Traditions: Cookies

When I was a little girl, we discovered a bakery in Asheville that made the most delicious gingerbread men all year long. It was always a special treat to get one...and I remember that Mom would often surprise us and stop by on our way home from school to pick one out.

I was sad when the bakery closed...but this year, I think I've found a recipe that comes very close to those original cookies I loved!

My children love the Gingerbread Baby books by Jan Brett. And so they requested to bake gingerbread men and houses (and a pirate...can you spot him?) for this year's Christmas cookies.

This recipe, adapted from Annie's Eats is sure to be the new standard for gingerbread cookies at our house! Let me know what you think!

Gingerbread Cookies

4 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp ground cloves

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground nutmeg

16 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp

1 cup sugar

1 cup molasses

1 large egg

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and all the spices to combine; set aside. 

2. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed, using the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the molasses and egg and mix until combined.  Add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. Cover the dough and chill for at least one hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

4. Divide the dough into three parts. Keep chilled until ready to work with each part. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface, about 1/4 inch thick. Cut desired shapes with cookie cutters. Immediately place shapes on cookie sheet, about 2 inches apart. Place cookie sheet in refrigerator, about 10 minutes. Return unused dough to chill. Meanwhile, work on second part of dough. Repeat until all dough has been used.

5. After chilling the cookies, bake in the oven (one pan at a time) for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire cooling rach and cool completely. Decorate as you choose!

(I prefer my gingerbread men simple! )

What is your favorite Christmas cookie?