The soft decorated gingerbread cookies, also known as Christmas gingerbreads, are among the most loved Christmas cookies, especially by children.
This is an easy and tested recipe to prepare soft gingerbread cookies, perfect for decorating with royal icing, that maintain their shape during baking and stay soft even after days.
They are ideal as Christmas cookies for children, to make together during the holidays, to give as gifts or to serve on the most magical days of the year.
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If you are looking for more Christmas recipes, take a look here:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Low
- Rest time: 2 Hours
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 40 pieces
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Christmas, New Year's Eve
Ingredients
- 3 cups cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup cup brown sugar
- 2/3 cup cup wildflower honey
- 2/3 cup cup butter
- 2 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 cup cup powdered sugar
- 1 oz oz egg white (pasteurized)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- as needed sugar pearls (star shapes, heart shapes)
Tools
- Cookie Cutters
- Liquid Dispenser
Steps
In a bowl, work the softened butter with the sugar until you get a smooth and homogeneous cream.
Add the egg and honey and mix well.
Add the flour, baking soda, salt, spices, and unsweetened cocoa powder, then incorporate the powders into the mixture.The dough will be a bit sticky: that’s normal and okay, as this is the secret to obtaining soft and fluffy cookies.
Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours: this step is essential to slightly firm it up.
After the resting time, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of approximately 1/6-1/5 inch and cut out the cookies with Christmas-themed cutters.
Arrange them directly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake immediately, without further waiting.
Bake in a preheated static oven at 350°F for 11–12 minutes.
Let them cool completely on a rack before decorating.
Beat the pasteurized egg white with a few drops of lemon juice.
Add the powdered sugar gradually until you obtain a smooth, thick, and glossy icing.
Transfer it to a piping bag with a fine nozzle and decorate the gingerbread cookies only when they are completely cold.
Storage
Undecorated gingerbread cookies can be stored for up to 10 days in a tin box.
Gingerbread cookies decorated with royal icing can be stored for about 7 days in an airtight container.
The raw dough can be stored for 48 hours in the refrigerator or 2 months in the freezer.
Tips
Do not extend the baking time: it’s the secret to obtaining soft gingerbread cookies.
The cocoa is just for color, it does not alter the taste and is perfect for children.
This recipe is ideal as decorated Christmas cookies.
If you want to hang the gingerbread men on the tree, make the hole before baking.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Are gingerbread men suitable for children?
Yes, they have a delicate and not pungent taste, perfect as Christmas cookies for children.
Do they hold up well to royal icing?
Yes, they are designed specifically as decorated gingerbread cookies.
