The Best Homemade Gingerbread Christmas Cookie Recipe

Regardless of how much we really enjoy cooking, Christmas is that one time of the year which truly beckons our inner Martha Stewart. Moreover, as a herbal tea lover, a cherished tradition in my house is baking up a batch of herbal Christmas cookies. As an old-time favourite, you can’t go past a gingerbread for Christmas.

Making like masters in the kitchen, Christmas-time sees families across the globe bake, sizzle and stew up morsels of yumminess for Christmas Day. No matter how good we are at it, however, people get often caught up in the moment of volunteering their culinary services.

If you are one of the said spruikers, just show off your home cooking ability by whipping up a batch or two of Santa’s favourite gingerbread Christmas cookies. Whether you’re a maker or a faker, this herbal gingerbread Christmas cookie recipe will have everyone coming back for more.

A quick history of the Christmas cookie

According to the History Channel, cookies have traditionally been linked to western Christmas since the 1930s. The practice of leaving cookies for Santa originated in the U.S. during The Great Depression. It is said that during this time of hardship, parents attempted to teach their children the value of showing their gratitude of receiving gifts from Santa on Christmas. Thus, they left cookies for the man in the red suit to enjoy. ^[1]

Fast forward more than 80 years and children today still enjoy the excitement of leaving goodies for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve. Whether considered more as bribe material for gifts from the jolly bearded man is yet to be proven... Whatever the case, this is a one Christmas tradition that has stayed strong.

* Tip: Spoil Santa with a cup of Bondi Beach Tea Co.Indian Beach Chai Tea as the perfect partner for his Christmas cookies this year.

Traditions aside, cookies are a beloved holiday treat ideal for sharing at Christmas-time. Moreover, as an avid herbal tea connoisseur, I love a Christmas cookie that complements my herbal tea infusions. The following recipe is not only the perfect complement; it is made with some of the same beneficial ingredients that you find in the Bondi Beach Tea Co. blends.

Sweetly Spiced Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

These Christmas cookies boast a lovely aroma and flavour of herbal goodness. You can leave them plain or decorate with your choice of icing and topping. Zesty, orange-flavoured icing works well, as does icing featuring beetroot chai powder or a gentle sprinkle of matcha green tea.

Ingredients – cookies

• ½ cup coconut oil
• ¼ cup honey
• ¾ cup molasses
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 heaped teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¾ teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (decrease to ½ teaspoon if you prefer a less-spicy gingerbread flavour)
• a pinch of black pepper (optional)
• zest from 1 orange
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ cup hot water
• 2 ¾ cups whole wheat flour

Optional ingredients – icing

• 1 cup icing sugar
• 1 – 3 tablespoons milk of your preference
• ¼ teaspoon of Bondi Pure Green Matcha or Bondi Organic Beetroot Chai Latte (or a teaspoon of flavouring of your choice such as orange oil or vanilla essence)

Method

• Combine the coconut oil, honey and molasses into a bowl then blend it until creamy
• Add in the cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest and pepper (if using). Blend well
• In a separate bowl, completely dissolve the baking soda in the hot water ensuring no lumps remain
• Add the baking soda mixture into the main mix and stir together well
• Finally, add the flour to the mixture and stir to blend well
• Place the dough mixture into the fridge and allow to cool for a least 30 minutes
• In the meantime, preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius and grease and line a baking tray
• Once cooled, remove the cookie dough from the fridge and turn it out onto a floured surface
• Roll the cookie dough to a thickness of around 6mm. If it is too sticky while rolling, just add a little more flour
• Cut the cookie dough into shapes using a cookie cutter and place on the baking tray
• Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Note, the cookies will firm up more as they cool down so ensure to allow for this

Method for optional icing

• Whisk or mix the ingredients for the icing together using a fork and blend until smooth and creamy
• If you prefer a thicker or lesser coverage of icing just adjust the amount of milk added. If you find you put too much milk in to start with, just add a little more icing sugar till you reach the desired thickness
• Pipe the icing over the Christmas cookies or decorate as you please. Some suggested decorations include glazed ginger pieces, shredded coconut, goji berries, dried cranberries/craisins, or dark chocolate chips

While you wait for your Christmas cookies to bake, sit back and enjoy your favourite Bondi Beach Tea Co. herbal tea brew.

Santa will love these homemade herbal gingerbread Christmas cookies. Moreover, I guarantee as will your family and friends. Faker or maker – this Christmas cookie recipe is easy to master and tastes just like something out of a Martha Stewart cookbook!

Bondi Beach Tea Co’s range of health-promoting herbal tea blends makes great Christmas gifts for tea lovers. If you have finished your Christmas shopping, why not spoil yourself instead. To see the full range of loose-leaf herbal teas, and some special beauty products created by the savvy team at Bondi, click here!

Sources:

1. The History Channel - Don’t Forget Santa’s Cookies and Milk: The History of a Popular Christmas Tradition