Sure! Let’s dive into the delightful recipe for Dark Gingerbread. This recipe promises to be a treat for all gingerbread enthusiasts, offering a rich, dark flavor with just the right amount of spice. Whether you’re preparing for a gathering or simply craving a cozy baking session, Dark Gingerbread is a perfect choice to satisfy your sweet tooth in under 30 minutes!
Dark Gingerbread Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 cookies
Ingredients:
- 3 1/4 cups self-rising flour
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 2/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1 egg
Instructions:
-
Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Thoroughly grease two cookie sheets to prevent sticking.
-
Mix Dry Ingredients:
- In a food processor, combine the self-rising flour, ground ginger, and ground cloves. Pulse briefly to mix evenly.
-
Add Butter:
- Cut the cold unsalted butter into small cubes and add them to the food processor with the dry ingredients.
-
Blend to Crumbs:
- Pulse the mixture in the food processor until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. This ensures even distribution of butter throughout the dough.
-
Incorporate Wet Ingredients:
- Add the dark brown sugar, molasses, and the egg to the food processor. Process until the mixture comes together into a cohesive dough.
-
Chill the Dough:
- Remove the dough from the food processor and wrap it in plastic wrap or a beeswax wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step allows the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up for easier handling.
-
Roll Out the Dough:
- Once chilled, place the dough on a floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thickness using a rolling pin. The flour prevents sticking and ensures the dough rolls out smoothly.
-
Cut Out Shapes:
- Using cookie cutters of your choice (rounds or squares are traditional for gingerbread), cut out shapes from the rolled-out dough. Place these shapes onto the prepared greased cookie sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
-
Bake to Perfection:
- Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cookies have risen slightly and appear a little paler in color. This baking time ensures the cookies are baked through while remaining slightly soft in the center.
-
Cool and Enjoy:
- Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the cookie sheets for about two minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This cooling process allows the cookies to firm up and achieve their characteristic gingerbread texture.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 134.2
- Fat: 4.2g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 19mg
- Sodium: 222.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 22.2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 8.5g
- Protein: 2g
Tips for Success:
-
Use Quality Ingredients: The flavor of gingerbread heavily relies on the quality of spices like ginger and cloves. Opt for fresh spices for the best flavor.
-
Chill the Dough: Don’t skip chilling the dough. It helps in easy rolling and cutting of the shapes, as well as enhances the flavor.
-
Grease the Sheets: Ensure the cookie sheets are thoroughly greased to prevent sticking, which can ruin the shape of your cookies.
-
Watch the Oven: Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the cookies towards the end of baking to avoid over-browning.
-
Decorate (Optional): Once cooled, you can decorate these cookies with icing, sprinkles, or keep them plain. Gingerbread cookies are versatile and look beautiful with simple decorations.
Serving Suggestions:
Dark Gingerbread cookies are perfect for any occasion, from holiday gatherings to afternoon tea. Serve them alongside hot cocoa or a steaming cup of coffee for a cozy treat. They also make lovely edible gifts when wrapped in festive packaging.
Conclusion:
With its deep, spicy flavors and simple preparation, Dark Gingerbread is a classic recipe that deserves a place in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, these cookies are sure to impress with their rich taste and festive aroma. Enjoy the process of baking and sharing these delightful treats with loved ones—they’re bound to become a favorite!
