Mrs. Claus's Secret: The Ultimate Gingerbread Recipe Revealed!

Hello, my dear baking enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered how Mrs. Claus makes those irresistibly delicious gingerbread cookies that Santa (and all the hardworking elves!) adore? Well, wonder no more! The North Pole's first lady has generously shared her top-secret recipe, and I'm thrilled to pass it along for you to bake up some Christmas magic in your own kitchen.

Mrs. Claus's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated white sugar

• 1 cup dark molasses

• 1 large egg

• 4 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For Decorating (Optional):

• Royal icing

• Sprinkles

• Candies

Instructions

1. Cream together butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and white sugar until light and fluffy.

2. Whisk in molasses and egg: Add the molasses and egg, and beat until well combined.

3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda, and salt.

4. Create the dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.

5. Chill it out: Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight).

6. Preheat and Roll: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.

7. Cut those shapes!: Use cookie cutters to create festive shapes (gingerbread people, stars, snowflakes, etc.).

8. Bake and cool: Bake on parchment-lined baking sheets for 10-12 minutes, or until edges are set. Let cool completely on baking sheets before decorating.

9. Get creative!: Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, and your favorite candies.

Mrs. Claus's Baking Tips:

• Don't skimp on the spices: Freshly ground spices will give your gingerbread the best flavor.

• Chill thoroughly: Chilling the dough prevents the cookies from spreading too much during baking.

• Have fun with decorating: Let your imagination run wild! Decorating gingerbread cookies is a great way to get creative and bring the family together.

Share the Love

Don't forget to set aside a batch of these tasty treats for Santa on Christmas Eve! They make the perfect pairing with a tall glass of milk after a long night of delivering presents. Snap some photos of your beautiful creations and share them on social media using #thenorthpoleexperience #MrsClausKitchen. We can't wait to see your gingerbread masterpieces!