Making and Decorating Gingerbread Cookies

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Making and decorating gingerbread cookies and gingerbread houses has been a part of our family Christmas tradition for many years.  It’s that time again. With a few basic Christmas cookie cutters {pine trees, stars and gingerbread man} and white Royal icing we’ve been busy baking and decorating gingerbread cookies {recipes for gingerbread cookies and royal icing, here}.  I’ve adjusted this recipe over the years and have found a good balance in the flavor and texture.  The cookie dough has a sweet flavor and not too spicy for the kids.  When baked the cookies will hold theirs shapes well.  They are great for eating, decorating, and for giving as gifts.

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Follow the recipe and roll the dough out to about 1/8″ thickness and with a cookie cutter, cut out the cookies.  Use an offset spatula to transfer each one on to the baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Combine the left over dough scraps and repeat the process.

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Grace was my helper.

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The dining table became the assembly line for the cookies.

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To prevent the royal icing from flowing down the sides of the cookie, using a pastry bag, pipe an outline of icing around the edges of the cookie then flood the interior space with more icing.

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Allow the icing to dry completely {3-6 hours}.  They are then ready to be transported, stored, arranged in gift bags, or used as Christmas decorations.

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I love this simple gift wrapping idea using white paper, red twine and a bag of gingerbread cookies.

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The candy shelves will be filled with more Christmas candies in the coming days in preparation for our annual gingerbread house decorating party.

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Gingerbread cookies are wonderful sweet treats at Christmas time.  There are many ways to use and enjoy them.  I hope these simple techniques and ideas will help you get started in making your gingerbread cookies.

· recipes for gingerbread cookies and royal icing ·

Have a Merry Christmas!

Posted by Kay