christmas gingerbread bowl and cookies pt 1 baked goods
Douglass Sourlis
Ingredients
- **Gingerbread Bowl Ingredients**
- All-purpose flour (2 cups)
- Brown sugar (¾ cup)
- Red food coloring (optional, to match the holiday theme)
- Cinnamon (1 tablespoon)
- Ground ginger (2 teaspoons)
- Ground nutmeg (1 teaspoon)
- Baking powder (1½ teaspoons)
- Salt (1 teaspoon)
- Molasses (¼ cup)
- Vegetable oil (3 tablespoons)
- Egg, beaten (1)
- **Cookies Ingredients**
- All-purpose flour (2 cups)
- Brown sugar (1 cup)
- Granulated sugar (⅓ cup)
- Baking soda (1 teaspoon)
- Ground ginger (2 teaspoons)
- Cinnamon (1 tablespoon)
- Salt (½ teaspoon)
- Molasses (¼ cup)
- Vegetable oil (3 tablespoons)
- Egg, beaten (1)
- **Additional Ingredients for Both**
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon) - For extra flavor in both the bowl and cookies
- Sprinkles or edible glitter (optional) - To add a festive touch to the top of the cookies
- Mistletoe, holly leaves, or other holiday decorations (optional) - For decorating the gingerbread bowl
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Steps
### How to Make Christmas Gingerbread Bowl & Cookies (Part 1: Baked Goods)
Creating festive gingerbread bowls and cookies is a delightful tradition during the holiday season. These treats not only add a touch of cheer but also make fantastic gifts or decorations. Follow these detailed steps to bake your own delicious gingerbread goodies.
#### Ingredients for Gingerbread Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- ⅛ tsp nutmeg
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) vegetable oil, melted
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
#### Equipment Needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Cookie cutter set (optional)
- Baking sheets
#### Step-by-Step Instructions
1. **Preheat the Oven**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
2. **Mix Dry Ingredients**
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves, and ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg.
3. **Combine Wet Ingredients**
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted vegetable oil, beaten egg, molasses, and vanilla extract until well combined.
4. **Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients**
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry mixture, stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tough cookies.
5. **Chill the Dough**
- Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight. This step helps prevent spreading during baking.
6. **Roll Out the Dough**
- After chilling, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to stamp out shapes.
7. **Bake the Cookies**
- Place the cookies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are just firm but centers remain soft.
8. **Cool Before Decorating**
- Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating with frosting, sprinkles, or other toppings of your choice.
#### Tips for Perfect Gingerbread
- For a richer flavor, use dark molasses.
- Add extra spices like allspice or cardamom if you want to experiment with unique flavors.
- Ensure dough is well chilled for best results.
By following these steps, you'll be able to create delicious gingerbread cookies that will set the tone for a wonderful holiday celebration. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll guide you through making the gingerbread bowl and decorating tips!