Mrs. Claus loves to bake. In fact, it’s her favorite activity other than assisting Santa in preparing for Christmas. And Santa clearly approves of her cooking achievements, as testament to his waistline.
Here’s a simple recipe for Mrs. Claus’ North Pole Gingerbread Cookies:
Ingredients:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
3/4 cup molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat well. Then, stir in the molasses and vanilla extract until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two equal portions, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of the dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes and place them on the prepared baking sheets.
Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cookies are completely cooled, you can decorate them with icing, sprinkles, or any other festive decorations of your choice.
These cookies are favorites among Santa and the elves. Occasionally Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer tries to sneak a taste. Enjoy your Mrs. Claus’ North Pole Gingerbread Cookies!