Festive Gingerbread Holiday Ornaments (Printable Version)
Sturdy spiced gingerbread ornaments ideal for holiday decorating, featuring royal icing and festive embellishments.
# What You Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
05 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Wet Ingredients
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 2/3 cup unsulphured molasses
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Decorating
13 - Royal icing (prepared from 1 large egg white, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice)
14 - Food coloring (optional)
15 - Assorted sprinkles or edible decorations
16 - Ribbon or string for hanging
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
02 - In a separate bowl, cream unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then molasses and vanilla extract.
03 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
04 - Divide dough into two portions, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
05 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
06 - Roll dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters.
07 - Make a small hole near the top of each cookie with a straw or skewer for hanging purposes.
08 - Place cookies on prepared sheets and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are firm. Allow to cool on sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling racks to cool completely.
09 - Pipe royal icing and add sprinkles or decorations as desired. Let icing set completely.
10 - Thread ribbon or string through the holes to hang ornaments.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These ornaments hold their shape beautifully, making decorating a delightful and mess-free experience
- The warm spices and molasses blend creates a festive scent that instantly lifts your spirits
02 -
- Chilling the dough longer than an hour improves both flavor and ease of rolling
- Using unsulphured molasses makes all the difference; it keeps the flavor clean and rich, avoiding any bitter notes
03 -
- Always test bake one or two ornaments first to perfect your oven’s timing for a crisp edge without overbaking
- The secret to smooth royal icing is beating the egg white and sugar just enough so it holds stiff peaks but isn’t dry