Connie's Christmas Gingerbread recipe

Christmas wouldn’t be complete for Connie, our Operational Risk Analyst, without a batch of her gingerbread cookies.

Try them out for yourself!

Makes 24 cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 3⁄4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 6 tablespoons Paris Creek’s unsalted butter
• 3⁄4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 large free range egg
• 1⁄2 cup molasses
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

Directions

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until blended.
2. In a large bowl (KitchenAid's great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and an egg on medium speed until blended.
3. Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until blended.
4. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
5. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic. Let them stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours - up to 8 hours. Note - dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but make sure you bring it back to room temperature before using.
6. Preheat oven to 190°C.
7. Prepare baking sheets by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
8. Place one portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface and sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin – so dough doesn’t stick to any surfaces.
9. Roll dough until its 1/4-inch thick and use additional flour to avoid sticking.
10. Cut out cookies with desired cutter-- the gingerbread man is my favourite, of course.
11. Space cookies 1 and ½ inches apart.
12. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (less time will give you softer cookies).
13. Remove cookie sheet from the oven and allow the cookies to stand until they are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
14. After cookies are cool you may decorate them any way you like.
15. I usually brush them with a powdered sugar glaze when I am in a hurry, but they look wonderful when decorated with Royal icing.

Enjoy yourself or wrap up and give away as delicious gifts!

You might also like to try Maryana's Maryana's Golubtsi!