Classic Gingerbread Cookies–Decorated 3 Ways

How was your Thanksgiving celebration yesterday?  Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed time with your family and friends.  As we put the left over roasted turkey into the fridge, it’s also time to take the Christmas tree and ornaments out from the storage!  Okay, maybe not exactly at the same time, but you know what I mean!  We’re moving on to the next holiday, Christmas! It’s definitely one of my favorite holidays of the year!



To put you into the holiday mood, let me share with you these festive and adorable Classic Gingerbread Cookies!   I decorated them in three different ways while using the same cookie dough as the base.  As I was baking these cookies, the house smelled like a little bakery shop!  The pungent and earthy spices in these cookies are amazing.  The deep and rich aroma of the molasses is undeniable in these gingerbread cookies!  The wonderful aromas and flavors of spices simply reminded me of the wonderful time of Christmas! 



I certainly felt that Christmas came early this year!  My Little Girl and I spent a fun afternoon decorating these cookies together!  It’s simply therapeutic to sit back, pipe out icing, and decorate these cuties with sprinkles (okay, maybe a little cookie tasting in between as well)!  It was amazing to see the creativity shown on My Little Girl’s cookies.   



A few months ago, I shared these Home Sweet Home 3D Sugar Cookie with you for Valentine’s Day.  They were just as much fun to make and I used the same cookie cutter for these Mini Gingerbread House Cookies (see picture above).  This time, I used some edible star sprinkles on the roof, silver dragees for the door frame, and peppermint candy canes sprinkles to decorate the walls of the house.  It was so whimsical that I felt like a little fairy sprinkling pixie dust!  I’ll list the tools and ingredients that I used at the bottom of this post for your convenience. 



Of course, we've got to have the classic Gingerbread Man...and his family as well!  How can we not have them!?  I had 2 different sizes of gingerbread man cookie cutters and I’ll list the different bake times on all different cutters in the recipe below for your convenience.



Last but not least, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!  They are definitely my favorites!  And guess what, you don’t need a separate cookie cutter for them!  Take a closer look, they are the little gingerbread man flipped up side down.  Watch the video tutorial above to see how I  made them.  These are just way too cute!  With all these three different decorated cookies, they sure looked like a winter wonderland in my house. 



I hope you enjoy today's recipe and tutorial.  Stayed tuned for more fun recipe and tutorial next week.  If you haven’t entered the Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas Craft Book giveaway yet, there’s still time to do so.  You sure don’t want to miss it!  Until next time, have a wonderful Friends and Family Friday!       


Tools and Ingredients Used:

3D Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter (Click here for more information)
Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter Set (Click here for more information)
Silver Dragees (Click here for more information)
Candy Cane Sprinkles (Click here for more information)
Pink Pearl Sprinkle for Cheeks (Click here for more information)
Red Heart Sprinkle for Bow-tie (Click here for more information)
Red Pearl Dragees For nose (Click here for more information)
Wilton #2 Small Round Piping Tip for Icing (Click here for more information)
Silpat (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets (Click here for more information)
Food Decorating Tongs/Tweezers (Click here for more information)
Ground Cinnamon (Click here for more information)
Organic Ground Ginger (Click here for more information)
Organic Ground Cloves (Click here for more information)
Organic Unsulphured Molasses (Click here for more information)
Kerrygold Salted Butter (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract (Click here for more information)
Candied Coated Chocolate (Click here for more information)




Classic Gingerbread Cookies:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 ounces (1 stick) salted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoons ground cloves
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in spices, the egg, and molasses.

Turn mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture, until just combined. Divide dough in half, shape each one into a disk, and wrap with plastic wrap. Chill for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpats. Lightly dust flour on a clean surface and roll the dough into 1/8-inch thick.

Stamp out gingerbread man or gingerbread house shapes with cookie cutters. Transfer to prepared baking sheets. Bake until crisp and slightly golden on the bottom. I baked the small gingerbread man ones (1 1/2 x 2-inch) for 10 minutes; the gingerbread house pieces for 12 minutes, and the medium/large gingerbread man ones (2 2/4 x 3 ½-inch) for 15 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire racks.

Decorate with royal icing (Recipe Followed) and have fun!
 
Royal Icing Recipe:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
1/4 cup warm water
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, whisk all ingredients together until well incorporated and no lumps. Place in small piping bag with a small round tip to decorate your cookies.
 
 

Lemon Raspberry Pastry Flower

Imagine, waking up to a plate of these gorgeous pastries on your holiday breakfast table?  It’ll definitely be a beautiful way to start your day on the right note!  To me, these are perfect afternoon treats and desserts, regardless of holiday or not. 



This flower shaped pastry may seem complicated to prepare because they look so fancy!   However, the steps are really quite simple!  Check out my video tutorial above and you would agree with me too.  If you plan to serve these pastries on Thanksgiving or Christmas morning, you can even make them ahead of time!  Simply reheat them in the oven or toaster the next morning and you’re all set.  Oh, and you’re very welcome!



To me, raspberries and lemon compliment each other really well.  So, I added some lemon juice and lemon zest in the cream cheese filling inside these pastries.  They are sweet and tart at the same time.  The citrus goes so well with the floral aroma of the raspberries!  The pastry is flaky, buttery, and oh so yummy!  The crust is super crunchy; yet the inside is smooth and creamy from the cream cheese filling.  Both flavor and texture contrast each other in the best possible way!



I hope you’ll give this recipe a try soon!  Wish you all a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving celebration next week!  Have a Fancy Pastry Friday!




