Gingerbread Valentines? Why not? If someone you love happens to L-O-V-E gingerbread, then gingerbread cookies are the best sweet treat you can give them for Valentine’s Day.
“I know that gingerbread is beneficial to your health because I always feel better when I eat a gingerbread cookie.” Kasha
I was not a fan of gingerbread as a child. But when I started making cookies and discovered that gingerbread was my great nephew’s favorite cookie, I knew I had to come up with the most delicious gingerbread he’d ever eaten. This cookie is the result. It is thick and soft on the inside and full of warm spices, including fresh ginger. Everyone loves it...even the baker. Happy Birthday, dear nephew!
Cookie specifics
Gingerbread. My go-to gingerbread cookie is firm on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. I roll it extra thick to ensure that it’s soft. It has a robust molasses flavor and plenty of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. I was never a gingerbread lover as a child, but this cookie won me over.
Shapes
Valentine’s Day demands a heart-shaped cookie, right?
Sizes
I used my 2½-inch classic heart shape cookie cutter for this recipe. It is my favorite size for decorating and eating!
My Family Recipe
Gingerbread. My Soft Gingerbread Cookie recipe is based on a combination of several recipes from family and friends. My goal was to make a cookie full of spices, with slightly crisp edges and soft everywhere else. This recipe is all that!
My Gingerbread Recipe
Icing & Frostings
Glaze for Piping: This glaze/icing dries hard enough that you can stack or package the cookies without damaging the embellishments. I often use it exclusively or in combination with Royal Icing. Glaze for Piping Recipe
Cookies
Gingerbread: flour, butter, dark brown sugar, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, baking powder, egg, pure vanilla extract, lemon zest, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
Royal Icing: confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Glaze for Piping: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
Sprinkles: Red heart shapes
Plate, Box or Bag?
Bags. I planned to mail these to my nephew so I wrapped them individually in clear, food-safe bags, secured with a twist tie. This also gave the cookies extra protection for the journey from my house to his.
Mailing. I mailed the cookies to my nephew using the U.S. Post Office’s Priority Mail service. I used a box provided by the USPS and lots of bubble wrap. I’m pleased to report that the cookies arrived on time and undamaged. I know they were appreciated because both my great nephew and his father (my nephew) texted me saying these were the best gingerbread cookies I’ve ever made. Gotta love that!
What I’ve learned...
Gingerbread isn’t just for Christmas cookies. The wonderful spices go well with tea or coffee any time of the year. And because gingerbread is my nephew’s favorite cookie, I always make them for him on Valentine’s Day! These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find. Grated fresh ginger adds so much flavor to this recipe that it’s hard to eat just one, no matter what your New Year’s resolution was. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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