Gingerbread tradition: Make tea bag cookies this holiday
Baking gingerbread cookies together for the holidays is already a family tradition for us. Every year, we gather to make loads of cookies—not only to enjoy ourselves but also to hang on the Christmas tree. Last year, my sister came across the idea of cookies shaped like tea bags. This simple shape turned out to be perfect for gingerbread cookies, and this year, I plan to make the same ones.
Originally, tea bag-shaped cookies were crafted using a recipe for shortcrust cookies using wheat flour and cold butter. However, nothing is stopping you from using this shape when cutting out Christmas gingerbread cookies as well. You can attach tags to the tea bag gingerbread cookies to write something nice for your loved ones.
The symbolism of Christmas gingerbread cookies
Gingerbread cookies baked for the holidays are not just a tasty addition to tea or coffee. Cookies with honey and spices symbolize love and care for loved ones. Their ingredients not only smell wonderful but also offer health benefits, so you could say that gingerbread cookies provide a degree of protection against illnesses. Made with care, they become a personal gift, especially when you include tags with warm wishes.
By giving gingerbread cookies, you pass on the part of yourself—your love and care hidden in each cookie. Such a small gift conveys your thoughtfulness and warm feelings, which the recipient will surely appreciate and remember.
A good gingerbread cookie recipe as the foundation
You might have your own tried-and-true recipe for the dough. If not, you can use a simple recipe for holiday gingerbread cookies that doesn't require cooking ingredients on the stove. Simply knead flour, honey, and other additions into a ball, then place it in the refrigerator for about half an hour. After this time, you can roll out the dough and cut out fancy shapes.
How to make gingerbread cookies shaped like tea bags?
To make tea bag cookies, prepare a knife for cutting rectangles, a straw, thin string, paper, and a stapler.
Ingredients:
- gingerbread dough
- 2 bars of dark chocolate
- 2 tablespoons of heavy cream
Instructions:
- Roll out the gingerbread dough and cut it into rectangles measuring approximately 3 x 5 cm (1 x 2 inches).
- Bend or trim the top corners of the rectangles with a knife.
- Use a straw to make a small hole at the top of the cookies.
- Preheat the oven to 177°C (350°F) and bake the gingerbread cookies. They should be ready in about 10 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. While heating, add the cream and mix into a smooth consistency.
- Dip the cooled cookies in melted chocolate, covering about two-thirds of their height. Place the finished cookies on a rack to set.
- Once the chocolate hardens, thread the string through the hole. Attach a holiday card using a stapler.
