The Gingerbread People
1 Comment | Written on December 8, 2011 at 11:00 am, by Amy Palanjian
I had the strongest urge to bake gingerbread people this weekend. It started because my husband and I procured and decorated our Very First Tree. Now that it’s up, lit, and generally making our living room feel very festive, I fully plan to continue our new tradition every year henceforth. While we were unpacking our small collection of ornaments to hang on the tree, I couldn’t get the idea of hanging gingerbread people on it out of my mind. Part of me feels like I must have done that as a kid (maybe in Girl Scouts?), the other part of me thinks maybe I simply heard about someone else doing it and have made it into my own memory…
Either way, given our shortage of ornaments, adding a batch of gingerbread people would be a great way to fill out the tree—and make the house smell lovely. But my ulterior motive for hatching this elaborate baking plan? I really (really) wanted to eat a plate of these cookies with a glass of milk! I love gingerbread cookies, gingersnaps, and gingerbread. And now that I know that you can make Chocolate Gingerbread People, I am completely sold on the idea. So this weekend, before we have guests over for dinner on Saturday, I’m going to make a batch. And if I’m lucky, I’ll get my husband to help me decorate them, perhaps starting another holiday tradition in the process.
If you’re not so sold on Gingerbread People, here are a few recipes that involve the classic flavor, but may be more pleasing to your tastes.
Gingerbread Drop Cookies: Just like gingersnaps and easy to make, since there’s no rolling, cutting, or decorating involved.
Chocolate Gingerbread Drops: Bittersweet chocolate, tart dried cherries, and the classic gingerbread spices, all in the same cookie. Sign me up!
Chai Spice Girls: For those of you who might be in the market for a more subtly spiced cookie, this one is for you. It takes the classic chai flavor and puts it into a cookie, complete with a pretty pale color and delicate decorating suggestions.
And since we’re on the topic of food tradition, what are some of your favorite holiday traditions surrounding food?
Get more recipes for gingerbread houses, gingerbread cakes, and all kinds of gingerbread desserts.
Categories:
The Sweet Spot | Tags: Christmas Cookies, Christmas Desserts, Christmas Gingerbread
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One Response to “The Gingerbread People”
I too made gingerbread people this year to hang as garland on the fireplace mantel. My two granddaughters helped me decorate them. Since they are only 2 and 4 some of them are very “interesting” LOL! We had so much fun and of course they can’t wait to eat them later.