Hansel and Gretel knew what they were doing when they started munching on the Gingerbread house that they found in the forest. Just imagine the scene. You’re lost in the woods. You thought you had a plan by dropping bread crumbs along your path to find your way home. (Okay, not the smartest way to go, but its all you had in the house. Remember, they were poor.) As you look back to make sure the crumbs are still there, you notice a flock of birds are following you. They have been merrily pecking the leftovers in your trail. Surrounding you are trees upon trees. Nothing looks familiar. You have no idea how far you have walked, or how long. (Because you don’t own a watch.) The only thing you do know is that you’re hungry. Your stomach is growling so loud, it almost sounds like the wolf in the Little Red Riding Hood story.
Standing there, confused and terrified, you suddenly smell the warm scent of ginger and spices. You lift your head and continue to sniff. Where is that inviting scent coming from? You turn to your sibling and smile. Together you skip down the path that leads to a clearing. That’s when you see it. There’s a little cottage sitting amongst the forest. The walls are golden brown and laced with a white creamy frosting. The windows beside the door are framed with striped pieces of peppermint, while the door itself is a very large piece of dark chocolate. You see the walkway lined with marshmallows and gumdrops. The very shingles on the house are vanilla cookies with sprinkles. The entire cabin is designed with all your favorite goodies.
When your stomach howls again, there is only one thing you can do. You must indulge. You take a bite into the side corner of the house. The aroma of gingerbread cannot be ignored. The fire inside the house warms the delicacy and your mouth waters for more. The spicy flavor melts against the top of your tongue and the sensation stirs your belly. Never have you enjoyed such a treat as this.
Gingerbread is typically a seasonal food. Most people don’t ever think of making gingerbread or gingerbread cookies in the middle of summer. Its traditionally served in the colder months of the year, especially at Christmas. Hundreds and thousands of gingerbread houses and cookies are baked each year. Many kits are now sold in retail stores. However, they don’t compare to the kind that is prepared and baked in your own kitchen. Nothing says “Merry Christmas” more than the scent of ginger and cinnamon emerging from your oven with the cut out shapes of little men (and women) lying on a cookie sheet. When you bake gingerbread, everyone knows it and they come running - just like Hansel and Gretel.
The recipe I have enclosed is so easy, and yet so delicious. My goal was to give these cookies as a gift, but I will admit, only half of them made it into my mason jars. Once my son and I tasted these little gingerbread men and Christmas trees, they slowly disappeared into our mouths. For decorations, I merely sprinkled colored sugars on top of each one. Nothing else was needed. Of course, its possible to adorn each man and tree with frosting and tiny silver balls, or mini candies, just to make them more tempting. Its your choice. I cut my shapes with miniature cookie cutters for the sake of packaging, but regular size are great too. Either way, this recipe makes a few dozen for your enjoyment. Give them away as gifts, or enjoy them yourself - just like Hansel and Gretel.
Gingerbread Cookies3 ¼ cups flour
1 TBL Cinnamon
1 TBL Ginger
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¾ cup shortening plus 1 ½ TBL water
½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
1 large egg
½ cup molasses
2 tsp vanilla
In large bowl, mix together flour, cinnamon, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, b. soda and salt. Set aside.
In another bowl, beat shortening, water, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, vanilla and molasses. Mix well.
Add flour combination gradually to the wet mixture, stirring or beating until combined thoroughly.
Cover bowl and refrigerate dough for at least 2 hours. The colder the dough, the easier it is to roll out.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Place cookies on un-greased baking sheets. Sprinkle on colored sugars or sprinkles for easy decorations. **
These cookies are great for gift giving if you fill a mason jar and cover the top with fabric and ribbon!
**More Options**
Cookie dough may be shaped into small 1 inch balls instead of using cookie cutters.
Decorate the cookies with your favorite frosting once they are cooled.
If you use butter or margarine instead of shortening, omit the water.
This recipe bakes a warm brown colored cookie, using a dark brown sugar will intensify the color to a deep dark brown.
