Warm Spices for a Winter Tea
Most of my family already knows this about me so you might as well know it, too. I am not a tea drinker. The only teas that I like are herbal teas and even among those there are only a few that I will drink. However, if you invite a cookie to the tea party, well, I’m willing to drink the tea too. These Gingerbread Tea Cookies are the perfect companion to any tea, but my favorite pairing for these delicious cookies is Lemon Ginger Tea.
“If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee.” Abraham Lincoln
I guess you could say that I’m easing myself out of Christmas by making these Gingerbread Tea Cookies. But I agree with my nephew that gingerbread shouldn’t be confined to Christmas. It should be eaten any time of the year and these cookies are the perfect example of gingerbread’s versatility. So, let’s have a “cuppa” in tribute to these spicey sweets.
P.S. They are delicious with coffee, too!
Cookie specifics
Gingerbread. My go-to gingerbread cookie is firm on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. It has a robust molasses flavor and plenty of ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and other spices. I was never a gingerbread lover as a child, but this cookie won me over. And don’t limit yourself to gingerbread boys! I love these square, flutted-edge shapes for tea cookies. They are so dainty and cute.
Shapes
Square, fluted-edged cookie cutter
Size
I have several square, fluted-edged cookie cutters, but this 2-inch size is perfect for dainty tea cookies.
My Family Recipe
Gingerbread. My Soft Gingerbread Cookie recipe is based on a combination of several recipes from family and friends. My goal was to make a cookie full of spices, with slightly crisp edges and soft everywhere else. This recipe is all that!
My Gingerbread Recipe
Cookies
Gingerbread: flour, butter, dark brown sugar, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, ground cloves, baking powder, egg, pure vanilla extract, lemon zest, salt
Icing & Decorative Embellishments
I happily use either Royal Icing or Vanila Glaze to decorate these little gems.
Royal Icing: confectioners’ sugar, egg whites, corn syrup, pure vanilla extract or almond extract, cream of tartar, food coloring
Glaze: sugar, water, corn syrup, food coloring (optional), various extracts for flavoring (vanilla, almond, lemon, raspberry, etc.)
Plate, Box or Bag?
Pretty Plate. Tea demands a pretty plate to match the event. I placed these tea cookies on a small, old-fashioned plate to highlight their cuteness. There were no cookies left after our group’s tea time was over. An empty plate is the most gratifying sight that any baker could wish for.
What I’ve learned...
Gingerbread isn’t just for Christmas! These cookies were made with the best ingredients I could find and baked in small batches. I’ve experimented with less expensive ingredients, but have come to the conclusion that flavor is best when I use the best. Why spend all this time baking and decorating if taste and texture are just so-so? Decorating the cookies takes time, but it’s an enjoyable process for me and I know that those who receive them appreciate that. Life is just better when you can share something you love with someone you love. Don’t you agree?
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