One Pot Gingerbread

A warm winter welcome to Shari Randall! You seriously have to check out this recipe. I'm going to try it! Shari is giving away an e-copy of The Queen of Christmas, so be sure to enter at the bottom. Click where it says COMMENTS.

And don't miss the last picture. It's just precious!

By Shari Randall, who is wondering how it got to be December already!

This time of year is a feast for the senses. It brings the cozy warmth of a fluffy sweater; the sound of carols and church bells; and my favorite, the spicy aroma and taste of gingerbread.

It doesn’t seem right to bake gingerbread at any other time of the year. The scent wouldn’t marry well with spring’s flowers or summer sunscreen. Fall and winter are more appropriate since we’re turning to rich flavors like pumpkin spice, molasses, and cinnamon.

Gingerbread is also a holiday favorite because you get to play with it. What fun for children – or anyone! -  to cut out shapes and bake the spicy dough. After the cookies cool, the firm texture stands up well to the decorating efforts of little fingers.

When my girls were little they adored making gingerbread cookies and houses. I have dozens of cookie cutters to prove it. I also have one of the easiest gingerbread recipes around -- One Pot Gingerbread. You simply add all the ingredients to a large pot on the stovetop and stir. Chill the dough and then the cookie cutting party can commence.

I treated myself to some early gingerbread to get in the mood for writing my latest mystery, “The Queen of Christmas.” A magnificent gingerbread house plays a role in the story, which centers on Dagmar Smith, a formidable woman who runs a Festival of Trees fundraiser and dubs herself the Queen of Christmas, much to the annoyance of another character, who thinks she’s the Queen of Christmas. This short story is the perfect length to read on a cold winter’s evening, curled up with a hot drink and maybe a gingerbread cookie or two (or three!). Here’s a link:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081J7WDT8

Tell me: What is your favorite holiday cookie?

I’ll gift a copy of this eBook to one lucky commenter.

Wishing you peaceful moments to enjoy some reading in the midst of the holiday bustle.

ONE POT GINGERBREAD

½ cup sugar

¾ cup unsulfured molasses

1 Tbsp ground cinnamon

1 Tbsp ground ginger

½ tsp ground cloves

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

2/3 cup unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2-2/3 Tbsp), cut into pieces

½ tsp baking soda

3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 egg

Heat oven to 350. Lightly grease baking sheets.

In a large, heavy sauce pan or Dutch oven, combine sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, salt, and nutmeg. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and stir in butter pieces, let them melt completely, then add the baking soda.

Stir in egg and flour until well blended – add the flour a bit at a time. Refrigerate at least 3 hours. (At this point you could wrap the dough and freeze. Thaw in refrigerator before using.)

Roll out cold dough between two sheets of wax paper to about ¼” thick. If you like chewy cookies, roll out a bit thicker. Cut out cookies and reroll dough scraps. You may have to chill the scraps – it’s easier to work with cold dough.

Bake 12 minutes until puffed and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely before icing and decorating. Enjoy!

 

Shari Randall is the author of the Lobster Shack Mystery series. She loves travel, dancing, and all things mermaid. You can find her volunteering at her local library, walking in beautiful downtown Mystic, CT, or hunting for bargains at yard sales.

Website: http://www.sharirandallauthor.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sharirandallauthor

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