Sunday, February 2, 2014

365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbread Men :)

365 Days of Pinterest Day 29 - Valentines Day Gingerbreadmen :)






I started trying to make these guys in December.  I wanted to send them as a gift to a friend.  Alas I couldn't find a recipe I  liked the taste of, then I just kept messing up the recipe .... So finally after many batches of not so perfect gingerbread men .. I have perfected the art!  ... but its February, so the candy canes are out and Iv added some fun hearts .. hence .. the Valentines Day gingerbread man :)

Yes I did find this recipe on Pinterest .. a Martha Stewart recipe, but the original called for coarse salt which stayed in chunks and didn't taste to great, so I replace it with table salt .. and perfection.


Ingredients:
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup  molasses

Edible Ingredients for decorating;
       I bought fun toppings from the bulk barn


       I also bought Wiltons Valentines Day mix from Micheals


       ~Conversations hear candies
       ~Heart candies



Frosting;

I tried three methods and found the Wiltons icing in a piping bag with a tip the easiest method.  The pumps in the cans came out too fast to control.  The Cake Mate brand does not dry hard, it stays in a soft frosting consistency, so if you stack them on a plate or mail them to a friend the frosting will smear.

Wilton Icing in the jar or pump.



If you are going to use the jar you will need a icing bag and tip.  I bought mine from Micheals.  




Making the cookie;

Sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder into a medium bowl; set aside.                   
        Mix butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 2 minutes; mix in spices and salt. Mix in egg and molasses, occasionally scraping down sides of bowl. Add flour mixture; mix on low speed until combined. Divide dough in half; pat into two disks. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 1 hour.

        Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.


Now Decorate;

Pipe on your frosting.  In the photo I'm using the Wiltons icing from the jar in a bag.

If you are using the Cake Mate icing from the can you can sprinkle the toppings directly on the cookie. 




 If its the Wiltons iceing you will have to put the toppings in a plate.  









Press your man into the toppings.

next use the iceing like glue to attach the eyes and buttons








Finito!!
Super Cute