Nick) finished cookies! ~

~ the more the merrier ~

~ Nick's girl-friend, Megan, joined us for cookie decorating too ~

You don't need fancy decorating tools to make pretty cookies!

All you need is family, friends, and the desire to have a good time!

Happy baking!!

LET'S STAY in touch!

Simply Suzannes at Home

on Facebook

Sharing with . . .

Rain on a Tin Roof, A Stroll Thru Life, CedarHill Ranch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Mod Vintage Life, Savvy Southern Style, City Farm House, Elizabeth and Co, Chef in Training, The Recipe Critic, Our Home Away From Home, Finding Fabulous, Ashley's Dandelion Wishes, The Style Sisters, Fluster Buster, Lamberts Lately, StoneGable, Katherine's Corner, Live Laugh Rowe, Jann Olson, From My Front Porch to Yours, The Newleywed Pilgrimage, Pink Recipe Box, French Country Cottage, Posed Perfection, Becoming Martha, The Cottage Market, 504 Main, House of Rose, Tater Tots and Jello, Chic on a Shoestring, Designs by Gollum, Brambleberry Cottage, A Delightsome Life, Jennifer Rizzo, Cooking with Curls, Your Homebased Mom, A Little Claireification, What's Cooking With Ruthie, Suburbs Mama, Serenity Now, 52 Mantels, Rain on a Tin Roof, The Tablescaper, Lady Behind the Curtain,  Sunflower Supper Club, Sensational Creations, The Velvet Moon Baker, With a Blast, Living Better Together, Simply Dream and Create, Tumbleweed Contessa, Tater Tots and Jello, Made from Pinterest, Boogieboard Cottage, Too Much Time, Simply Gloria, Twigg Studios,Flamingo Toes, Carrie This Home, Sweet Sav, The Heart of Your Home, Creatively Living, Common Ground, Twelve O Eight, Home Coming, Finding Silver Pennies, My Heart Lives Here