12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: SPICED GINGERBREAD COOKIES

As you know from Day 2 of this series, I love gingerbread at Christmas time. If you want to make gingerbread men, this would be a great recipe to do so. I chose to ball the dough and just make round cookies this year, however. And that is simply just because I didn’t feel like rolling out the dough and cutting it. I was making several other things that days and this just seemed easier. Real life, folks. But I also realllly liked the way these turned out and think they were actually really pretty like this.

These are called “spiced” because you put a little bit of black pepper in the dough. Now, y’all, I am one of those people who thinks nothing can be too rich. I’m from the Deep South and I believe desserts are meant to be sweet. I don’t get this whole “savory desserts” situation. Side note: I do love the combo of salty/sweet but I think that is a whole other thing.

Anyway, these definitely have a kick to them, but DON’T FEAR, it really makes for a super unique and tasty bite, especially mixed with the royal icing used for the decoration, which we all know is basically straight sugar.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I think they are something a little extra special than your basic gingerbread man dough. Tell me below what you think!!

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STEP 1: Whisk together the flour, baking soda and baking powder.

STEP 2: In another large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy.

STEP 3: Add ginger, cinnamon, salt, cloves and pepper and beat.

STEP 4: Add egg and beat until combined.

STEP 5: Beat in the molasses.

STEP 6: Add the dry ingredients gradually and mix until combined and dough forms.

STEP 7: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours. You can also freeze at this point.

STEP 8: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

STEP 9: Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

STEP 10: If cutting into shapes, roll dough out on a floured surface and cut with cookie cutters. If not, roll about a tablespoon of dough into a ball and place on cookie sheet.

STEP 11: Bake for 8-10 minutes.

STEP 12: Allow to cool on pans for about 5 minutes then move to a rack to cool completely.

STEP 13: To make icing, beat the egg white until foamy.

STEP 14: Add confectioners sugar 1 cup at a time, alternating with 1 tablespoon water until sugar is incorporated and icing holds its shape.

STEP 15: Decorate and ice your cookies however your heart desires!