The perfect cookie for gingerbread, almond gingerbread cookies. Great for decorating with the whole family!
Like a lot of people, I love the build-up to Christmas more than the actual day itself. Let’s be honest, parties with great food and drink, friends and family it’s awesome.
Last year we had our very first Christmas as a family, and to be honest, I and D were on tenterhooks the entire time. Thing 1 & 2 had only been living with us for about 8 months, and the bonds were still forming. So, we sought a much quieter and toned down Christmas compared to usual. We still had a tree, and presents, but we avoided the parties and the crazy. Thing 1, in particular, would get too energized and wouldn’t be able to calm themselves down.
However, one activity we did when my mother flew over to visit was make and decorate gingerbread cookies. I mean, who didn’t love doing that as a kid (or adult). My boys just loved icing and placing mini m&ms.
They also loved helping make the dough, rolling it out, and helping out them into the oven. Thing 1 took charge of watching them in the oven. Thing 2 decided it was easier to try and sneak them off the table.
Honestly, these were the perfect cookies for gingerbread. The addition of ground almonds made for a stronger cookie and paired so well with gingerbread spices. Great for decorating with the whole family! Afterward, a good mug of coffee or mulled cider made these extra delicious.
Making, decorating and eating these delicious almond gingerbread cookies was a proper family event. It was a lovely first family Christmas!
Also, I’ve added this to Fiesta Friday!
Pairings
Drinks: Coffee with Baileys for Adults! Warmed Apple Cider for kids
Music: Spotify’s Christmas Classics Mix
Looking for other Holiday ideas?
Try our Cranberry sauce or our Savoury Cheese Biscuits when serving drinks!
Almond Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 30 g unsalted butter
- 60 g brown sugar
- 75 g ground almond
- 250 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- fine zest from a clementine
- 1 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Toppings
- Royal icing
- gum drops
- mini m&m's
Instructions
- Melt the butter, maple syrup and sugar together. Stir to combine. Then when it is all melted together, take off the heat. Cool for a few minutes, then whisk in the egg and zest.
- Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in the almonds, spices and flour. Little one's would be good at this if you want to get them involved. Mix until well combined and then chill in the fridge for at least 30min.
- Heat the oven to 180C. Put some spare flour on the clean surface. Roll out the chilled dough on this until just a bit thicker than a pound coin, and cut using your favorite cookie cutter (again, a great job for a little one). Place on a parchment lined baking sheet, and bake until light brown (about 15-20min). Resist temptation, and let them cool before decorating.
Hi there!
First, it’s a great idea to add almonds to the gingerbread cookies, I’m sure cookies turned out more delicious. And you can enjoy precious moments with kids while decorate cookies together.
and second, I love your photos- very warm.
Have a great winter season!
Have a wonderful holiday with your new family members. Cookie decorating was a treasured activity when the kids were young, it is a wonderful tradition. Thank you for bringing them to FF.
I want these now, they look so good. Great step-by-step instructions.Thanks for sharing on Fiesta Friday group.
These cookies sound delicious, Matt! And as much as I love baking and helping decorate, I’m going to have to side with Thing 2 here and say that sneaking these off the counter is the way to go. 🙂 Here’s to having an awesome Christmas season with the boys!
I am so glad I found your blog. I remember the first Christmas with my adopted son many years ago. Decorating gingerbread cookies is always fun.
I love that photo – I’m assuming that’s Thing 2. That is so adorable and just so Christmas to me. Enjoy the season!
Yes, he loves trying to ‘sneak’ anything I’m making! To be fair they both do, as kids should!