Print

Gingerbread Cookies with Winter Forest Design

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Delightful Gingerbread Cookies decorated with a charming winter forest design, perfect for holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1⁄4 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
  • 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 2/3 cup (160ml) unsulfured molasses
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 2 large egg whites or 3 tablespoons meringue powder mixed with 6 tablespoons water
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
  • Gel food coloring (green, white, brown, and optional blue)
  • Edible gold dust (optional for the deer)
  • Fine sugar or edible glitter for snow effect

Instructions

  1. Begin by whisking together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt in a medium bowl. Once combined, set the mixture aside.
  2. In a large bowl, take the softened butter and brown sugar, creaming them together until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add the egg, unsulfured molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until everything is well combined.
  3. Gradually add the dry ingredients from the first bowl into the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms. If the dough feels too sticky, don’t hesitate to add a little more flour to help it firm up.
  4. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the chilled dough to about 1/4 inch in thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes.
  7. Place the cookie cutouts onto the baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes.
  8. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
  9. To prepare the royal icing, beat the egg whites (or meringue powder mixture) until stiff peaks form. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
  10. Divide the royal icing into bowls and add gel food coloring for desired designs.
  11. Using piping bags, pipe the royal icing onto the cookies, creating intricate designs.
  12. For added elegance, sprinkle edible gold dust on the deer shapes and fine sugar for a snowy effect.
  13. Let the royal icing dry completely before serving or packaging your cookies.

Notes

Make sure your butter is at room temperature and chill the dough properly to avoid misshapen cookies.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://yummyfirst.com/gingerbread-cookies-winter-forest-design/