Alright, let’s get this straight, I ain’t no fancy baker or nothin’. But I can make some darn good gingerbread, the kind that’ll make your mouth water just thinkin’ about it. And I’m gonna tell you how, simple and plain, like I’m talkin’ to my own grandkids. We’re makin’ gingerbread mold cookies today, you hear?
First off, you gotta get your stuff together. Don’t go runnin’ around like a chicken with its head cut off later. You need flour, yeah, the white stuff. And salt, just a pinch, mind you, don’t go overboard. Bakin’ soda, that’s the fizzy stuff that makes things puff up. Then the spices, the real magic: ginger, that’s the one that bites ya a little. Cloves, those little hard things that smell strong. Cinnamon, the warm one. And nutmeg, the one that smells kinda sweet and woody. Get all them ground up, makes it easier.
- Flour
- Salt
- Baking Soda
- Ground Ginger
- Ground Cloves
- Ground Cinnamon
- Ground Nutmeg
Now, dump all that dry stuff in a bowl, a big one, mind you, ’cause we’re gonna add more later. Whisk it up good, get it all mixed together proper. No lumps, you hear? Lumps are the devil in bakin’. Set that bowl aside, we’ll get back to it.
Next, you need the wet stuff. Butter, the real stuff, not that fake margarine stuff. Sugar, white or brown, don’t matter much. Molasses, that’s the black sticky stuff that gives it that gingerbread kick. And an egg, just one, from a happy chicken, if you can find one. Oh, and a little bit of water, just to loosen things up.
Get yourself another bowl, and beat that butter till it’s soft and fluffy. Like clouds, you know? Then dump in the sugar and beat it some more, till it’s all light and creamy. Then pour in the molasses and the egg, and mix it all up good. Don’t be shy, get in there and mix it! Add a little splash of water if it looks too thick.
Now comes the tricky part, but don’t you fret, it ain’t that hard. Slowly add the dry stuff to the wet stuff, a little bit at a time, mixin’ it all up as you go. Don’t dump it all in at once, or you’ll have a mess. Mix it till it all comes together into a dough, a nice soft dough, not too sticky, not too dry. You might need to add a little more flour if it’s too sticky or a little more water if it’s too dry.
Okay, here’s the important part: don’t you go puttin’ that dough in the fridge! No sirree! We’re moldin’ it right away. Get your molds ready, the fancy ones or the plain ones, don’t matter. Dust ’em with a little flour, so the cookies don’t stick.
Now, take a chunk of dough and press it into the mold. Push it in good, make sure it fills all the little corners and crevices. Then, carefully, turn the mold over and tap it on the counter to get the cookie out. If it sticks, use a little knife to loosen it up.
Put them cookies on a bakin’ sheet, not too close together, ’cause they’ll spread a little. And then, into the oven they go! Preheat that oven to 350 degrees, mind you. Don’t want to burn them. Bake ’em for about 10 to 12 minutes, till they’re golden brown around the edges. They might look a little soft, but don’t worry, they’ll harden up as they cool.
When they’re done, take ’em out of the oven and let ’em cool on a rack. And there you have it, gingerbread mold cookies, just like grandma used to make… well, like I make, anyways. They ain’t perfect, mind you, but they’re made with love, and that’s all that matters. You can eat ‘em plain or decorate ‘em if you like.
Now go on and make some, and don’t forget to share! Nothin’ better than sharin’ a good cookie with someone you love.
Baking Tip: Keep an eye on them cookies in the oven, every oven is different, you know? And if you want ‘em to be a little crunchier, leave ‘em in the oven for a couple of minutes longer.
Storage Tip: Store them cookies in an airtight container, they’ll stay fresh for a few days… if they last that long!
Another Tip: If you don’t have fancy cookie molds, you can just use your hands to shape them. Make little balls, or flatten them out, or whatever you want. They might not be as pretty, but they’ll taste just as good.
Tags: [gingerbread, mold cookies, cookie recipe, baking, dessert, holiday baking, spices, molasses, easy recipe, homemade cookies]
