Okay, so, I’ve always been into baking, right? And the holiday season is my favorite time to get busy in the kitchen. This year, I decided to tackle gingerbread men, but with a twist – I used silicone molds. Let me tell you about the whole experience, from start to finish.
First off, I grabbed my usual gingerbread recipe. Nothing fancy, just the good old-fashioned kind that my grandma used to make. I whipped up the dough, mixing in the flour, spices, and molasses. The smell alone was enough to get me in the festive mood! Once the dough was ready, I chilled it in the fridge for a bit. You know, gotta make sure it’s firm enough to work with.
Now, here’s where the fun part started. I’d ordered these silicone gingerbread man molds online, and they were super cute. Since they are silicone, I just lightly greased the molds. Then I pressed the dough into each mold, making sure to fill all the little details like the buttons and the smile. This part took a little patience, but it was also kind of therapeutic. It is softer sweeter gingerbread cookie that will require drying time, unlike the traditional sturdy gingerbread.
After the molds were filled, I popped them into the oven and let them bake. The waiting was the hardest part! But soon enough, the kitchen was filled with that wonderful gingerbread aroma. I took the molds out and let them cool for a few minutes before carefully flipping them over. I think using molds adds a fun twist to traditional baking.
And there they were – perfectly shaped gingerbread men! I was so excited that I started decorating them right away. I had some frosting, sprinkles, and even some mini candies. I went a little crazy with the decorations, I’ll admit. Each gingerbread man got its own unique personality, with different colored frosting and sprinkle patterns. I like to use festive sprinkles and colorful sanding sugars to accent the piping, like the eyes, buttons, or attire on gingerbread men.
Finally, I laid them out to dry. The whole process was a blast, and the silicone molds made it so much easier. No sticking, no breaking – just perfect gingerbread men every time. Plus, cleanup was a breeze! I just popped the molds in the dishwasher, and they were good as new.
Honestly, using silicone molds for gingerbread is a game-changer, especially if you’re making them with kids. It’s less messy, less frustrating, and more fun. So, if you’re thinking about baking gingerbread this holiday season, I highly recommend giving these molds a try. You won’t regret it!
