Christmas idea no.20

My childhoods gingerbread

This is a true story.

I was 5 and woke up very early one morning before christmas.

I decided to bake gingerbread.

So I went down to the kitchen with my little record player and a kids record witch had a gingerbread baking song on it.(Hakkebakkeskogen).

My mom tells me she woke up at 7am by this song playing over and over.

She found me in the kitchen with more flour on me then in the bowl.

We did bake gingerbread later that day, after a bath.

This recipe is the same one my grandmother used. Hope you like it!

Makes about 100 cookies

2 1/4(250g) sticks butter

3/4 cup dark molasses

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon cardemom

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cloves

3/4 cup water

5 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

Place butter and molasses in a saucepan and stir until the butter has melted.

Have sugar and spices in a large baking bowl and pour in the hot butter mixture.

Stir until the sugar has dissolved.

Add water and stir well.

Stir in the flour and baking powder.

Stir until you have a soft dough.

Wrap in plastic at let the dough stand in the fridge at least 24 hours.

Can be stored in the fridge for 14 days.

Take it out and roll thin.

Cut out stars, hearts or whatever you want to make and bake at 320F, 180C for about 5-6 minutes.

Cool on a wire rack.

Store in an airtight container.

Photos by Studio Dreyer Hensley

Comments

[ilva]

Hakkebakkeskogen-that was my favourite! I had it on a EP disc and I listened to it hundreds of times! Thanks for reminding me! AND I made Pepparkaksdeg today, tomorrow the house will be filled with gingerbread men, women, pigs and heart!

[A-M]

....after a bath!... how gorgeous...what a sweet little boy you were! You have inspired me to bake your gingerbread recipe with my little boys today. Thankyou! Just LOVE your blog Sweet Paul. A-M xx

[Madelyn @ Southern Weddings]

I love these photos! I love gingerbread! Those cookies look so delicious. Thanks for the yummy recipe.

[janne]

Når en pepperkakebaker baker pepperbakerkaker
tar han først en stekegryte og en kilo margarin
oppi gryta smelter smøret
og det neste han må gjøre
er å røre sammen smøret med en kilo med farin!

Og mens smør og sukker skummer tar man åtte eggeplommer
som han rører ut i gryta med en kilo hvetemel
og til slutt i gryta slipper han en liten teskje pepper
også rører han omkring og tømmer deigen på ei fjøl

Hehe. God jul! Og takk gud for ferdiglaget deig i butikken... :-)

[amy]

turned out perfect babe! thank you! finn will enjoy making cookies in the morning bc of this awesome recipe! kiss kiss

[Zo]

Aw, your cookies are soooo cute!! And your gingerbread tree is stunning :D

How long does the gingerbread last for by the way?

[laurel]

Hakkebakkeskogen.... Awe! My mother in law sings that to my little ones -her version of pat a cake! Thanks for the smile and the lovely pics. We will be dong the cookies this week and MIL will get a batch! xoxo

[april~living the sweet life]

Love the story & the sugar encrusted gingerbread boys. I will be making these tomorrow with my children.

[Mitzi Zohar]

That is an adorable story!