Copyright 2015. Family Theme Days. All rights reserved.
Are you Ready to Bake?
I won't tell anyone if you choose to use cookies that are already baked or even a packaged gingerbread mix! These are super convenient and kids love them just as much as those made from scratch. Why not make life easier and more fun!
However, if you do like to bake check out this cookbook that offers a huge array of Gingerbread recipes from around the world (lots of cakes and cookies):
The Complete Book of Gingerbread, by Valerie Barrett, Chartwell Books, Inc.., 1992
How to make Royal Icing:
Using an electric mixer with the whisk attachment mix 4 egg whites and 1 tbsp of cream of tartar together until there are no lumps.
Add 1 lb (454 g) of icing sugar in the bowl and use the paddle attachment to mix on low for 10 minutes.
Here’s a video about how to make a gingerbread house!
Gingerbread faces are easy to make!
SNACK TIME:
Ginger Lemon Tea:
This tea is perfect for a sore throat or a sore tummy.
Simply steep 1 tsp of freshly grated ginger in 1 cup of boiling water (either use paper tea bags from specialty shops, a tea strainer or steep right int he water and strain to remove the pulp afterwards). Add 1 tbsp of fresh lemon juice and 1 tsp of honey.
Spiced Ginger Tea:
This is a sweeter tea and would make a nice dessert on its own.
Steep 1 tbsp of freshly grated ginger and 3 cardamon pods in 4 cups of boiling water for 7 minutes (either use paper tea bags from specialty shops, a tea strainer or steep right in the water and strain everything before serving).
Add 6 tsp of brown sugar and 2 black tea bags to the boiling mixture and steep for 3 more minutes.
Finally add 3/4 cup of hot milk and remove the ginger and spices before serving. Makes 4 cups of sweet tea.
A gingerbread house is a lot of fun!
Make some classic gingerbread men!
GINGERBREAD COOKIES:
Ingredients:
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp allspice
½ cup of softened butter (1 stick)
¾ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
2 tbsp water
FOODS
Gingerbread Milkshake:
Ingredients: 4 to 6 gingerbread or gingersnap cookies, 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, 1 cup of milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1 tsp molasses, optional whipped cream and candy sprinkles.
How To: Mash the cookies either by hand in a ziplock bag or in your blender. Add the rest of the ingredients to the blender and combine. Top with whipped cream and candy sprinkles if desired. Enjoy!
Royal icing:
If you are making a gingerbread house you can use the recipe above for cookies but cut out large rectangles to shape your walls and roof. You will need Royal icing to “Glue” the house together. I found this simple recipe works well and it doesn’t require meringue powder (so I didn’t have to buy a new ingredient).
If your going to have a Gingerbread Theme Day chances are your going to want to eat some Gingerbread!
Of course I've got your basic Gingerbread Cookie recipe on this page but I've also offered a few other ideas just for fun!
My Youngest liked the Ginger Lemon tea the best but my Eldest like the Spiced tea!
Gingerbread
How to make Gingerbread Cookies:
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy in a separate bowl. Beat in the molasses, egg and water. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and combine (a stand mixer works best).
Set out two long pieces of plastic wrap. Gather the dough and divide into two halves. Shapes into a flattened disc that will fit in the plastic wrap and wrap both pieces of dough. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or a day.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one piece of dough to desired thickness. Cut with your cookie cutters. You can use the classic gingerbread Man and Woman or if you don’t want to buy a new cookie cutter just use a circle cutter or a rinsed and dried tomato can to create Gingerbread faces. Put the cut out pieces of dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Reroll the scraps and continue to flatten and cut cookies. Continue with the second refrigerated disc of dough.
Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.
Decorate with store-bought icing tubes or candies or make your own royal icing (see below).
https://www.angieslist.com/articles/home-preparation-tips-weather-emergencies.htmMakes about 2 dozen cookies.
LUNCH TIME:
Gingerbread Shaped Sandwiches:
Simply use a small gingerbread cookie cutter to shape your bread and then spread your child's favourite fillings between two slices. You can decorate the Sandwiches if you want but my kids opted to eat them plain.
A Special Treat:
Gingerbread Cupcakes:
These gingerbread cupcakes with cream cheese icing were delicious! You can top with with little Gingerbread cookies or fun sprnkles! i found some tiny cinnamon flavroured gingerbreadmen at Bulk Barn!
Here's where I found the recipe:
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2013/12/08/gingerbread-cupcakes/
Find unique cookie cutters like these Ninjabread Men!