Gingerbread men
10 servings
100 minutes
Gingerbread men are a cozy treat, a symbol of warm winter evenings and festive spirit. Their history traces back to Europe, where gingerbread dough first appeared in the Middle Ages. These shaped cookies with a spice aroma became popular in Russia, reminding of home comfort and family traditions. Sweet honey, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger create a deep spicy flavor while the delicate glaze adds a festive look. They are made for children and adults alike, decorated with colorful icing and raisins. They pair wonderfully with tea or hot chocolate, bringing warmth and joy in every bite. These gingerbread figures are not only tasty but also awaken childhood joy and creativity as they can be decorated to personal taste. With each bite comes a bit of magic and coziness.
1
For the glaze, you will need 360 grams of powdered sugar, 60 grams of butter, 4 tablespoons of milk, salt, and vanillin or vanilla essence.
- Sugar: 150 g
- Butter: 85 g
- Salt: 0.3 teaspoon
- Vanillin: 1 teaspoon
2
Carefully beat the softened butter, brown sugar, and one egg with a mixer on medium speed, add honey, vanilla essence (or vanillin), and lemon zest, and mix again.
- Butter: 85 g
- Sugar: 150 g
- Chicken egg: 1 piece
- Honey: 125 g
- Vanillin: 1 teaspoon
- Lemon zest: 1 teaspoon
3
Mix all dry ingredients and gradually add them to the dough. Knead until smooth. Divide the dough into two parts. Place one part of the dough on a floured table. Lightly flour the rolling pin and the dough as well. Roll the dough into a 5 mm thick sheet.
- Wheat flour: 420 g
- Baking powder: 1.5 teaspoon
- Salt: 0.3 teaspoon
- Soda: 0.5 teaspoon
- Ground cinnamon: 1.5 teaspoon
- Ground ginger: 1 tablespoon
- Ground cloves: 0.3 teaspoon
- Nutmeg: 0.3 teaspoon
4
First, you need to cut a template from paper. Cut out figures from the dough using a knife 10-12 cm high according to the template. Transfer the figures to a greased baking sheet with a spatula, leaving 4 cm between them.
5
Roll out the scraps of dough and continue cutting shapes until all the dough is used up. Do the same with the second half of the dough.
6
Bake the gingerbreads in a preheated oven at 190 degrees for 7-10 minutes on one tray at a time, until they are golden brown. After 3-5 minutes of baking, turn the tray to ensure even baking.
7
Remove the baking tray from the oven and let the gingerbread cool slightly.
8
Completely cooled gingerbreads can be decorated with icing. For this, beat sifted powdered sugar and softened butter with a mixer on medium speed, add milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence, and a pinch of salt, and mix until smooth. Check the consistency of the icing and add more powdered sugar or milk if necessary.
- Sugar: 150 g
- Butter: 85 g
- Salt: 0.3 teaspoon
- Vanillin: 1 teaspoon
9
The eyes of the little people and the buttons on their suits can be made of raisins.