To Eat or Not to Eat. That is the Question.

Just kidding. One of these recipes has glue in it, so obviously you won’t want to eat that one…

And the other ones are absolutely yummy amazing so clearly, the answer is to most definitely eat those!

The first recipe is for the most delicious homemade gingerbread you’ve ever had. The second recipe is for the cutest lil’ cinnamon gingie ornaments that are a perfect addition to some homemade holiday potpourri (also posted below).

Gingerbread Cookies

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Ingredients

  

• 3 cups flour
• 1 ½ tsp baking powder
• ¾ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 ¾ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup molasses
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°. Prepare baking sheets by spraying with nonstick spray or lining with parchment paper.
• Mix together dry flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.

  *note* correct measurements make or break this recipe. Too much flour will make it dry and too little will make it too sticky. The best way to avoid this is by measuring the flour into a small bowl, sift it, then measure it a second time (chances are high there will be extra flour left over that you will not add back).
• Using your counter mixer or your hand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and egg until well blended.
• Add molasses and vanilla.
• Gradually add dry ingredients to mix until thoroughly mixed.
• Using a floured work space, roll out small portions of dough at a time and cut with cookie cutter or simply add to a greased 9×13 sheet pan for a slab cookie.

  *note* working with smaller dough sections at a time is best for this recipe. Unlike sugar cookie dough, the gingerbread dough really can't be moved around much. By rolling out smaller dough balls, and only applying slight pressure with your floured rolling pin, your dough will be less likely to crack or crumble.
• Space cookies approx. 1½ inches apart
• Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes. 7 minutes will give you softer, chewier cookies. 10 will give you more of a crunch. Both are delicious!
• Let cool and decorate with my Royal Icing recipe below.

Cinnamon Gingie Kids

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp ground cloves
• 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
• ¾ cup applesauce
• 2 tbsp white craft glue

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 200°. You can also omit the oven and let the ornaments air dry in a sunny spot for 4-5 days.
• Stir together cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Mix in the applesauce and glue. Whip the mixture with your stand mixer or just your hands for a few minutes until a ball forms. If mix is too gooey, add more cinnamon. If it's too dry, add more applesauce.
• Lightly dust your work surface with cinnamon. Roll out dough to approx. ¼ inch thickness. Using desired cookie cutter shapes, cut out dough and place on non-stick sprayed pans. Don't forget to punch a hole using a toothpick or skewer if you wish to hang them with ribbon or add a bow.
• Bake for 3 hours.
• Allow to cool completely.

Cinnamon & Spice Potpourri

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Ingredients

  

• 1 cup dried orange & apple slices You can purchase them packaged and pre-dried. You can also slice your own oranges and apples and dehydrate them in a dehydrator or straight on your oven rack set at the lowest setting (250°) until dried out (about 2-3 hours) turning them every half hour or so. They will stick to a tray, which is why they should be placed directly on the rack.
• 1 cup dried anise stars
• 1 cup dried rosehips
• 1 cup whole cloves
• 1 cup cinnamon sticks
• homemade gingie kids from recipe above

Instructions

 

• Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl or container. Take a few really good sniffs to let the amazing scent settle into the depths of your nostrils.

  Potpourri can be set out in a bowl dry or placed in a pot of boiling water to simmer over the stovetop.

  For gift-giving, separate potpourri mix into smaller boxes or bags tied with ribbon for a perfect housewarming gift, hostess gift, Christmas gift or simple "Just Because" gift.

Notes

For an adorable Christmas addition, mix in my Cinnamon Gingie Kids (below) to the potpourri!