Gingerbread

We always have a lot of fun with the gingerbread theme at Christmas time.  

I decided to try something different this year and let each child decorate part of our gingerbread house before assembling it.  This worked out well; it was a lot easier for the kids.

 Kate enjoyed my homemade gingerbread scented play dough.

"Gingerbread" boy almond butter sandwich for lunch.

The girls baked gingerbread cookies.

Kate did a great job rolling out the dough and using the cookie cutters.  She is getting so independent.

  I love love love this picture of the girls working together.  It's just sweet to see them like this.

 Time to decorate the cookies!

 I was happy that Collin appeared to decorate a cookie!!  He was being silly during the "photo session".

 The cookies in the above photo were decorated by Reagan, and the cookies in the photo below this text were decorated by Katelyn.

Gingerbread Finale

I'm sure you knew this was coming, but we finished our gingerbread theme by making and decorating gingerbread cookies.

 When baking and decorating cookies, the only required attire is a fancy bracelet!

 Reagan ate one of her cookies before I could get a picture, but here is the other one.

 Collin made Ninjabread cookies using cookie cutters Auntie Karen gave us a few years ago.

This is the recipe I have been using for a few years.  In my opinion, it is the perfect gingerbread cookie and very child friendly with just the right amount of spice and the right amount of sweetness.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
2 teaspoons vanilla
Directions:

1
In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
2
In a large bowl (KitchenAid's great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
3
Add molasses and vanilla, and continue to mix until well blended.
4
Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
5
Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
6
(Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but in this case it should be refrigerated. Return to room temp before using.) Preheat oven to 375°.
7
Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
8
Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
9
Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.
10
Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.
11
Use additional flour to avoid sticking.
12
Cut out cookies with desired cutter-- the ginger bread man is our favorite of course.
13
Space cookies 1 1/2-inches apart.
14
Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the lower time will give you softer cookies-- very good!).
15
Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
16
After cookies are cool you may decorate them any way you like.

Gingerbread Fun Continued

I got this foam gingerbread house kit from Target recently, and Collin and Reagan assembled and decorated it yesterday.  

 Collin is such a fan of assembling things that he didn't even stop to take his coat off when he came in from school and saw the kit.  He did all of the assembling.  After a few minutes, he did take his coat off!

 Reagan enjoyed decorating.  They did a nice job!  I was very happy with the quality of the kit!

I've made a few gingerbread sandwiches over the last couple of days.  

This one is peanut butter with marshmallow accents and candy facial features.

Even Cherry is having fun with our gingerbread theme!!!

Gingerbread Play

The girls had more gingerbread play time today.

They made felt gingerbread cookies during their tea party.

Reagan and Kate also helped me make gingerbread play dough using a recipe that we have used in the past:

Here is the recipe:
1 c. flour
1/2 c. salt
1 T. cooking oil
1 T. cream of tartar
1 c. water
spices (I used ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice - I didn't measure them, just put in some of each.  I used quite a bit because I really wanted it to smell good and I wanted the spices to turn the dough brown too.)
food coloring (I did not use food coloring for this dough; the spices took care of that!  If you want to make the dough darker - more like gingerbread, you could mix red and green food coloring to turn the dough brown.)

I measured the ingredients into a nonstick pot and stirred until well mixed.  Then I cooked it over medium heat until the dough pulled away from the sides and formed a ball.  I dumped it out onto a cutting board and once it was cool enough to touch, I kneaded it until smooth.

They made very sweet gingerbread people.

Reagan made this gingerbread family; it's absolutely adorable!

 I love that she gave the mom and daughter hair and barrettes!

I love themes, and gingerbread is one I always look forward to!  

Giant Gingerbread

Papa Dan and Grandma M bought the kids these giant gingerbread (from BJs, I think) and we decorated them today.

 In the past, we have always decorated one gingerbread house, and that is always fun but I think I liked this better.  Everyone had their own gingerbread man, their own icing, and their own decorations.  It was nice.

 Kate enjoyed decorating her cookie, but I think she enjoyed sampling all of the candies even more.

Here are their finished gingerbread men: