Gingerbread People

Good evening foodies! I chose this recipe because it's one of those traditional Christmas and holiday recipes. I'm obligated to do something completely traditional every now and again. If not, I would be a Grinch, and Ebenezer Scrooge. I would be the Anti-Clause. No, not really, but I wouldn't think to do a 25 Days of Christmas Recipes without this recipe. Yes folks, we will be making gingerbread men. If you are one of those people who prefer both gingerbread men AND women, that's perfectly acceptable as well. You can decorate them as you please. We shouldn't discriminate against gingerbread cookies. Maybe we should call them gingerbread people instead? That sounds good to me. Are we ready to create some gingerbread people? I am. I'll meet you in the kitchen!

☃On the eleventh day of Christmas recipes, your hostess gave to you☃

Gingerbread People

Yields 40 Cookies

You will need:

For the Gingerbread People:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups flour
• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Royal Icing:

• 1 tablespoon meringue powder
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 to 5 tablespoons of water
• red & green food coloring

Ready?

1. For the Gingerbread People: In a large saucepan, stir together sugar, molasses, water, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. 
2. Bring the mixture to a boil and stir until sugar dissolves. 
3. Remove from the heat and add butter. 
4. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted and incorporated. 
5. Let cool for 15 minutes.
6. In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. 
7. Stir the flour mixture into the molasses mixture (after it’s cooled) with a wooden spoon. 
8. Mix until combined.
9. Place dough into a gallon sized Ziploc bag and flatten the dough evenly into one sheet. 
10. Refrigerate overnight.
11. The next day, preheat oven to 375 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. 
12. Prepare a clean, flat surface with a light dusting of flour. 
13. Working with 1/4 of the dough at a time, roll dough to a 1/4-inch thickness, adding flour as needed. 
14. With a floured cookie cutter, cut dough into desired shapes. 
15. Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes, until set and lightly browned. 
16. Remove from oven and let cool on cooling racks before icing.
17. For the Icing: Place ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer. 
18. Using the paddle attachment, beat until icing is smooth and matte, about 8 minutes. 
19. Color and pipe icing as desired.
20. Enjoy!

Okay lovelies, I'll be back tomorrow. Stay tuned to see what's in store for our next recipe! 

-Mandie