Gingertown population explosion


(Gingerbread Men)

Latest figures reveal increased population density in Gingertown!
Dec 12th – 12:33pm

Every year around December, the spotlight is cast on Gingertown as it becomes the centre of an unprecedented population explosion. Experts are at a loss to explain this phenomenon but scientists believe it is due largely in part to a greater influx of imports from nearby Spicetown and immigration via the Sea of Molasses. Last week a press conference was held by the Mayor of Gingertown. In response to the question of whether the town would be able to cope with the recent boom in demand for real estate and public icing facilities, he was been quoted as saying, “Well, that’s the way the cookie crumbles”. A festival celebrating this annual event is slated for the 25th of this month. Stay tuned for details.

Gingerbread Men :
(from Rose’s Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum)

425g (15 oz) plain flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
180g (6.25 oz) dark brown sugar
170g (6 oz) unsalted butter
160g (5.5 oz) unsulfured molasses
1 large egg

In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices, then whisk together to mix evenly.

In a food processor with the metal blade, process the brown sugar until fine. Cut the butter into a few pieces and add it with the motor running. Process until smooth and creamy. Add the molasses and egg and process until incorporated, scraping the sides of the bowl. Add the flour mixture and pulse in just until the dough begins to clump together. Wrap the dough well and chill for at least 2 hours.

Preheat the oven to 175’C (350 F).

Roll the dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use gingerbread cutters to cut out the dough. If desired, make holes for hanging, either at the tops or hands, using the blunt edge of a wooden skewer. Bake the cookies on greaseproof lined trays for 10-12 minutes or until firm to the touch and just beginning to colour around the edges. Cool the cookies completely before icing.

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14 Comments »

  1. Xiaolu/6Bittersweets said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 2:06 pm

    Too cute! Happy holidays!

  2. Emma said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 3:02 pm

    I always wanted to be a ginger:)

  3. ali said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 4:02 pm

    Cute post. What is the texture like? Are they on the chewy/cakey side or on the crispy side? Thanks in advance, Ali.

  4. Y said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 4:49 pm

    Hi Ali! They’re soft and chewy if you slightly underbake them.

  5. shaz said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 4:50 pm

    Gorgeous! Put a huge smile on my face. Just in time too, we’re in gift baking mode, and some gingerbread would go down very well indeed.

  6. Rosa said,

    December 12, 2011 @ 5:52 pm

    So cute!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  7. Caitlin said,

    December 13, 2011 @ 12:36 am

    You are just too much! Wish I had time before our trip to make gingerbread men, but ah well. I did at least make little sugar cookie men yesterday 😛

  8. leaf (the indolent cook) said,

    December 13, 2011 @ 12:46 am

    Such a cute post! Bring on Gingertown!

  9. Yuri - Chef Pandita said,

    December 14, 2011 @ 9:56 am

    So cute 🙂

  10. Dee said,

    December 14, 2011 @ 10:18 pm

    Lol, too cute. Yes this perhaps is going on my christmas bake gift list thing…except my piping skills are pretty dismal. Zombie gingers?

  11. Hannah said,

    December 15, 2011 @ 12:27 pm

    Ah ha, I knew there was a legitimate news story about all of these gingerpeople I’ve been seeing lately! I really love it, so cute. 🙂 The little people look both adorable and delicious.

  12. jas said,

    December 15, 2011 @ 4:04 pm

    I did overhear a conversation of late that there may be an invasion by the cookie monster that could demolish close to a whole town such as this!

  13. InTolerantChef said,

    December 17, 2011 @ 1:15 pm

    Maybe the Easter Bunny plants Gingerbread Men seeds? He visits about 9 months before Christmas, after all 🙂

  14. Jillian Heng said,

    March 19, 2012 @ 4:17 pm

    Hey Aunty Ching!! I like your gingerbread men
    Jillian

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