Secret ingredient for perfect gingerbread: Mashed potatoes!

Christmas is a time when homes are filled with the irresistible smell of gingerbread. These spicy cookies have been a part of holiday traditions for years, bringing warmth and joy to festive preparations. Baking gingerbread is not just a tradition; it is also a delightful way to spend quality time with loved ones. Want to learn how to make soft gingerbread cookies? Here are the key steps.

Crafting perfectly soft gingerbread cookies begins with selecting the right ingredients. You will need all-purpose flour, honey, butter, gingerbread spices, cinnamon, and cooked potatoes. The last ingredient is crucial for achieving these cookies' exceptional moisture and texture. Below are the ingredient proportions:

Ingredients:

                                  
• About 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• About 1 cup of honey
• About 1 cup of cooked potatoes (thoroughly mashed)
• About 1/2 cup of butter
• 2 tablespoons of cream
• 1.5 tablespoons of cocoa
• 1 heaping tablespoon of gingerbread spice
• 1 tablespoon of cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

First, prepare the potatoes: Cook them until soft, cool them down, and then mash them thoroughly to remove any lumps. The potatoes will add tenderness to the dough and help keep the gingerbread fresh and soft for longer.

How do you make the gingerbread dough? With all your ingredients ready, it’s time to mix them into a dough. Start by melting the butter with the honey in a pot. Pour the melted mixture into a bowl with the flour, spices, and cinnamon. Add the cooked and mashed potatoes.

Knead everything by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This blend of ingredients will give you a dough that’s perfect for further processing.

How do you shape the gingerbread? Divide the dough into two parts to make rolling it out easier. Dust the countertop with flour and roll out the dough to about 0.5 inches thick.

Use cookie cutters to create various shapes from the dough—hearts, stars, trees, whatever you like. Then, place the cookies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 10-12 minutes at 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember, keeping an eye on the baking time is the key to maintaining their softness. Taking them out early is better than leaving them in too long.

Once the gingerbread has cooled, store it in an airtight tin or jar to keep them soft longer. If you want them to be even more moist, you can add a piece of fresh apple to the container—it's a proven way to keep them fresh.