FAMILY FUN WITH GINGERBREAD

Family Features

Sweet and slightly spicy, the taste of ginger has a way of stirring up fond memories of the holiday season. Imagine the warm aroma of gingerbread, slip back into childhood and remember fun-filled family gatherings in the kitchen. Embrace this classic flavor by baking up a trio of treats this year. With one basic ginger bread dough recipe, three festive cookie variations are just a mixing bowl away. Whether the classic ginger bread man or a fun new interpretation inspired by the introduction of a chocolate “drop,” these flavor-packed treats merit a place in tomorrow’s memories of this holiday season.

Gingerbread inspires whimsical creations for the entire family, and it’s easy to make this favorite sweet the centerpiece of any holiday gathering. The McCormick Kitchens suggest enlisting helpers of all ages to help mix and measure recipe ingredients and lend a hand with the decorating, for a fun holiday activity.

To get started, use the basic dough recipe to roll out a batch of Gingerbread Men. After baking, let the kids help pipe on simple vanilla frosting and decorate with traditional cinnamon candies or raisins.

Then, using the same dough recipe, bake up White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies, featuring a white chocolate striped “drop” in the center of the ginger cookie. Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Cr ®me round out the trio, with marshmallow and lemon cream sandwiched between two ginger cookies.

For more holiday recipe ideas, visit www.McCormick.com.

Gingerbread Cookie Dough

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Refrigerate: 4 hours

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons McCormick Æ Ground Ginger

1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1‚Ñ4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg

1‚Ñ4 teaspoon salt

3‚Ñ4 cup (11‚Ñ2 sticks) butter, softened

3‚Ñ4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1‚Ñ2 cup molasses

1 egg

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.

Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap.

Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

Gingerbread Men

Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.

Roll dough to 1‚Ñ4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 8 to 10 min utes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies with Colorful Royal Icing or as desired.

Makes 2 dozen

Recipe and decorating ideas can be found at www.McCormick.com

White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies

1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough

60 white and milk chocolate swirled kiss-shaped candies

Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granu lated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Immediately press a chocolate candy into center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Store cookies in airtight container up to 3 days.

Makes 5 dozen

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Cr ®me

1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough

1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream

1‚Ñ4 cup (1‚Ñ2 stick) butter, softened

4 ounces (1‚Ñ2 package) cream cheese, softened

1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Lemon Extract

1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granu lated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake in preheated 350-degree oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Mix marshmallow cream, butter, cream cheese and extract in medium bowl until well blended. To assemble whoopie pies, place about 1 table spoon filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Roll sides of whoopie pies in crushed candy. Repeat with remaining cookies. Refrig erate whoopie pies between layers of wax paper in airtight container up to 5 days.

Makes 21‚Ñ2 dozen

Flavor Variations: Whoopie pies can also be rolled in chopped pistachio nuts, toasted sliced almonds or mini chocolate chips.

You can also use the Gingerbread Cookie Dough to prepare Caramel Pecan Gingerbread Thumbprints and Almond Gingerbread Cookies.

Visit www.McCormick.com for the recipes.

SIMPLE TIPS FOR BAKING SUCCESS

UPlan ahead. Review the recipe before you are ready to bake. Having time to make sure butter and cream cheese is at room temperature before you start will ensure it’s easy to cream resulting in light, fluffy batter or filling.

UKeep cool. Take time to clean and cool the baking sheets between each batch to prevent the next batch of cookies from spreading or sticking to the pan.

UPatience will be rewarded. Make sure your holiday cookies are completely cooled to room temperature before you begin applying any frosting or decoration.

Adding frosting to warm cookies will cause the frosting to melt and spread.