Ingredients and Tools Used:

Puff Pastry  (Click here for more information)
Silpat  (Click here for more information)
Cooling Racks  (Click here for more information)
Baking Sheets  (Click here for more information)
Cream Cheese  (Click here for more information)
Pizza Wheel  (Click here for more information)
Microplane  Zester (Click here for more information)
Organic Vanilla Extract  (Click here for more information)

Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas Review and Giveaway - How to Wrap Gift Cards

Are you ready for the holiday seasons?  I’m quite excited this year as we’ll have some relatives visiting from overseas to spend the holidays with us.  It’ll definitely be a wonderful family reunion and great celebration!  I can’t wait!  What are your family traditions for the holidays?  For my family, gift exchange is one of our favorite tradition during Christmas.  It does not have to be expensive gifts as it is always the thoughts that matter the most!  I personally like giving out homemade gifts.  Or, gifts that are useful and practical.  If you wrap or package your gifts nicely, it’ll definitely elevate the appeal of your gifts.  Today, I’m excited to share the review with you on the “Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas” craft book, the Chinese Silk wrapping paper, and the Japanese Kimono wrapping paper!  



If you haven’t check out the video tutorial above, don’t forget to do so.  In the video, I’ll show you how to wrap and package your gift cards, in a unique and personal way.  Did I say I like practical gifts that people can use?  Yes!  Handing out gift cards to the recipients’ favorite stores are some of my favorite gift giving ideas!



I love that the “Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas” books comes with colorful step-by-step pictorial!  With the illustrative photos and easy instructions in this craft book you can:

• Find interesting ways to use almost any kind of paper
• Creatively and neatly wrap gifts of any size, shape and purpose
• Make containers such as bags, boxes, unique envelopes, and even a pencil case
• Add a little romance with sealing wax, washi tape, custom-made tags and more
• Use personally significant embellishments to make every gift a personal conversation between you and the receiver

The Chinese Silk wrapping paper, and the Japanese Kimono wrapping paper are among the highest quality of wrapping paper that I’ve ever used.  They are thick and sturdy.  Definitely won’t rip or tear during the wrapping process, which is important to me!  The unique printing truly resemble the Chinese Silk and the Kimono prints on garments.  I’m totally in love!  



Check out this adorable Christmas Tree wrapping above!  I can’t wait to surprise my kids with this wrapping method! 



I always have trouble wrapping cylinder shaped objects!  Now, this wrapping method will come to the rescue!  It’ll be perfect for homemade canning goodies!  Yay!  Another wonderful news is that the generous people at Tuttle Publishing is sponsoring a giveaway for you! 

Here is the Giveaway details:

One lucky uTry.it reader (open to U.S. residence only) will win a copy of “Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas” craft book, and one package of wrapping paper (winner’s choice).  Choose from the Chinese Silk wrapping paper, OR the Japanese Kimono wrapping paper!   

To enter:
1) Simply click here to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. 
2) Give my video a "thumb's up". 
3) Then, leave a comment below to let me know that you’ve subscribed to my YouTube channel.  If you’ve already subscribed to my YouTube channel before this giveaway, simply let me know in the comment and you’re entered!

*Gift card and other tools appeared in the video tutorial are NOT included in the giveaway.

All entries must be received by December 4th, 2016 mid-night PST.  Winner will be selected through Random.org and announced shortly after the giveaway is closed.

Good Luck!


Product links in this review:

Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas:
https://goo.gl/cbmgD2

Chinese Silk Wrapping Paper:
https://goo.gl/tSnOAw

Japanese Kimono Wrapping Paper:

https://goo.gl/jFHAxY



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the Perfect Gift Wrapping Ideas and a package of the Chinese Silk wrapping paper and the Japanese Kimono wrapping paper free of charge for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are 100% my own and always will be. 

Wish Upon A Star - Rilakkuma Bear Bento

If my memory serves me right, playing with food was one of the big “no no” when I was young!  Maybe because of culture?  Or maybe different generations?  I don’t know.  Probably because my parents don’t want us to ended up wasting food.  How about you?  Were you allowed to play with food when you were young?  Well, I’m just glad that I can play with my food everyday in the kitchen now!  Oh, and of course, my kids are encouraged to do so as well!  After all, I think that’s a great learning and bonding time for us as a family.  Plus, the kiddos are definitely enjoying the food more if they prepare it themselves.  If you haven’t watch the video above, go ahead and check it out.  My kids and I had a good laugh after they urged me to add on the sound effects!   



We enjoyed this Rilakkuma Bear dinner so much!  And the great news is that you can easily pack it into a bento box for lunch as well.  The Rilakkuma Bear was made with rice and a little soy sauce (for the brown color).  You can use brown rice instead and omit the soy sauce if you prefer.  You’ve got to watch the video to find out how to make the eggy blanky though.  It’s easier to make than you think.  Isn’t it super adorable with the flower and heart shape patterns?  I served the rice on a bed of lettuce, some grape tomatoes, and a Sweet and Savory Chicken Drumstick on the side.  Chick here for the Chicken Drumstick recipe.  These chicken drumsticks are one of my family’s favorites and I make them quite often.   
 

Tucking this little bear in reminded me of tucking my kiddos in every night!  They are equally adorable!  Don’t forget to make a wish upon the star and have a sweet dream!  May all your wishes come true!  Have a Funny and fascinated Friday!

Ingredients and Tools used:
Light Soy Sauce (Click here for product information)
Nori (seaweed) (Click here for product information)
Food Decorating Tongs/Tweezers (Click here for product information)
Zojirushi Rice Cooker (Click here for product information)
Japanese Short Grain Rice (Click here for product information)
Small Cookie Cutter Set (Click here for product information)
Bento Cutter and Tongs Set (Click here for product information)