Gingerbread People

 

Kids Cooking

 

This is an incredibly easy and fun gingerbread recipe. A little unusual, the recipe calls for a box of butterscotch pudding mix.  Ginger is a tropical plant grown for its root. The flavor is peppery and slightly sweet, while the aroma is pungent and spicy.   The English brought ginger to the American colonies to flavor baked goods.  Prepare a plate for Santa or hang as tree ornaments.  Use a straw to cut a hole in top of the cookie.  Decorate with gel and dragees. 

 

Preparation time:   About 15 minutes. 

 

Equipment you’ll need:  Electric mixer, 2 mixing bowls, gingerbread people cookie cutter, measuring spoons, solid (nested measuring cups), cookie sheet, spatula, mixing spoon and cooling rack. 

 

Safety:  Use dry potholders to place cookie sheet into oven and remove.  Hands must be dry before plugging mixer cord into electric outlet.  

 

Recipe:

1    3.5 - ounce box Cook & Serve butterscotch pudding and pie filling

6    tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

6    tablespoons packed light brown sugar

1    large egg

1    cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

2    teaspoons ground ginger

      Decorating gel, decorations

 

1.  Preheat oven to 350-degrees, about 15 minutes before baking.  Prepare cookie

     sheet with parchment paper.

2.  Cream pudding mix, butter, and sugar using an electric mixer.  Add

     egg and blend well. 

3.  In another bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and ginger.  Blend into the

     pudding mixture.

4.  Flatten dough between 2 sheets of lightly floured waxed paper.  Chill for 1 hour. 

5.  Roll dough between wax paper to ¼ - inch thickness.  Cut with a chilled

     and floured cutter.    

6.  Gently place on parchment paper using a spatula. 

7.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Place on cooling rack.  Decorate!

     Yield:  Six 4-inch gingerbread people.

 

Clean up:  Turn off oven immediately after use.  Always clean up before you leave the kitchen. 

 

Carolyn Gass Hardimon, M. S.     Family and Consumer Science     Home Economist

www.recipeladies.com