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American·Dessert

Hand-Shaped Gingerbread Snowflakes

A spicy, cocoa-infused gingerbread cookie that uses a clever hand-shaping technique to create beautiful snowflake designs without the need for a cookie cutter.

Prep

20m

Cook

12m

Total

92m

Serves

15

Method

  1. 01

    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper, cayenne, and unsweetened cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.

    Step 1
    Watch · 0:37
  2. 02

    In a separate bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter and white sugar with a hand mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and molasses until the mixture is smooth and emulsified.

    Step 2
    Watch · 1:42
  3. 03

    Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir with a stiff spatula or wooden spoon until a stiff dough forms. Transfer the dough to plastic wrap and shape it into a rectangular log about 1 inch high and 4 inches wide. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.

    Step 3
    Watch · 4:10
  4. 04

    Slice the chilled dough log into 3/8-inch thick strips. Cut each strip into six equal pieces. Roll each piece into a small log about 2 to 2.5 inches long. On a lined baking sheet, cross three logs to form a six-pointed star shape. Pinch the ends of the logs to make them pointy and lightly press the center to flatten.

    Step 4
    Watch · 6:21
  5. 05

    Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 12 minutes for chewy cookies, or a few minutes longer if you prefer them crispy. Let the cookies rest on the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Step 5
    Watch · 9:58
  6. 06

    Prepare the icing by stirring powdered sugar with a small splash of cold water until smooth and thick enough to hold a line. Transfer to a piping bag with a small round tip. Pipe snowflake designs onto the cooled cookies using lines, dots, and V-shapes.

    Step 6
    Watch · 11:05

From Chef John

  • “White sugar plus molasses actually equals brown sugar.”
  • “You are after all the ice queen of your icing.”
  • “Snowflakes are like snowflakes: no two are the same and none are perfect which, like us, is what makes them perfect.”