Gingerbread Cookie

'Run run as fast as you can - you can't catch me, I'm the ginger bread man.....!  My son's favorite line and favorite cookies. I have never decorated ginger bread cookies on my own, as a kid with mom and now as  mom.

They will never turn out perfect, but the kids have fun every single time..
This is my kids favorite ginger bread cookie recipe.. Always delicious and never too strong in flavors. you can of course add more if you please but I like it so. 

Make about 2 dozen cookies 


Here's what you will need:

230 -250 grams or 2/14 - 2 1/2 cup - plain AP Four
1 tsp Baking Powder
1/4 tsp salt
11/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground Cloves
170 grams / 3/4 cup unsalted Butter
1/2 cup Brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses (light or dark)
1 tsp Vanilla
1 large Egg
Orange extract  (optional)


Decorations - caster sugar, chocolate chips, royal Icing.. etc.
 
Note on Flavors-
Orange - if you choose to add less of the above then orange is another good flavor that blends well with ginger and cinnamon. My kids do not like the orange but I have tasted orange flavor ginger bread in the US and it was lovely.
Ginger, Cinnamon & Cloves - a good blend on spices but you can go less or more. When my kids were small I use to use half the amount mentioned above.
Garam Masala - Sound weird but I love garam masala flavored ginger bread cookies. Just 1 tsp instead of all the above.




Method:

Have all your ingredients ready.

Add the warm spices to the flour - cloves, cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking powder. 

 Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

 Add in the molasses and egg.

Next goes in the flour.

Form the dough. The dough will be sticky to handle.

Divide into two, wrap in plastic / cling wrap and chill for a couple of hours. 

This dough is best rolled between two sheets of wax or parchment paper.  Even when cold it can be sticky.

If the rolling make the dough soft again,  I cut out the shapes and place the sheet back into the fridge before I transfer them to the baking tray. 
A chilled dough is easier to handle.

Place on a baking tray. 

 If using sugar and chocolate chips to decorate, do so now.
Here you can see my son is making ginger bread mans coat with the white sugar and
my daughter is fascinated putting the eyes and nose with chocolate chips.

Bake in a preheated oven at 170C/340F for about 8 to 10 minutes.
Cool on a cooling rack.

Well, my daughters eyes look all over the place but the sugar pretty much stayed in the center.
Ah well, kids had fun!

These were decorated with Royal Icing.  Me and my son holding the piping bag together. A bit shaky but he loves to pipe.

 Hope you try this recipe. It's always fun with the kids.


Thanks for stopping by.