Gingerbread Men
Baking and Desserts • Austrian
Description
You can substitute molasses with inverted syrup! To make this, dissolve 350 grams of sugar in hot water (155 ml), bring to a boil, and add 2/3 teaspoon of citric acid. Tightly cover the pot with a lid and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes. No more! Once the syrup is ready, let it cool slightly and add the baking soda solution (1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in a dessert spoon of water). The syrup will begin to foam! After 5-10 minutes, the process will be complete — the inverted syrup is ready. It will visually resemble young liquid honey. This syrup can be prepared in advance and stored in a glass jar at room temperature.
Ingredients
- Butter 5 oz
- Brown Sugar 1 glass
- Wheat Flour 4 glasses
- Large eggs 1 piece
- Ground Cinnamon 2 spoons
- Light Molasses ½ glasses
- Grated Ginger Root 2 spoons
- Ground clove 2 spoons
- Salt a pinch
- Activated Baking Soda 1 tablespoon
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Use a mixer on high speed for about 5 minutes. Add the egg and mix well. Then add the molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda, and salt. Mix with the mixer on low speed, gradually adding the flour.
Step 2
Divide the dough into portions, roll them out into discs about 1.5–2 cm thick, and wrap in plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for approximately 3 hours.
Step 3
Using a cookie cutter, cut out about 20 little people from the rolled-out dough, place them on a baking sheet, and set aside. From the remaining dough, cut out additional little people, which we will later use to create clothing elements.
Step 4
Using a pastry cutter, you can cut out skirts, pants, t-shirts, and shoes from the dough. Carefully place the clothing onto the prepared gingerbread figures. There’s no need to press it tightly against the base; it will stick when baked in the oven. Using the leftover dough, cut out small details with cookie cutters. For example, you can create folds for the skirt with a teardrop-shaped cutter, and use star-shaped cutters for a stylish pair of shorts.
Step 5
For the hair - place the rolled-up ball of leftover dough into a garlic press and squeeze it out - these will be the strands of hair for the little figure. You can curl them or leave them straight and long. One strand can also be shaped into a nice smile for the figure's face.
Step 6
If you are using little figures as a table decoration, make a hole in the top of their heads. If you want to turn them into a garland, make holes in their hands. Using a straw, create small circles to make eyes for the figures.
Step 7
After the little figures are dressed, they should be placed in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, then baked in the oven for 15 minutes at a temperature of 375°F. Allow them to cool.
Step 8
Add sugar, icing, small candies, and other sweets as eyes, buttons, bags, and other clothing elements.
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