**Gingerbread Trees with Lemon Icing: A Festive Treat for the Holidays**
Gingerbread trees, with their intricate designs and sweet, spicy flavor, are a beloved holiday tradition. This recipe offers a unique twist on the classic, with a tangy lemon icing that adds a bright, citrusy note to the rich gingerbread flavor. The trees are made with a simple dough that's easy to work with, and the icing is made with just a few ingredients. The result is a festive and delicious treat that's perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, or simply enjoying at home with a cup of hot cocoa.
Additionally, this article provides variations on the basic gingerbread tree recipe, including a chocolate gingerbread tree with a rich chocolate icing, a peppermint gingerbread tree with a minty icing, and a gluten-free gingerbread tree for those with dietary restrictions. Each variation offers a unique flavor combination and festive appearance, making them perfect for any holiday celebration.
SUPER SIMPLE GINGERBREAD TREE COOKIES
Perfectly spiced and utterly buttery gingerbread cookies cut into super-simple tree shapes, then dressed up with a zingy lemon icing + sparkly sugar.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Time 1h35m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a stand mixer or a large bowl (with a hand mixer), beat together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy, about three minutes.
- Add the egg and molasses and beat until blended, scraping down sides as necessary.
- To a separate medium bowl, add the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Mix together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat just until combined.
- Press the dough together and form into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for an hour, or up to three days.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove disc from fridge and cut into fourths.
- Roll each piece about 1/4 inch thick. You may need to let the dough warm up just a bit, and, depending on your surface, you may need some additional flour to prevent sticking.
- With a knife or cookie cutter, cut the dough into simple triangle tree shapes (see pic above for reference).
- Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes, until they're firm and just starting to get golden at edges. Remove from oven and let cool for about 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the glaze: mix together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. It will seem very thick at first but should thin out into a thick drizzle-able consistency. If it does not thin enough, add a bit more lemon juice until the right consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cookies. I place the icing in a Ziploc bag, cut the corner off, and drizzle lines of icing over the cookies that way. Easy peasy.
- Immediately sprinkle on a little sugar before the icing hardens.
- Let sit until icing hardens before storing or assembling on cookie plates. Cookies keep up to one week in an airtight container.
GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH LEMON FROSTING
When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. -Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Desserts
Time 35m
Yield about 4 dozen.
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and molasses. In another bowl, whisk the next 8 ingredients; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until tops are cracked, 8-10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Frost cookies. Refrigerate in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 100 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.
FRESH GINGERBREAD WITH LEMON ICING
Provided by Nigella Lawson
Categories Ginger Dessert Bake Lemon Fall Kidney Friendly Vegetarian Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free Kosher
Yield Makes 20 squares
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 325°F.
- In a saucepan, melt the butter along with the sugar, syrup, molasses, ginger, and cinnamon. Off the heat, add the milk, eggs, and baking soda in its water.
- Measure the flour out into a bowl and pour in the liquid ingredients, beating until very well mixed (it will be a very liquid batter). Pour it into the pan and bake for 3/4 - 1 hour until risen and firm. Be careful not to overcook it, as it is nicer a little stickier, and anyway it will carry on cooking as it cools.
- And when it is cool, get on with the icing. Whisk the lemon juice into the confectioners' sugar first, then gradually add the water. You want a good, thick icing, so go cautiously and be prepared not to add all the water. Spread over the cooled gingerbread with a palette knife, and leave to set before cutting.
Tips:
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. - Make sure the gingerbread dough is chilled before baking to prevent spreading. - Roll out the gingerbread dough on a lightly floured surface to prevent sticking. - Bake the gingerbread trees in a preheated oven to ensure even cooking. - Decorate the gingerbread trees with lemon icing, sprinkles, or other desired toppings. - Allow the gingerbread trees to dry completely before serving.Conclusion:
Gingerbread trees with lemon icing are a festive and delicious holiday treat that is sure to impress your friends and family. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make these beautiful and tasty treats at home. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of gingerbread trees that everyone will love!
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