Gingerbread Cookie Mix

Eight days until Christmas. EIGHT!

Don't get me wrong, Christmas really is my favorite holiday. However, this year I'm so far behind, it's not even funny. Doesn't it seem like when you're little, you count down until Christmas and can't wait until the big day. But when you get older, Christmas morning creates a sort of panic? That could just be me, but I'm definitely feeling that way this year.

Oh, well. Always next year to be organized right? :)

If you are like me and still have yet to finish your holiday shopping, you should consider homemade gifts. I've never given them out before and don't know why it's taken me this long to give a gift I've made myself.

Gingerbread Cookie Mix in a Jar
Source: All Recipes

Flour Level:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda

Flour and Spice Mix:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 cup packed brown sugar

Directions
Mix 2 cups of the flour with the baking soda and baking powder. Mix the remaining 1 1/2 cups flour with the ginger, cloves, cinnamon, and allspice. In a 1 quart, wide mouth canning jar, layer the ingredients starting with the flour and baking powder mixture, then the brown sugar, and finally the flour and spice mixture. Pack firmly between layers.

Attach a card to the jar with the following directions:
Gingerbread Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Empty contents of jar into a large mixing bowl. Stir to blend together. Mix in 1/2 cup softened butter or margarine, 3/4 cup molasses, 1 Tbsp. vinegar, and 1 slightly beaten egg. Dough will be very stiff, so you may need to use your hands. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick on a lightly floured surface. Cut into shapes with a cookie cutter. Place cookies on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes in preheated oven. Decorate as desired.

Printable version

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