Spiced Cocoa Gingerbread Delight
Transform your holiday baking with these Spiced Cocoa Gingerbread Delights! Combining the rich flavors of cocoa and traditional gingerbread spices, these cookies offer a festive twist that everybody will love. Perfect for decorating with icing or a subtle dusting of powdered sugar, they'll make your holiday gatherings even sweeter. Cut them out with your favorite cookie cutters and watch as they disappear from the cookie platter in no time. This delightful recipe, likely stumbled upon in a cherished Land O' Lakes cookbook, brings warmth and joy to any occasion.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
butter or margarine
1/4 cup (softened)
shortening
2 tablespoons (none)
brown sugar
1/3 cup (packed)
molasses
1/4 cup (none)
egg
1 (beaten)
all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (none)
unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup (sifted)
baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (none)
ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon (none)
powdered sugar
4 cups (for icing)
milk
2 tablespoons (for icing)
almond or lemon extract
1 teaspoon (for icing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter or margarine, shortening, brown sugar, and molasses until smooth and fluffy.
3
Add the egg to the creamed mixture and beat until light and well incorporated.
4
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ground cloves until combined.
5
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the dough is smooth. Be careful not to overmix.
6
Cover the dough and refrigerate for about 30 minutes or until firm to handle.
7
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch. Use cookie cutters to cut out your shapes.
8
Arrange the cut cookies on the prepared cookie sheets, placing them about 2 inches apart.
9
Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies feel firm to the touch.
10
Allow the cookies to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
11
To make the decorator icing, combine 4 cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of milk in a large bowl. Mix until smooth, then add 1 teaspoon of almond or lemon extract. Adjust the consistency with additional milk as needed until smooth and glossy.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spiced Cocoa Gingerbread Delight?
It is a festive holiday cookie that combines the rich flavors of cocoa with traditional gingerbread spices.
What makes this recipe unique?
This recipe offers a chocolatey twist on the classic gingerbread cookie by incorporating unsweetened cocoa powder.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How should I prepare the cookie sheets?
You should lightly grease the cookie sheets or line them with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
What are the main wet ingredients to cream together?
The softened butter or margarine, shortening, brown sugar, and molasses should be creamed together until smooth and fluffy.
When should the egg be added to the mixture?
Add the egg to the creamed mixture after the fats and sugars are combined, then beat until light and well incorporated.
Which dry ingredients are included in the recipe?
The dry ingredients include all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
Should the cocoa powder be sifted?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of sifted unsweetened cocoa powder.
How should the dry and wet mixtures be combined?
Gradually blend the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until the dough is smooth.
Why shouldn't I overmix the dough?
Overmixing can affect the texture of the cookies; it is best to mix just until smooth.
Is chilling the dough necessary?
Yes, the dough should be covered and refrigerated until it is firm enough to handle.
How long should the dough be refrigerated?
The dough should be chilled for about 30 minutes.
To what thickness should the dough be rolled out?
Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
How far apart should the cookies be placed on the sheet?
Arrange the cut cookies about 2 inches apart on the prepared sheets.
How long do these cookies need to bake?
The cookies should bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
How do I know when the cookies are finished baking?
The cookies are done when they feel firm to the touch.
What is the cooling process for these cookies?
Allow them to cool on the sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
What ingredients are needed for the decorator icing?
The icing requires 4 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk, and 1 teaspoon of extract.
Which extracts are suggested for the icing flavor?
You can use either almond or lemon extract for the icing.
How can I adjust the consistency of the icing?
You can adjust the consistency by adding additional milk as needed until the icing is smooth.
What is the suggested icing texture?
The icing should be mixed until it is smooth, glossy, and easy to use for decorating.
Can I use cookie cutters with this dough?
Yes, this dough is perfect for cutting into shapes with your favorite cookie cutters.
What are the recommended spices for this recipe?
The recipe uses a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves.
How much molasses is used?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of molasses.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Yes, the recipe allows for either softened butter or margarine.
What type of sugar is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar for the dough.
How many cups of flour are required?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour.
Is salt included in the dough?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is included in the dry ingredient mixture.
What is the purpose of baking soda in this recipe?
Baking soda acts as a leavening agent to help the cookies rise slightly.
Where did this recipe likely originate?
The description suggests this recipe was likely found in a cherished Land O' Lakes cookbook.