Mad about Gingerbread Cookies
In my opinion, gingerbread cookies are to Christmas, what pineapple tarts are to the Chinese Lunar New Year. But to be perfectly honest, I didn’t make any last Christmas and the main reason why I’m making them this year is an order for a corporate client.
When I do make gingerbread cookies, I actually find the entire process of kneading, rolling out, cutting and baking the dough a lot of fun. But the most enjoyable part for me is the decorating. There are really so many different ways to decorate a gingerbread cookie and every cookie represents a chance to try out a new idea.
This year, I came across the idea for an edible Christmas tree in several places. I first saw it on the Wilton website, subsequently on Jocelyn’s blog and most recently on Lynn’s blog.
It seemed like an easy enough project with impressive looking results, so I went ahead and made one (ok, two) small tree(s) as well. The icing turned out a little more time consuming than I’d expected, but the finished product certainly justified the effort.
There’s no denying that a large edible gingerbread tree would make a wonderful table centrepiece for that Christmas brunch or dinner party. It would also make a lovely gift, but if you do decide to give it a go, be forewarned that while the piping process isn’t rocket science, it does require some patience!
December 3rd, 2007 at 6:50 pm
My teenage sister will help me with the baking this year and she will go nuts over these - I’m gonna send her the link now!
I have never made gingerbread cookies, would you mind sharing the recipe?
December 4th, 2007 at 12:11 am
Karen,
I am a sucker for food that tastes good but is also aesthetically pleasing. These trees are DARLING! Do you have any tips for icing and would you mind sharing your ginger tree cookie and icing recipes? I would be so grateful!
Thanks from Texas!
Janna
December 4th, 2007 at 3:38 am
Oh my goodness Karen, what a beautiful christmas tree. Impressive is truly the right word!
December 4th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I love gingerbread cookies! I haven’t made them in so long - in fact, I don’t have my cookie cutters with me! I’ll have to go out and buy one so I can make some and take them into work. Mmm, yum!
December 4th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
The cutest gingerbread boys and girls I have seen..ever!
I borrowed your surprise macaron idea last week and posted about it yesterday and gave you due credit and link for it. Thank you because I like eating them again now!!
December 4th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Great work as usual Karen!!
I love the plump reindeer in the last photo…heehee…
December 5th, 2007 at 10:56 pm
What beautiful gingerbread!! I love the trees too…I think I shall make a very large tree to put on a dessert buffet. Thanks for the idea! Also, I just found your blog and it is absolutely wonderful- you are very tanlented!
December 6th, 2007 at 12:56 am
i just discovered your site! im totally smitten with your work of art…those gingerbread kiddies look really cute….i wont even dare to eat them! want them to stay that way
December 6th, 2007 at 9:27 am
Patricia & Janna: Thank you! I used the recipe here with some adjustments. Do read the reviews for tips and what worked for others who’ve tried the recipe.
Katie: I’m sure your co-workers would enjoy them too. :o)
Helen: Thank you for linking back to me! :o)
Veron, Katia, Stef and Dhanggit: Thank you for your wonderful compliments!
December 6th, 2007 at 7:08 pm
I’m checking the link right now - thank you so much for sharing!
December 6th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Wow, very cute gingerbread and xmas tree cookies. They look so outstanding against the red background.
December 6th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Patricia: You’re most welcome.
didally: Thank you! They taste pretty good too. :o)
December 7th, 2007 at 6:33 am
eeeee… these r SO adorable!
my royal icing’s never the right consistency (either too runny or too stiff) or i’d try n make these too.. the great thing is, these look just as yummy as they look cute..
December 7th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Hi. I was wondering if you sell any of your bakes?
I really love this and it would be great to share it among my friends and so forth. Wondering if you could bake and sell me?
thanks.
December 8th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
You are really MAD. This looks fantastic, not to mention the photos…
December 12th, 2007 at 8:09 am
I think those are the most meticulously-decorated gingerbread cookies I have ever seen! Great job!
December 12th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
These are adorable…I always find myself making terrible gingerbread, I’m going to try this.
December 12th, 2007 at 8:36 pm
What beautiful pictures - the red is a beautiful contrast! What was your frosting recipe - the designs are so intricate it must have been easy to work with!
December 13th, 2007 at 12:58 am
Your pictures are gorgeous…and making me very hungry.
December 13th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
These are very beautiful cookies and I absolutely LOVE the star tree idea. What a wonderful presentation. I just found your blog and am happy to say i will be reading it regularly. Congratulations on a beautiful site!
December 13th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Wow, absolutely gorgeous! Your cookies look very pretty…
Cheers,
Rosa
December 14th, 2007 at 9:22 am
Wow, I don’t think I would have the patience to ice those trees, but the result does pay off they look incredible.
Also just wanted to let you know that you have been given the Yummy blog award. Details are here: http://ilovemilkandcookies.blogspot.com/2007/12/mad-about-you.html
December 14th, 2007 at 9:24 am
Blog hopping and I came across yours! What beautiful baking! U r a real talented baker! =)
December 14th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments!
Sara: I used royal icing.
Jen: Thank you so much for the award! I’m right in the midst of an insane Christmas baking schedule and will probably need some time to pass the award on. Hope that’s all right! :o(
December 23rd, 2007 at 5:02 am
Wow I am so impressed. All your gingerbread creations look fantastic.
February 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Divinos!!!, felicitaciones por tu blog, es una fiesta para los sentidos!!!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Hi Karen!
All the cookies look absolutely scrumptious! I’m planning on baking the Lebkuchen…i absolutely love them…I too eat them when i’m in Germany visiting:) Do i necessarily need the Back-Oblaten or can i do without? I’m in Finland right now and I’m not sure if I can find them here.
Thanks!
October 12th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
Hi Karen
I like the shape of your gingerbread cutter. May I know where did you get it from?
June 2nd, 2009 at 5:00 am
Hi Karen,
I was wondering if you could tell me where you found the recipe and templates for making the gingerbread christmas tree? If so would you be willing to share those with me?
Looking forward to your reply.
June 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Vicki: There isn’t any template for the gingerbread tree. I used a set of different sized star shaped cookie cutters. The piping is done freehand. Any gingerbread cookie recipe would work fine - preferably one that doesn’t make soft gingerbread cookies.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 am
So I’m seeing that you have 11 stars total. Do you have anything in between the stars or just icing and then setting each one on top of the other? How many different sizes do you think you used?
I’ve never made this and was thinking I might try to teach it during the holidays but also haven’t really seen any instructions around so thought I’d try to pick your brain. I hope you don’t mind?
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:32 am
Not sure if my previous post went through. Not sure why is says “your comment is awaiting moderation”.
Looking forward to your reply.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Vicki: Comments on this blog are moderated and I work full-time, so I don’t check for new comments more than once a day.
It’s really up to you to decide how many different sizes you want. I probably used 3 - 4, I can’t remember. If you don’t know where to start, Wilton has a kit to make a similar 3D Christmas tree. Please follow the Wilton link in the blog entry above. Good luck!
June 4th, 2009 at 2:48 am
GReat thank you.
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
wtf is a pineapple tart? …were you trying to downplay gingerbread cookies.. or? (really cute cookies though)
December 17th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
Hello there ! Could you tell me the icing recipe, please? I’d really like to know it, because it looks great !
Thank you anyway!
Have a lovely Christmas !
December 18th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Alina RO: You can use this Wilton recipe for the icing.