Hello, Good News! Welcome to another article where we share with you some of the best recipes and tips for making delicious treats at home. Today, we are going to show you how to make Disneyland gingerbread cookies, the ones that you can find at the park during the holiday season. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of gingerbread flavor. They are also fun to decorate with royal icing and sprinkles. You can make them into any shape you like, such as Mickey Mouse, snowflakes, or stars.
If you love gingerbread cookies and Disneyland, this is the perfect recipe for you. You don’t need any special equipment or ingredients, just some basic pantry staples and a few spices. You can also make the dough ahead of time and freeze it until you are ready to bake. These cookies are great for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a cup of hot chocolate. So, let’s get started and learn how to make Disneyland gingerbread cookies at home!
What Makes Disneyland Gingerbread Cookies Special?
Disneyland gingerbread cookies are not your ordinary gingerbread cookies. They have some unique features that make them stand out from the crowd. Here are some of them:
They are soft and chewy
Unlike some gingerbread cookies that are hard and crunchy, Disneyland gingerbread cookies are soft and chewy in the center, with slightly crisp edges. This is because they use brown sugar instead of white sugar, which adds more moisture and flavor to the dough. They also use a combination of baking soda and baking powder, which helps them rise and stay soft.
They have a rich molasses flavor
Molasses is a key ingredient in gingerbread cookies, as it gives them their dark color and distinctive taste. Disneyland gingerbread cookies use unsulphured molasses, which is made from mature sugarcane and has a mild and sweet flavor. They also use a generous amount of molasses, about 1/2 cup per batch, which makes the cookies moist and flavorful.
They are spiced just right
Gingerbread cookies are all about the spices. Disneyland gingerbread cookies use a blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice, which create a warm and aromatic flavor. They also use fresh grated ginger, which adds a zingy kick to the cookies. The amount of spices can be adjusted according to your preference, but we recommend following the recipe for the best results.
How to Make Disneyland Gingerbread Cookies
Making Disneyland gingerbread cookies is not difficult at all. It only takes a few simple steps and some patience. Here is how to do it:
Step 1: Make the dough
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside. In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat well. Add the molasses and fresh ginger and beat until combined. Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until a smooth dough forms.
Step 2: Chill the dough
Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape them into discs. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days. Chilling the dough helps it firm up and prevents it from spreading too much in the oven.
Step 3: Roll out the dough
When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Take one disc of dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters of your choice and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Step 4: Bake the cookies
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. The baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so keep an eye on them. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 5: Decorate the cookies
To decorate the cookies, you can use royal icing or any other icing of your choice. You can also use sprinkles, candies, chocolate chips, or nuts to add some color and texture. To make royal icing, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of meringue powder, and 4 to 6 tablespoons of water until smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or water as needed. You can also add food coloring if you want to make different colors. Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the icing onto the cookies and let it dry completely before storing or serving.
Disneyland Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Breakdown
To help you make the best Disneyland gingerbread cookies, here is a detailed breakdown of the recipe, including the ingredients, measurements, and instructions.
| Ingredients |
Measurements |
| All-purpose flour |
3 and 1/4 cups (406g) |
| Baking soda |
3/4 teaspoon |
| Baking powder |
1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt |
1/4 teaspoon |
| Ground ginger |
2 teaspoons |
| Cinnamon |
1 and 1/2 teaspoons |
| Cloves |
1/4 teaspoon |
| Nutmeg |
1/4 teaspoon |
| Allspice |
1/4 teaspoon |
| Unsalted butter, softened |
3/4 cup (170g) |
| Dark brown sugar, packed |
3/4 cup (150g) |
| Egg, at room temperature |
1 large (50g) |
| Pure vanilla extract |
1 teaspoon (5ml) |
Unsulphured molasses |
1/2 cup (120ml) |
Fresh ginger, grated or minced fine
ly
Some additional rows are:
|
| 2 teaspoons (10g) |
For decorating (optional) |
Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar) |
2 cups (240g) |
Meringue powder (or egg white powder) |
2 tablespoons (16g) |
Water, plus more as needed to adjust consistency |
4 to 6 tablespoons (60 to 90ml) |
Food coloring, sprinkles, candies, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. |
To taste and preference |
Instructions |
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices. Set aside.
- In another bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract and beat well. Add the molasses and fresh ginger and beat until combined.
- Gradually add the flour mixture and beat until a smooth dough forms.
- Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape them into discs. Wrap them in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 3 days.
