Easy Gingerbread Cookie Recipes

Making gingerbread treats from scratch can be time consuming and messy. Here are ideas for easy recipes using store bought mixes.

Something about the holidays brings out a desire to cook and bake. There is nothing like the smell of holiday treats filling the air while cooking in the oven or on the stove top. Of course, nothing says, "Christmas time," like the smell of ginger.

Most gingerbread cookie recipes are easy to do, but with the holiday hustle and bustle it is hard to find time to mix, chill, roll, cut, bake, and clean. Especially for families with children. However, that does not mean not baking delightful treats. Here are some gingerbread cookie recipes and variations, using 1-2 pouches of Betty Crocker's gingerbread cookie mix and a little imagination.

Basic Gingerbread Cookies With Chips

This is a simple, no fuss way to add one's own touch to gingerbread cookie mix.

Items Needed:

• Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix (1, 1 lb pouch)
• 1 egg
• 1 Tablespoon Water
• 1/2 cup Butter, Softened (not melted)
• Holiday Colored Chips or Sprinkles
• 1/2 cup Sugar in a small bowl (for rolling the cookies in)

Directions:

1. Follow the directions on the Pouch. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray mixing spoon with baking spray so the dough will come off it easier. Mix egg, water, butter, and cookie mix in a bowl "until soft dough forms."
2. Pour in 1/2 to 1 cup of holiday colored chips or sprinkles. Mix into the dough. Sometimes, it is better to mix these using hands. Just be sure to spray them with baking spray so the dough comes off easily.
3. Once the chips or sprinkles are mixed, roll one inch balls.
4. Roll the balls in the sugar and place on a baking sheet.
5. "Bake 8" to 12 minutes (depends on the oven).
6. Wait one to two minutes before removing the cookies from the baking sheet.
7. Remove the cookies and cool on a wire rack (cooling rack) for 15 minutes.

If preparing this for a party:
- Place cookies on a large decorative plate (or even a veggie platter).
- Find some Green frosting or add green food coloring to white frosting and place in a small bowl.
- Place the bowl in the middle of the platter and let guests help themselves.

This is a quick, little fuss, low budget idea. Not to mention, very delicious. If desired, after step 2, roll the dough onto a floured surface and cut out shapes using seasonal cookie cutters. Bake for 8-12 minutes, and be sure to cool completely if icing for decoration.

Chocolate Gingerbread Balls

Items needed for this include:

• 1 pouch Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookie Mix
• 1 Egg
• 1 Tablespoon Water
• 1/2 cup Butter, Softened (not melted)
• 3 Tablespoons Corn Syrup (light)
• 1 12 ounce bag Dark Chocolate Chips or White Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Confectioners Sugar
• 1 Stick Butter, Softened
• 1/2 Cake Paraffin
• Parchment Paper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cookie mix, egg, 1/2 cup softened butter, 1 Tablespoon water until dough forms.
2. Make 1 inch balls and place on cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8-10 minutes.
4. Cool for 1-2 minutes on baking sheet. Finish cooling on wire rack (cooling rack) for fifteen minutes.
5. Once the cookies are cool, place ina blender or food processor and make crumbs (or just crumble them into a bowl by hand).
6. Mix 1 stick softened butter, 1 cup confectioners sugar, 3 Tablespoons light corn syrup and the cookie crumbs in a bowl.
7. Roll mixture into 1 inch balls and place on parchment paper on cookie sheets. Set aside and prepare chocolate.
8. Melt 1/2 cake paraffin and bag of chocolate chips in a pot over medium heat. Once melted turn heat down (do not leave it, because it will burn if it gets too hot).
9. Using toothpicks or a fork, dip the gingerbread balls into the chocolate mixture and set on parchment paper and let cool. Use the chocolate mixture sparingly or there may not be enough.
10. Once the gingerbread balls have cooled, store them in metal containers or sealable containers.
11. If not wanting to make the cookies before hand or to save time, use store bought gingersnap cookies instead. These also make great inexpensive holiday gifts. Simply place in a decorative tin or container and give to friends and family.

Raw Gingerbread Cookies 

Why not try a raw ginger cookie?  Did you know that of all of the species alive on the planet, humans are the only ones that generally always heat their food rather than consume it raw? Interestingly enough, we also tend to not live for anywhere near as long as our bodies are capable of sustaining us for. Is this merely a coincidence? Is it perhaps a negative side effect of eating cooked rather than raw foods as one does in a vegan diet? But the real secret that's been kept from us is how delicious a raw diet can actually be!

Everyone loves the sweet flavor and aroma of freshly baked gingerbread that's just come out of the oven. The smell is what usually entices us to eat them. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Raw Gingerbread Cookies although they do taste quite good. Honest; they really do!

We want to introduce you to  Raw Gingerbread Cookies because ginger is extremely beneficial in promoting good health. This remarkable little herb is so rich in anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties which aid many of the disorders we humans tend to suffer from. Ginger has been used as a traditional medicine as well as a spice throughout the world in many cultures over the years. Immature ginger has a juicy texture with a mild, sweet spicy taste or if matured it becomes fibrous and stronger in flavor.

Perhaps there is something to this relatively new "raw food" movement and philosophy worth considering. It's beginning to appear that most of the population is eating themselves into an early grave. Why? Because we prefer the taste and texture of cooked foods over the benefits of eating raw ones! Why not try some vegan gingerbread cookies for yourself? As I stated, they are delicious.

So for a change, put down that box of oreos for a bit, and try a raw cookie instead since it will be full of helpful nutrients and is definitely a much healthier option. Let's face it, Neanderthals lived without cooked food and were most likely much healthier than many people these days. They didn't suffer any of the chronic illnesses that are so wide spread today as a result of eating foods that have been cooked and so over processed, that it removes much of its nutritional value. Our cooked food is literally killing us.  At minimum it's making us sick.

Forget ovens and microwaves; instead get the brainwaves fired up by looking for some healthy raw food recipes! Check out these Raw Gingerbread Cookies. These tasty treats may require you to drink a very large glass of water or two due to the dehydration of the ingredients.

These cookies couldn't be simpler to make as they are a simple mixture of:

• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup Ground walnuts
• 10 Dates
• 1/2 cup Ground flax seeds
• 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
• 1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. Cloves
• 1 Tbs. Cinnamon
• Pinch Salt
• 1 Tbs. Shredded Ginger

Method: Throw all of the ingredients into your food processor and mix, grind or mash till really gooey! Form into cookies and leave to dehydrate for around ten hours.

Raw foods may be a bit of a hit and miss with children, but persevere by trying out different recipes like apple and strawberry pie. Delicious! The kids will love it.

Oh and by the way did you know that ginger also has aphrodisiac properties? Now you do.