Monday, September 29, 2014

Vanilla Bean Glazed Gingerbread Cookies

Autumn began for us with a downpour -- 3 inches of rain and a chilly, barely 70-degrees and I realized summer was definitely behind us.  It also means the ingredients I've been baking with are now becoming pumpkin, apple, and ginger instead of strawberries, blueberries, and peaches!

Gingerbread was brought to Europe in 992 and to the United States with the first settlers.  In France, it is know as pain d'espices and in Germany as Lebkuchen, but the main ingredients seem to be very similar; honey or molasses and a range of spices.  Whether it's in the form of a cake or cookies, it definitely has become one of the best loved baked goods for the Fall and Winter here.

Vanilla Bean Glazed Gingerbread Cookies
3/4 cup (12 T) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup mild-flavor molasses
1 large egg
2 1/2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice*
*You can substitute 2 tsp. ground ginger, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. cloves and nutmeg for the Pumpkin Pie Spice. 

Preheat oven to 325F-degrees.  Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a stand mixer, using the paddle attachment, cream the butter and brown sugar together.  Add the molasses and Pumpkin Pie Spice and mix thoroughly, scrapping down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula as necessary.

Add the dry ingredients and mix on low until the dough comes together.
Scoop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten slightly with your hand.
The cookies will spread so be sure not to crowd them on the baking sheet--I did 8 at a time.
Bake in the preheated oven 15 minutes or until edges of the cookies are set.  Do not over bake!
Remove from the oven and allow to set for 10 minutes before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.
Vanilla Bean Glaze:
2 cups confectioners' sugar (icing sugar)
2 vanilla beans, split and scraped
3-4 T very hot water
Mix all the ingredients and spread on the slightly cooled cookies.  These cookie are delicious with a cup of tea or coffee, sitting by a fire (and yes, I did have the gas logs burning:-D) and making lists for the holidays around the corner. Enjoy! 

 

16 comments:

  1. Oh these cookies do look yummy!! I think I will be baking this afternoon!!

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    1. If I was there, I'd bake you some so you could rest:-)

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  2. I LOVE gingerbread cookies. These look awesome, esp. with that real vanilla glaze.

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  3. I baked the cookies and they were ready just in time for 3:00 coffee! They are so good and the house smells wonderful!

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    1. It does make the house smell good--did you have company with the aromas coming from your kitchen?

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  4. Oh Susan, those sound sooo yummy. Bet they make the house smell great, too. Susan

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  5. Wonderful. Could you pass me one please! Pretty please...

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  6. Oh Susan! You have outdone yourself! I cannot wait to try these! Thank you, thank you!!!

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    1. I think you and I could open a bake shop if we lived closer--I'm a big fan of your "work" too!

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  7. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm! these cookies are for me! thanks!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  8. I love the scent of vanilla....your kitchen must smell incredible when you make these. Sweet hugs Sis!

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  9. Wow! I've become a huge fan of ginger cookies and these looked wonderful. I love a chewy cookie. Additional of the vanilla glaze is great...Very similar to an iced molasses, right? But, of course, so much better! I'm so looking forward to some fall baking, too. Welcome back, my friend! lv, me

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