# Ingredient List:
→ Gingerbread Cookies
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/2 cup molasses
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Royal Icing
12 - 2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 1 large egg white or 2 tablespoons aquafaba (egg-free)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
15 - Food coloring (optional)
→ Dips & Spreads
16 - 1 cup vanilla yogurt
17 - 2 tablespoons honey
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
→ Assorted Sweets & Decorations
20 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
21 - 1/2 cup assorted gumdrops
22 - 1/2 cup chocolate buttons or coins
23 - 1/2 cup peppermint candies
24 - 1/2 cup pretzel sticks
25 - 1/2 cup candy canes, broken into small pieces
# Steps:
01 - Cream the unsalted butter and brown sugar in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. In another bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate dry mixture into wet ingredients until combined. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut shapes such as houses, trees, stars, or village forms. Arrange shapes on parchment-lined baking sheets.
03 - Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are firm. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
04 - Beat powdered sugar, egg white (or aquafaba), and lemon juice until smooth. Optionally divide and tint with food coloring. Transfer icing to piping bags for decorating.
05 - Decorate the cooled gingerbread cookies with royal icing and assorted candies to form village houses and trees. Allow icing to set fully before assembling the board.
06 - Combine vanilla yogurt, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl and mix well.
07 - Arrange decorated cookies, yogurt dip, chocolate hazelnut spread, marshmallows, gumdrops, peppermint candies, pretzels, candy canes, and chocolate buttons on a large platter to create a festive gingerbread village scene.
