Ellen's Fiery Gingerbread Men Delights
These Fiery Gingerbread Men Delights are a beloved holiday tradition that brings nostalgia and warmth during the Christmas season. My grandchildren and I have spent countless joyful afternoons creating these spicy, delightful cookies together. The combination of warming spices and a hint of heat creates a unique twist on classic gingerbread that will excite your taste buds. Perfect for holiday gatherings, gifting, or simply indulging in yourself, these playful treats are sure to bring smiles to all ages. Try dipping them in chocolate for a festive surprise during Easter celebrations!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
margarine
1/2 cup (softened)
sugar
1/2 cup (granulated)
molasses
1/2 cup (unsulfured)
egg yolk
1 (large)
flour
2 cups (all-purpose)
salt
1/2 teaspoon
baking powder
1/2 teaspoon
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
clove
1 teaspoon (ground)
ginger
1 teaspoon (ground)
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the margarine and sugar until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
2
Add the molasses and egg yolk to the creamed mixture, blending until thoroughly combined.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.
4
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until everything is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth.
5
Cover the dough with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to make it easier to roll out.
6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
7
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
8
Use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired gingerbread shapes.
9
Place the shaped cookies on ungreased cookie sheets, ensuring they are spaced at least 2 inches apart.
10
Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are firm and just beginning to darken.
11
Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
12
Once cooled, frost and decorate with your favorite icing and sprinkles. For an optional twist, melt some chocolate and dip the gingerbread men for a decadent treat, especially delightful during the Easter season.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Ellen's Fiery Gingerbread Men Delights.
What makes these gingerbread men fiery?
The fiery flavor comes from a combination of warming spices including cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.
How much margarine is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of softened margarine.
What type of molasses should I use?
You should use 1/2 cup of unsulfured molasses.
Does this recipe use a whole egg?
No, the recipe specifically uses one large egg yolk.
How much flour is needed for the dough?
You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What is the first step in preparing the dough?
The first step is to cream together the margarine and sugar using an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
Which spices are included in the dry ingredients?
The dry ingredients include cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg.
How long should the gingerbread dough be chilled?
The dough should be covered with plastic wrap and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
Why does the dough need to be chilled?
Chilling the dough makes it much easier to roll out.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How thick should I roll out the gingerbread dough?
Roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.
How far apart should I space the cookies on the sheet?
The cookies should be spaced at least 2 inches apart on the cookie sheet.
Should I grease the cookie sheets?
No, the instructions specify placing the cookies on ungreased cookie sheets.
What is the recommended baking time?
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes.
How do I know when the gingerbread men are done baking?
The cookies are done when the edges are firm and just beginning to darken.
Where should the cookies cool after baking?
Remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
How can I decorate these gingerbread men?
Once cooled, you can frost and decorate them with your favorite icing and sprinkles.
Is there a special variation for Easter?
Yes, you can melt chocolate and dip the gingerbread men for a festive Easter surprise.
What type of sugar is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of granulated sugar.
How much baking soda is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Is baking powder used in this gingerbread recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder.
What amount of salt is added to the dry mixture?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
What are the specific measurements for the ginger and cloves?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground ginger and 1 teaspoon of ground cloves.
What amount of cinnamon and nutmeg are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg.
What kind of texture should the creamed margarine and sugar have?
The mixture should be creamed until it is smooth and fluffy.
How should the dry ingredients be combined?
Whisk together the flour, salt, leavening agents, and spices in a separate bowl.
Can I use cookie cutters for this recipe?
Yes, use cookie cutters to cut the dough into your desired gingerbread shapes after rolling.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, the description mentions it is a beloved holiday tradition for grandchildren and family.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include gingerbread, cookies, dessert, holiday, Christmas, spicy, chocolate dipped, and Easter.