It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 4:00AM 
Nothing compares to the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas. This season is truly magical… from the moment we carry in the tree to the moment we climb out of bed on Christmas morning.
In our house, the season begins the day after Thanksgiving. I try to recreate that warm, wonderful feeling of going home…the magic, sparkle and spirit of the season that delights and inspires. We set aside a weekend to trim the tree, decorate and bake gingerbread.
I’ve adapted this gingerbread recipe from countless others to create a spicier, softer, more cake-like cookie. If I’m making them for adults, I like to add chopped candied ginger and a pinch of black pepper. Make them your own by adjusting the spices to suit your taste.
Gingerbread Men
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 egg
3 tablespoons molasses
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
2 ½ teaspoons ginger
¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional)
Pinch of salt
Heat oven to 350°F. Beat sugars, butter, egg and molasses with an electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Reduce to low and add additional ingredients. Beat until well combined.
Press dough into ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until gingerbread is golden brown. Let cool and cut into gingerbread men. Decorate with icing, raisins, chocolate chips and assorted candies.
Christmas has always been a very special time for our family. Baking gingerbread is such a wonderful prelude to the holiday season. The sweet and spicy fragrance of gingerbread baking is one of the most comforting of the winter season.
Special Fork bloggers blog Monday through Friday. For more recipes and ideas on your smartphone, check us out at www.specialfork.com. Join the conversation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @specialforksndy.
Reader Comments (4)
thank you for this gingerbread recipe!! going to try it this weekend!! merry christmas to you all!!!!
Your recipe sounds yummy. I'm a big gingerbread lover as my grandmother was Swedish and I grew up eating her gingerbread cookies. Happy holidays!
LOVE this you guys, pictures are beautiful and priceless!! LOVE being able to see your gorgeous guys grow up! Thanks.....recipe sounds perfect....am taking it with us on Christmas to Virginia Beach where Erin lives.
I'm skipping the cookies in favor of the gingerbread. It looks wonderful and I can just eat it out of the pan. I will try the chopped ginger in it as I love that.
The pictures are great and that looks like a beautiful tree and 3 handsome guys.
Love Patsy