I think gingerbread is one of those Christmas treats you either love it or leave it.
It may sound weird to some of you, but this year it was the first time I tried the American style gingerbread.
You see, I grew up with a gingerbread that I adored. I would have never thought of trying another recipe. Obviously, I was wrong. This year I made American gingerbread.
The Romanian gingerbread is sweeter, the only spices added to it are cinnamon and ginger and molasses is nowhere to be mentioned. It’s usually shaped into squares, about 1 1/2 inch wide, and about 1 inch thick. When cooled it’s glazed, making it even more irresistible.
The American style, that’s a whole different cookie. I don’t find it sweet at all, or at least the recipe I tried now. I think I’d prefer to add just some ground ginger and cloves to it. I found the combination of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves and pepper a little bit too overwhelming.
Of course, to like or dislike a cookie is a matter of personal taste.
This gingerbread may not have made it to my top 5 cookies list, but don’t be discouraged.
If you like gingerbread you’re definitely gonna love this one. You’re wondering why am I saying this. Well, hubby was willing to give me $50 so I don’t sell these cookies in order for him to enjoy all season long.
At the bake sale a person came 3 times to buy some gingerbread. Told me they are so good she can’t have enough.
At the end of the day it got me thinking if there was something wrong with my taste buds. Still thinking about that.
Ingredients
- 6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
- 4 teaspoons ground ginger
- 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground clove
- 1 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsulfured molasses
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.
- In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Add flour mixture; combine on low speed.
- Divide dough in thirds; wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees.
- On a floured work surface, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes.
- Transfer to ungreased baking sheets (i used silkpats for my baking sheets); refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes.
- Bake until crisp but not darkened, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Let cookies cool on wire racks, then decorate as desired.
Notes
*recipe from Martha Stewart
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*the recipe says it yields 16 big gingerbread treats. I followed the recipe entirely and had 51 cookies. I guess my cutters weren’t that big.Come join the fun and show some #cookielove!
Sending love your way,
Roxana
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
I wanna try your traditional gingerbread!!!! That sounds reeeeee good! These are very pretty!
I love the addition of black pepper! I can understand not completely loving the recipe. When we get use to something, change is always weird. You cookies look gorgeous, love how you set them up for your pics, beautiful! Hugs, Terra
Did I told you lately how talented and creative you are? Well, you are…these look adorable, Roxy! Nicely done!!!
This looks so cute! Merry Christmas!
presentation looks wonderful lovely cookies
Beautiful houses and photography! Now I'm off to the kitchen to munch on some (store-bought!) gingerbread cookies!
Buzz…and Happy Holidays!
I loooooove it!!
These look absolutely beauty, love the pics:)
Gorgeous! Wanna try it too!!
Gingerbread seems to come in all sorts of styles, from cookies to bars to cakes. I love them all! Your village is simple adorable.
Perhaps you might like it better if you cut back a little on the spices. I will likely be making a batch soon. You are so good with the decorations though and your gingerbread village is adorable. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
I love your gingerbread village! Would you please share your traditional Romanian gingerbread recipe?
Thanks.
I LOVE your little gingerbread village! SO cute, you did a great job decorating these amazing cookies!
These came out adorable. I don't think there is anything wrong with your tastebuds, but I do think our recipe for gingerbread is a little on the spicy side. I don't use the black pepper in mine and I'll usually go easy on the cloves to tame it a bit. I'd love to see your recipe, I bet I'd like it. Merry Christmas.
-Gina-
Just gorgeous, Roxana. And so fun!
wow !! love all the color…that's a lot of effort. happy holidays !
I am a huge fan of the cake style gingerbread. That doesn't stop us each year from making the cut out cookies to decorate. Love the village!
These are all so cute, Roxana!! Definite buzz
Love love love! Buzz!
This is probably about the most festive and creative post I have seen. Not just a gingerbread house, but a whole village. Bravo to you for your dedication and talent on this! Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Wow, that is the cutest little village I've ever seen, and probably the most delicious one too!
This is seriously the cutest thing ever. Stumbled it, obviously
Happy Holidays, Roxana!
Wow, a whole village! This is amazing!
Oh my! This is stunning! Happy Holidays R! xx
Roxana…that is fabulous gingerbread village you have there
Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to you and all at home 
Oh, how fabulous, Roxana!!! You have such talent!!!
They are all too pretty to eat Roxana!
Mandy
What a perfect gingerbread village!! I must come back and show my kids when they get home from school.
OMG… I need to pin this after I leave the comment here. I LOVE it Roxana! I've never seen cute gingerbread village like this. I am sure they taste good but they are too cute to eat…
This is adorable. So fun for kids!
This is so nicely done, just love it, Roxana! Stumbled it!
Happy Holidays!!!
Such a fun gingerbread village! Glad to hear you like the american version
So fun & pretty! I didn't grow up on gingerbread either. I have to learn to make it, I have a house making kit I've never used!
What a great little gingerbread village! I can't blame your hubby for paying you not to sell the cookies! What a fun decoration and I'm sure it tasted fantastic!
adorable gingerbread tree!!! i wish i had better icing techniques
. bet your daughter loved it 
This is so cute!
You did such an AMAZING job decorating thise cookies, and on setting up the photos! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!
Roxana this is awesome! It must have taken you forever to make all that gingerbread! I would love to eat some of it, delicious as it sounds
!
These are amazing, and I am a gingerbread lover
And $50, score 
So cute! like a little happy ville!
What a cute idea – love the "snow"! Very festive
How cute are those?! What a beautiful little gingerbread village you've created there. Your original version of gingerbread sounds tasty as well.
A little late, but this is so cute. I am adding this my list for next year!! So cute!!
Im still trying to catch up on all the wonderful holiday posts and I had to stop by and say how adorable this one was Roxana! I wish I could muster up even a fraction of the skills it took to make this little village.