Spicing Up the Holidays with Infused Gingerbread Men Cookies
Infused Gingerbread Men Cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp orange-infused sugar (for topping)
Instructions:
Prep the Dough: In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and salt. In another bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add molasses, egg, and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a dough forms.
Chill: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Roll and Cut: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cookie cutters to cut out shapes.
Bake: Place cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle each cookie with a pinch of orange-infused sugar. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are just starting to brown.
Cool and Decorate: Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate with icing and candies as desired.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your infused gingerbread men with your favorite holiday beverages and enjoy the festive flavors!
Spicing Up the Holidays with Infused Gingerbread Men Cookies
The holiday season is synonymous with the aroma of spices and the warmth of the kitchen. This year, let’s add an extra zing to our traditional baking with a unique twist on a classic favorite – infused gingerbread men cookies! These cookies are not just a treat for the taste buds but also a feast for the senses, blending the traditional flavors of gingerbread with a hint of something extra.
The Infusion Twist: Our secret ingredient is a simple yet impactful one: infused sugar. Infused sugar carries the essence of various flavors, from citrus to herbs, adding a subtle but distinct touch to the cookies. For this recipe, we’ll use orange-infused sugar, which pairs beautifully with the spices in gingerbread.
Baking with Love: Baking gingerbread men is a fun activity for all ages. It’s a time to get creative with shapes, decorations, and flavors. Remember, the key to a perfect gingerbread man is in the balance of spices and the joy poured into every step of the baking process.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve these infused gingerbread men with a warm cup of mulled wine or hot cocoa. They’re perfect for holiday parties, as gifts, or simply as a cozy treat on a chilly evening.
This holiday season, let’s make memories in the kitchen and spread joy with every batch of these infused gingerbread men cookies. Happy baking!
