Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Gingerbread Men

I am bringing an army of gingerbread men to a cookie exchange tonight!  Yes, they are more work than a traditional bar or drop cookie, but isn't the cute worth it?


My grandmother always made gingerbread men to hang on her Christmas tree.  A red ribbon around the neck (tied with a bow) was the perfect place to catch the wire ornament hanger.  These boys hung all over her tree and we were "allowed" one as a snack when we dropped by.  Picking a cookie off of a tree (like an apple!) was a thrill when I was eight.  These edible ornaments continue to be a tradition in my house.


The trick is letting them dry out a bit - they need to harden up to be able to withstand the pressure of hanging.  When you make your batch, don't roll them too thin.  You are looking for a sturdy cookie.  The recipe? "All you need is a red box (there is also a pouch, but I've never tried it) of Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cake and Cookie mix (plus a bit of water, flour and melted butter).  The recipe is on the side of the red box and they come out perfectly every time.  The cutter?  I found this website and the "7 1/2 inch tin plated" gingerbread man looks a lot like the shape of mine.


This year if you are invited to a cookie exchange, instead of resorting to a bar cookie, maybe you can find time for the cute. 

5 comments:

Becky's Rose Cottage said...

Wow, you have your own city of Gingerbread Men...how lovely, Anne..they are gorgeous...Now I know I will be making some out of my sugar cookie receipe...I love the color white so I will do that..you have inspired me..thanks, Becky

Anne Reeves said...

Ohh Becky - white chocolate chip buttons! Cute cute cute. Thanks for writing! xo A

Corinne said...

those look good Anne! the picture is great

Anne Reeves said...

Thanks, Corinne! They went fast at the cookie exchange.

MmeBenaut said...

Another "Fantastic!" ..Your house must smell delicious with all this baking.