November 25, 2014 at 2:46 AM
Holiday baking wouldn't seem complete without a batch of gingerbread men.These biscuits are fragrant with ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves; the amount of which can be adjusted to suit your own individual taste. If you like your gingerbread cookies on the soft side bake them a little less than the recipe states as the longer they bake the harder they will become.
There are a few ways to decorate your gingerbread men; one is to press raisins into the dough before baking, or you can ice the baked and cooled biscuits in different colours and shapes.
Tips for Holiday Baking with Kids:
Keep it simple.
Save the complex biscuit recipe for another day. Find a simple recipe that tastes great.
Tip: make the dough ahead of time, letting the kids shape, roll or decorate it. This will reduce the down time when kids might get bored.
Use baking equipment a child can use easily, for example, bowls with handles and pouring spouts or wooden spoons with large handles.
Allow plenty of time.
If you’re rushed, neither of you will be able to enjoy this time together. Make sure you have all of the ingredients and baking equipment ready before you get started.
Plan on a mess.
This is a great opportunity to show kids how to clean up as they go and make sure the kitchen’s tidy when the baking’s done.
Remember to enjoy yourself, keep your sense of humour.
To help with cleanup:
-Have the kids put on an apron or a big shirt.
-Fill the sink with warm, soapy water, and wash utensils as you use them.
-Cover the table or counters with baking paper before decorating the biscuits or cupcakes.
Assign some jobs.
Some of the jobs that kids can handle are:
• breaking open eggs
• measuring ingredients
• stirring, rolling and shaping
• pressing dough flat with a fork
• using biscuit cutters
• icing and decorating
Click here for more ideas this holiday.
Recipes to get you started:
Jelly Bean Muffins
Pink Iced Biscuits
Gingerbread Men