- When you are ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Take one disc of dough out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to soften slightly. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes using cookie cutters of your choice and transfer them to the prepared baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are lightly golden around the edges. The baking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your cookies, so keep an eye on them. Let them cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- To decorate the cookies, you can use royal icing or any other icing of your choice. You can also use sprinkles, candies,chocolate chips, nuts, etc. to add some color and texture. To make royal icing, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of meringue powder, and 4 to 6 tablespoons of water until smooth and glossy. Adjust the consistency by adding more sugar or water as needed. You can also add food coloring if you want to make different colors. Transfer the icing to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip or a ziplock bag with a corner snipped off. Pipe the icing onto the cookies and let it dry completely before storing or serving.
|
FAQs About Disneyland Gingerbread Cookies
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Disneyland gingerbread cookies, along with their answers.
How long do Disneyland gingerbread cookies last?
Disneyland gingerbread cookies can last for up to 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months and thaw them at room temperature before serving.
Can I use regular molasses instead of unsulphured molasses?
Yes, you can use regular molasses instead of unsulphured molasses, but the flavor and color of the cookies may be slightly different. Regular molasses is made from young sugarcane and has a stronger and more bitter taste than unsulphured molasses. It also has a darker color and may make the cookies more brown than golden.
Can I use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, you can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquid and leavening agents in the recipe. Gluten-free flour tends to absorb more moisture and may make the dough drier and crumblier. You may need to add more molasses or water to make the dough more pliable. You may also need to reduce the amount of baking soda and baking powder, as gluten-free flour tends to rise more than regular flour.
Can I use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter?
Yes, you can use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter, but you may need to adjust the amount of salt in the recipe. Vegan butter tends to have more salt than unsalted butter, so you may want to reduce the amount of salt in the flour mixture or omit it altogether. You can also use coconut oil or vegetable oil instead of butter, but they may change the texture and flavor of the cookies.
Can I use maple syrup instead of molasses?
No, we do not recommend using maple syrup instead of molasses, as they have very different properties and flavors. Maple syrup is thinner and sweeter than molasses, and it does not have the same rich and dark taste that molasses has. It also does not react with baking soda as molasses does, which helps create the soft and chewy texture of the cookies. If you do not have molasses, you can use honey or dark corn syrup instead, but they will still alter the flavor and color of the cookies.
How do I make Mickey Mouse shaped cookies?
To make Mickey Mouse shaped cookies, you will need a large round cookie cutter and a small round cookie cutter. Cut out a large circle using the large cookie cutter and place it on the baking sheet. Cut out two small circles using the small cookie cutter and place them on top of the large circle, slightly overlapping it. These will form Mickey’s ears. Press them gently to adhere them to the large circle. Repeat with the remaining dough.
How do I make snowflake shaped cookies?
To make snowflake shaped cookies, you will need a snowflake cookie cutter or a star cookie cutter with six points. Cut out snowflakes using the cookie cutter and place them on the baking sheet. If you want to make them more detailed, you can use a knife or a toothpick to cut out smaller shapes within the snowflakes.
How do I make royal icing without meringue powder?
To make royal icing without meringue powder, you can use pasteurized egg whites instead. Pasteurized egg whites are safer to consume than raw egg whites, as they have been heated to kill any bacteria. You can find them in cartons in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. To make royal icing with pasteurized egg whites, whisk together 2 cups of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of pasteurized egg whites until smooth and glossy. Add more sugar or egg whites as needed to adjust the consistency.
How do I store royal icing?
To store royal icing, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate it for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Before using, let it come to room temperature and stir well. You may need to add more water or sugar to adjust the consistency.
How do I decorate cookies with royal icing?
To decorate cookies with royal icing, you will need two different consistencies of icing: piping consistency and flooding consistency. Piping consistency is thicker and holds its shape, while flooding consistency is thinner and spreads easily. To make piping consistency, add more sugar to the royal icing until it forms stiff peaks when you lift the whisk. To make flooding consistency, add more water to the royal icing until it flows off the whisk in a thin ribbon. Transfer the icing to piping bags or ziplock bags with different tips or corners snipped off. To decorate, first outline the cookies with piping consistency icing, then fill in the outlines with flooding consistency icing. Use a toothpick or a skewer to pop any air bubbles and smooth out the surface. Let the icing dry completely before adding more details or colors.
Conclusion
We hope you enjoyed this article on how to make Disneyland gingerbread cookies at home. These cookies are soft, chewy, and full of gingerbread flavor. They are also fun to decorate with royal icing and sprinkles. You can make them into any shape you like, such as Mickey Mouse, snowflakes, or stars. These cookies are great for gifting, sharing, or enjoying with a cup of hot chocolate.
If you liked this article, please check out our other articles on how to make other delicious treats at home, such as Disneyland churros, Disneyland dole whip, or Disneyland caramel apples. You can also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates on our recipes and tips.
Thank you for reading and happy baking!