Page 32 - Indulge November 2017
P. 32
SUGAR & SPICE:
MAKE GINGERBREAD A HOLIDAY TRADITION
The holiday season is a stand mixer fitted with the paddle sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
dominated by tradition. attachment, beat the butter on medium- Alternatively, using the mold as a guide,
Families typically have their own high speed until creamy. Slowly add the cut around it with a small knife, flip the
unique traditions, but certain granulated sugar and mix on medium mold over so the design is facing you,
practices are so widely popular that speed until the mixture is completely and place the dough over it, pressing it
they have become synonymous with smooth and soft. Stop the mixer and into the design. Unmold the shapes onto
the holiday season. Such is the scrape down the sides of the bowl with the prepared baking sheet, leaving about
case with certain foods, including a rubber spatula as needed. Add the egg 1 inch between them.
gingerbread cookies. Gingerbread and mix well.
cookies can be enjoyed year-round, If using a patterned rolling pin,
but many people only enjoy this Add the molasses and corn syrup lightly dust the lined baking sheet with
tasty treat during the holiday season. and beat until incorporated. Stop the flour and transfer the dough to the pan.
For those who can’t wait to indulge mixer again and scrape down the sides Lightly dust the top of the dough with
in gingerbread cookies this year, of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and flour and roll it into a rectangle about
consider this recipe for “Soft Glazed beat on low speed until a dough forms 1/3-inch thick with a plain pin. Then,
Gingerbread” from Elisabeth M. that pulls away from the sides of the using the patterned pin, roll over the
Prueitt and Chad Robertson’s “Tartine” bowl and all the ingredients are well dough with enough pressure to ensure
(Chronicle Books). incorporated. Remove the dough from a clear impression of the design. Trim
the bowl, flatten it on a large piece of the sides with a small knife. It is not
SOFT GLAZED GINGERBREAD plastic wrap into a rectangle about 1 necessary to cut into smaller sizes
Yields 12 to 20 cookies inch thick, cover the dough with the before baking.
plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
DOUGH Bake the cookies until lightly golden
3¾ cups all-purpose flour Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a along the sides but still soft to the touch
1 tablespoon cocoa powder baking sheet with parchment paper on a in the centers, 7 to 15 minutes. The
4 teaspoons ground ginger nonstick liner. timing will depend on the size of the
1½ teaspoons ground cloves individual cookies, or if you have made a
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Unwrap the dough and place on a single large patterned piece that will be
1/2 teaspoon baking soda floured work surface. If using a plaque cut after baking.
1 teaspoon salt with a design, roll out the dough 1/3-
1¼ teaspoon freshly ground inch thick, lightly dust the top with flour, While the cookies are baking,
black pepper press your cookie molds over the dough, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl,
1 cup unsalted butter, and then cut out the shapes with a small whisk together the confectioners’ sugar
knife and place on the prepared baking and water until smooth.
at room temperature
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons When the cookies are ready,
granulated sugar remove from the oven and let cool in
1 large egg the pan on a wire rack for about 10
1/2 cup blackstrap or other minutes. Then, while the cookies are
still warm, using even strokes, brush a
dark molasses light coat of glaze on the top of each
2 tablespoons light corn syrup cookie, evenly covering it. Let the
cookies cool completely. When the
GLAZE glaze dries, it should leave a shiny,
1 cup confectioners’ sugar opaque finish. If you have used a
2 tablespoons water patterned pin to make a single large
plaque, cut into the desired sizes with
To make the dough, stir together a small, very sharp knife. The cookies
the flour, cocoa powder, ginger, cloves, will keep in an airtight container in a
cinnamon, baking soda, salt and pepper cool place for about 2 weeks. They do
in a mixing bowl. Set aside. Using not freeze well.
32 | INDULGE LV • NOVEMBER 2017
