Today's cookie just goes with Christmas in my opinion! Gingerbread! I remember reading a story growing up about gingerbread men who came to life at night and finished things around the house for the family to help them get ready for Christmas. I always think of that book when making these and it brings a smile to my face.
Gingerbread Cookies
Group 1
~ 5 cups flour - sift before measuring
~ 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
~ 2-3 tsp ground ginger
~1 tsp ground cinnamon
~ 1 tsp ground cloves
~ 1/2 tsp salt
Group 2
~ 1 cup shortening
~ 1 cup sugar
~1 large egg
~ 1 cup light molasses
~ 2 Tbsp white vinegar
~red cinnamon candies
Directions
Sift group 1 together. In a large bowl, beat sugar & shortening. When creamy beat in egg, molasses & vinegar. Stir in flour mixture 1/4 at a time, mixing well after each addition. (Mixture will be stiff - you may want to use your hands.) Cover dough and chill 3 hours or longer. Heat oven to 375. Cut dough in half. On a lightly floured board, roll dough 1/8" think. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut dough and decorate with cinnamon candies. Bake.
I like to make big and small men, small bears, and reindeer. However on this particular day I couldn't find my reindeer cutter or my cinnamon candies. I know I have both, but they are currently lost in the twilight zone (aka my corner cupboard filled with baking supplies). So we did without and all is well. I do someday want to get a big gingerbread bear and heart shaped cinnamon candies, so my cookies could be just like ones in the book I remember.
I have eaten so many Christmas cookies this season, I am starting to think I have had more than Kris Kringle himself! These are sugar cookies are my absolute favorite!
No comments:
Post a Comment