The “baking therapy” discussed on this blog refers to my personal experience using baking as a self-help and relaxation tool.”
Original Author Rosanna Pansino’s Baking All Year Round
Hey everybirdy!
I am back with another cookbook favorite! If you know me, you know that when I find a cookbook I love, I use it until the pages are worn. Today’s project is Gingerbread People inspired by Rosanna Pansino. Whether you use a classic gingerbread man cutter or get creative with different shapes, these cookies are a timeless treat.
Baking these cookies is a huge part of my baking therapy routine. There is something incredibly grounding about working with dough that has been chilled and rested. Taking the time to roll it out evenly and carefully cut out each figure requires a level of focus that naturally quiets the mind. Plus, the warm aroma of ginger, cinnamon, and cloves filling the house is an instant mood booster!
📋 Pro Tips for Perfect Gingerbread
The Chill is Key:
Don’t skip the refrigeration! Chilling the dough for 3 hours (or even overnight) makes it much easier to handle and prevents the cookies from spreading.
The “Mom” Timing:
While the recipe suggests 10 minutes, I always start checking at 8 minutes. You want them firm to the touch and looking dry, but not overbaked.
Button Trick:
Press your red hots or chocolate candies into the cookies while they are still warm from the oven so they stick perfectly!
🛒 Essentials (Ingredients)
For the Gingerbread Dough:*
- 4 cups King Arthur All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp Baking soda
- 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
- 1-1/2 tsp Ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp Ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp Salt* 12 tbsp Butter (softened)
- 1 cup Brown sugar (light or dark works!)
- 1 large Egg
- 3/4 cup Molasses
- Candies (Red Hots or M&Ms) for buttons
For the Best-Ever Icing:
- Egg whites
- Powdered sugar,
- Cream of tartar
- Honey (or vanilla)
- Salt
- Vanilla extract.
Visit my Patreon for a free post featuring the full Walmart price breakdown for this budget-friendly bake!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Whisk Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and all your warm spices.
2. Cream Butter & Sugar:
Beat the butter and brown sugar for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy. Mix in the egg and molasses.
3. Combine:
Gradually add the flour mixture on low speed until well combined.
4. Chill:
Shape the dough into disks, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
5. Roll & Cut:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut your shapes and place them 1 inch apart on parchment-lined sheets.
6. Bake:
Bake for 8–10 minutes. Press candy buttons in immediately after removing from the oven. Let cool completely.
7. Ice the Cookies:
Beat icing ingredients until smooth and use a piping bag to decorate your unique gingerbread people!
❓ Common Baking Questions (Q&A)
Q: Does it matter if I use light or dark brown sugar?
Robby: Not for the flavor! Dark brown sugar has a bit more molasses, so it will make your cookies a slightly darker shade, but both taste delicious.
Q: Why do I have to freeze the cookies before baking?
Robby: The original recipe suggests 15 minutes in the freezer to help the cookies hold their shape perfectly. If your dough is still very cold from the fridge, you can sometimes skip this, but it’s a great safety step!
Q: How do I store these?
Robby: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They actually get even better and softer after a day or two!
Final Thoughts
This was such a fun recipe to decorate, especially with a little help in the kitchen. Gingerbread people are meant to be unique, so don’t worry about making them “perfect”—just have fun with it!I hope you enjoy the recipe and find it as relaxing as I do. See you all next time!
Happy baking!
Gingerbread People
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup molasses
- Red Hots Candy or Chocolate-covered candies M&Ms
Directions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt.
- In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
- Mix in the egg and molasses.
- On low speed, mix in half the flour mixture, then repeat until well combined.
- Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a ¼ inch thickness. Cut out gingerbread men using the cookie cutter and place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheets.
- Freeze the cookies for 15 minutes.
- Bake until the cookies are firm to the touch and look dry, about 10 minutes.
- While the cookies are still warm, gently press 3 red hots down the center for the buttons.
- Let cool on the baking sheets for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Support the Baking Therapy Mission
Become a member of the Birdhouse on either/both my Kofi and Patreon.
What to expect from Patreon: Budget Breakdown for all of my recipes.
Kofi: Same Budget Breakdown posts on Patreon.
Commissions on Kofi:
[NEW] Recipes for Life Series: I’ve launched a special series of “Pay What You Want” digital recipe cards on my Ko-fi Shop. You can download them for $0, or choose to tip whatever you feel they are worth. It’s my way of making sure everyone has access to a little kitchen therapy, regardless of their budget.
The Bake Doctor! Fix your bakes! Send me a photo/recipe and get a text-based diagnosis to save your next batch.
The Pantry Scavenger! Clear the cupboards! Tell me your “mystery items,” and I’ll find a way to make them delicious.
Hooked on a Baked Good: Whipping up some cute baked good-inspired crochet items. I’ll send you these amazing crochet items (at a small cost for the yarn + shipping). You might also find a one-of-a-kind recipe card.
