*This is not an exaggeration. Hands down, these are the best Gingerbread cookies I've ever had. And many friends and family agree!* Not many grandmas have Facebook pages created on behalf of things they've said...But mine does.
I'm pretty sure I've talked about her before on the blog, and her name is Grandma B. Every so often she will come out to visit my little family and spend a few days. It's always an adventure. There are always memories made. And you never forget when Grandma B. visits. Ever.
From the second you open the door you hear squeals of delight from three tiny girls, and a "Ooooooohhhh hellOOO!", from Grandma B. herself. Her slight Argentine accent peaks through as she talks about the weather in Las Vegas and how beautiful it really is. She then proceeds to walk around the house stating, "Ok, let's see what's new around here.", as she examines each piece of furniture/decor debating whether that was here last time she stayed with us.
She brings with her chamomile tea, english muffins, and orange marmalade for her to have for breakfast each morning, alongside the LA Times. She talks about uncomfortable positions in politics and asks if I need eye makeup for Christmas since she hasn't seen me wear any in the 2 days she's been here.
My girls love to get her attention by making the loudest noise possible, which of course she loves. She always asks the right questions, like about my breasts and time of the month schedule. Quickly followed by remarking in front of the kids how hard it must be for me to hide the elf on the shelf every morning. Don't worry, they didn't catch on. They also missed when she asked them if they saw the real Santa at our church Christmas party or a pretend one...
And each times she visits, we laugh, we play, and we eat lots of food. (She also folds my laundry!!) It might be uncomfortable at times, and I probably will never use the word breasts again, but isn't that what the holidays are all about?! Awkward, fun, memorable, uncomfortable, family togetherness.
And dessert.
Because if there is one thing I did inherit from my grandmother it's that there must always be something to eat for dessert after breakfast lunch dinner. No matter what.
And what better way to honor that than with my mom's gingerbread cookies! After all, it's all about family.
And breasts.
Mom's Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- (Royal Icing)
- 6 cups all purpose flour, sifted
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 c. dark brown sugar, packed
- 4 tsp. ground ginger
- 4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cloves
- 1 tsp. finely ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 c. unsulfured molasses
- (Royal Icing)
- 1/4 c. merengue powder
- 4 c. powdered sugar
- 1/2 c. cold water
Instructions
- In a bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a mixer, beat together the butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Mix in the spices and salt, then the eggs, followed by the molasses.
- Add flour mixture slowly.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out a portion of the dough, cut into desired shapes, and place on baking sheet. (Use parchment paper!)
- Chill the shapes for 20 minutes.
- Bake for 8 minutes, or until golden. Do no overtake!
- Cool on a wire rack, and frost when completely cool.
- (Royal Icing)
- Beat all ingredients together. Dye your color of choice.
3.3.3077
Obviously my girls inherited my impeccable cookie decorating skills, not to toot my own horn or anything...
I promise you, despite the heavy sprinkle gear and hot pink frosting, these cookies are irresistible to anyone! Even when Grandma B. says, "well I'll be the judge of that!"
I hope your holidays are as awkward as mine! ;-)