Soft and aromatic gingerbread: A holiday baking tradition
Gingerbread cookies are an inseparable part of the holiday atmosphere. These aromatic, spice-filled cookies evoke childhood memories and fill the home with the scent of holiday magic. Do you want to make them soft and aromatic? Here's how.
Christmas is a time when homes are filled with the smell of gingerbread. These spice cookies have been a part of holiday preparations for years, bringing warmth and joy with them. Baking gingerbread is a tradition and a way to spend quality time with loved ones. So, how do you make soft gingerbread cookies? Here are the key points.
How to make soft gingerbread? recipe
Creating perfectly soft gingerbread cookies starts with selecting the right ingredients. You will need all-purpose flour, honey, butter, gingerbread spices, cinnamon, and cooked potatoes. The potatoes are vital for achieving the exceptional moisture and texture of the cookies. Below are the ingredient measurements:
Ingredients:
- About 500 ml of all-purpose flour
- About 250 ml of honey
- About 250 ml of cooked potatoes (thoroughly mashed)
- About 125 ml of butter
- 2 tablespoons of cream
- 1.5 tablespoons of cocoa
- 1 heaping tablespoon of gingerbread spice
- 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
First, prepare the potatoes – cook them until soft, let them cool, and then mash them thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps. The potatoes will add tenderness to the dough and help the gingerbread stay fresh and soft for longer.
How to make the gingerbread dough? Once all the ingredients are ready, it's time to mix them into a dough. First, melt the butter with the honey in a pot. Pour the melted mixture into a bowl containing the flour, spices, and cinnamon. Add the cooked and mashed potatoes.
Knead everything by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This combination of ingredients will give you dough that's perfect for further processing.
How to make gingerbread? Divide the dough into two parts to make rolling it out more manageable. Dust the countertop with flour and start rolling out the dough to about 1.3 cm thick.
Use cookie cutters to cut various shapes from the dough, like hearts, stars, trees, or whatever you prefer. Then, place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake them for about 10-12 minutes at 160 degrees Celsius (or 320 degrees Fahrenheit). Remember, the key to maintaining their softness is not to over-bake them. It's better to take them out early than leave them in too long.
Once the gingerbread has cooled, store them in an airtight tin or jar. This will keep them soft for longer. If you'd like them to be even more moist, you can add a piece of fresh apple to the container – it's a proven way to keep them fresh.
