Christmas in Gingerbread Land

When we think about treats and desserts at Christmas time we think about chocolates, trifles, pavlova, fruit cakes and...

... Gingerbread biscuits! 😋

They come in all shapes and sizes, including men, trees, stars and even houses. Some are plain and others are decorated with delicious icing. 

We've put our own Ginger n Spice spin on the classic Gingerbread recipe from Australia's Best Recipes.

📷 Cyrus Crossan via Unsplash

What's in it?

For The Dough

- 125g Butter

For The Icing

- 1 Tbsp Bondi Chai Ginger n Spice, plus a little extra for dusting

- 1 Tbsp Water

- 1 Egg white

- 1 2/3 Cup Icing Sugar, sifted

- 1/4 tsp lemon juice

Equipment

- Cookie cutters

- Measuring cups and spoons

- Whisk

- Rolling pin

- Piping bag or zip-lock bag (and scissors)

- Bench mixer or hand-held electric beaters and a mixing bowl

- Large baking trays

- Baking paper

- Cling wrap

📷 Anshu A via Unsplash

How does it go together?

The Gingerbread

3.   Place butter, syrup, Bondi Chai and sugar in a saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until mixture is melted and smooth.

4.   Remove from heat. Set aside to cool for 20 minutes.
5.   Add the egg and stir to combine.

6.   Sift flour, salt and ginger over the sugar/butter mixture. Stir together until well combined.¹

7.   Divide dough into 2 portions.

8.   Shape each portion into a disc shape, wrap in cling wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
9.   Roll out 1 dough disc between 2 sheets of baking paper until 5mm thick.

10. Cut shapes from the dough using the cookie cutters. Re-roll scraps and continue to cut shapes.

11. Place on baking trays approx. 2cm apart.

12. Bake 1 tray for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Repeat for the remaining trays. 

13. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

The Icing

Hot Tips:

1.   Can be done by hand, but it will take longer, so use an electric mixer if you can. Make sure not to over-whisk the egg whites for the icing.

2.   The more icing sugar you add, the harder it will be to mix by hand, so add 1/2 tsp of hot water in small increments to loosen up the mixture. Alternatively, use an electric mixer. 

3.   If you sprinkle too much Bondi Chai over the iced biscuits and want to remove it, use a silicone pastry brush to carefully sweep away the excess.  

If you want to add a little bit extra to the icing designs on your biscuits, you can separate some of the mixture and add different food dyes, or use extra cake decorating embellishments like eyes, stars, or anything you desire. 

📷 Ksenia Yakovleva via Unsplash

What are your favourite Christmas time treats? Let us know in the comments below.