Gingerbread in your head?- Ginger Week

Positivity is one of our favourite things here at San Living and nothing screams joyousness other than winter holiday whether it is Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever you may celebrate. One of the most fun activities in the kitchen is the creation of gingerbread! (You did not think we would have a ginger week without this classic, did you?) With the recipe originally starting from Greece in 2400 B.C, Germany eventually built the first gingerbread house in the 16th century. Recently in 2013, the record was even beat with a gingerbread house of 2520 square feet in Texas! Gingerbread is one of the most artistic foods in the world despite its' limited uses in a meal setting as many recipes create a harder version for crafting. Like pretty much all baked goods there is a huge potential for decoration!

We absolutely love the idea of gingerbread due to its' creative potential and all the ways you can utilize it. It can be such a fun activity in which your whole family can do together. There is so many options that you can build from houses, to parks, and of course gingerbread men! There are so many ways to bake it as well and simplified versions such as Pillsbury Dough's pre-made one. For the sake of simplicity we'll put forth one of the many methods used to bake the gingerbread itself but not all the fun ways you can decorate your gingerbread such as icing, candy and much more! Without further ado, lets start the fun!

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Ingredients (Serving amount varies depending on what you create)

-Half cup of unsalted butter (Room temperature)

-Two thirds cup of brown sugar (packed)

-Half cup of light molasses or dark corn syrup

-1 tablespoon of ginger (ground)

-1 tablespoon of cinnamon (ground)

-salt

-1 teaspoon nutmeg

-1 teaspoon ground cloves

-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

-1 egg

-1 teaspoon baking soda

-2 to 3 cups of all-purpose flour

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Recipe

1.Sift and mix together the dry ingredients ( flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon)then set it on to the side.

2. Gently stir the butter until smooth and has a cream like texture, then add molasses, brown sugar, egg and a bit of water until it is thoroughly integrated and creamy

3. Once creamy, mix vigorously Vanilla in (butter may eventually separate which is fine)

4. Slowly put in dry ingredients while mixing until thick and combined

5. Divide the dough (may be sticky) in to two or three pieces then wrap in plastic wrap then put into your fridge for at least two and a half hours. (This can actually be upto three days!)

6. When ready, preheat oven to 350F/177C

7. Take out your dough and flour a surface for you to roll your dough in to roughly a quarter inch thickness. Flour as much as you need as you roll as it can be a bit sticky

8. Cut your gingerbread into the shapes you want to design with whether it is a wall or a gingerbread person or a tree

8. Bake using a baking sheet for around 8 minutes if the circumference is smaller than four inches but up to 12 minutes if larger!

9. Voila your gingerbread is now done and ready to assemble with candy, icing or whatnot!

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We love this especially cause it is such a family-friendly activity. With so many difficult cooking recipes, we find this easier and you can even make it a night before so the kids can just enjoy the cutting or piecing together. Regardless of if it is a holiday or not, it is always amazing to bond together and create a beautiful and tasty dessert! We hope you find this activity as uplifting and positive as we do! As always we hope you have an amazing time and join us once again on this wonderful journey!

-Your San Living Team