Gingerbread cookies

With our gingerbread cookie recipe, it is easy to make cookies that taste just as good as they look after you finish decorating them. Simply prepare the dough and let it rest for a couple of hours, making it firm and workable, before rolling it out and using your favourite cookie cutters to make fun shapes. Bake the cookies, and as you allow them to cool until they crisp up, remaining chewy in the middle. Then, whip up your homemade icing so you are ready to decorate. Serve the cookies with a nice hot beverage or take a leaf out of Santa's book and enjoy them with a glass of cold milk!

The easiest way to make a recognisable gingerbread man is to use a cookie cutter in the desired shape. After baking and cooling the cookie, use a sweet, homemade icing to decorate the gingerbread man-shaped cookie. Give him his characteristic look by outlining the edge or making zig-zag patterns at his wrists and ankles and giving him eyes, a smile, and buttons – or maybe a stylish butterfly, tie, or winter scarf.

Because a gingerbread cookie is a slightly dry and chewy cookie containing little moisture, they have a long shelf life compared to other kinds of homemade cookies. Undecorated, these cookies will keep for 2-3 weeks if stored in an airtight container placed somewhere cool and dark. Decorated with royal icing, as suggested in our recipe, the decorated cookies should be enjoyed within 2-3 days.

Gingerbread cookies may be prepared in advance and frozen. Undecorated, baked ones will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer. Store them in an airtight container, separated by sheet or wax paper if you have more than one layer. Take them out and let them to thaw for about 15-30 minutes before decorating them. Refrain from decorating the cookies before storing them as frosting and decorations do not hold up well in the freezer.

Exact baking times may, as you have possibly already experienced, depend on your oven. The recommended baking time for these Christmas cookies is 5-7 minutes. Check on your cookies after 5 minutes but do not despair if you need to bake them for a little longer than 7 minutes. When the cookies are golden and their edges firm when gently touched, they are done.

Baked gingerbread cookies should be stored in an airtight container in a place that is both dark and at least somewhat cool. Whether or not you have decorated the cookies, they may be stored at room temperature. After decorating your cookies, store them in a single layer so the decorations are not ruined. Never put away cookies before they are completely cool as trapped heat may cause them to become soggy.

Royal icing made from icing sugar and egg whites is a great choice for decorating the spiced Christmas cookies. Getting the consistency right is key to creating a beautiful-looking gingerbread cookie with icing and colourful decorations. If your gingerbread icing has become too thick, try adding a bit off water. If it is too thin, on the other hand, try to keep beating it. If this does not help, try adding a bit more icing sugar. Experiment with finding a consistency that works for the gingerbread decorations you want to create.