Her Love Language: Holiday Edition No. 3

From Flour to Forever: The Magic of Gingerbread Cookies

Every year, as the holiday season rolls in, my sister and I come together to create something special. For the past ten years, gingerbread cookies have been more than just a treat—they’ve been a tradition. A sweet, spicy, and messy kind of magic that fills our hearts as much as it fills our kitchen.

This time of year has always been one of our favourites. There's something comforting about pulling out the Christmas decorations, untangling lights, and watching the tree come to life with ornaments we’ve collected over the years. And somewhere in the middle of that holiday chaos, the scent of warm gingerbread spices fills the air as we roll out dough, sing off-key to Christmas songs, and dance around the kitchen like we’re in our own holiday movie.

When we first started this tradition, we were just figuring things out. Every year, the cookies came out a little different—too soft, too crispy, or just plain odd. But the beauty of those imperfect cookies was the time we spent together. Now, after years of trial and error (and a lot of laughs), we’ve finally mastered a recipe that feels like us.

And here’s the twist—it’s a gingerbread cookie recipe without molasses. No hate to Molasses fans, but it’s just not our thing. Instead, we lean into what we love: the warmth of cinnamon, the boldness of ginger, and a surprising brightness from freshly squeezed ginger juice. It’s a cookie that’s soft yet sturdy, creamy yet crisp around the edges—a perfect metaphor for the way my sister and I balance each other out.

For me, these cookies are about more than flavour. They’re a love language. Every roll of the pin, every shared laugh, and every cookie cutout feels like a piece of love I’m sharing with my sister. She’s my little baby, my partner-in-crime, and the reason this tradition means so much to me. Baking together has become our way of saying “I love you” without needing the words.

There’s something magical about creating traditions like this—traditions that grow, evolve, and wrap themselves around you like a warm hug. Whether it’s with your family, your friends, or even just with yourself, these moments remind us of what the holidays are truly about: connection, love, and memories that linger long after the last crumb is gone.

So, as you try this recipe, I hope you feel a little of the love and joy we’ve poured into it over the years. Make it your own, dance to your favourite songs, and maybe even start a tradition that fills your home with the same warmth that fills mine.

Here’s to love, laughter, and gingerbread cookies that taste like togetherness.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks (1 cup, 8 oz, 224 g) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes

• 2 ½ cups (20 oz, 560 g) lightly packed dark brown sugar (or light brown sugar for a milder flavor)

• 2 large eggs, cold

• 1 can (160 g) cream

• 5 cm piece of fresh ginger, grated

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 tbsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 1 tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp ground clove (optional)

• 4 cups (17 oz, 476 g) all-purpose flour (measured properly)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground ginger, and salt. Whisk together until evenly mixed.

   

2. Whisk the Eggs and Vanilla Extract: In a separate bowl, beat the egg white of one egg until slightly frothy. Then add the second whole egg and continue whisking.

   

   Stir in the vanilla extract to the mixture once it's carefully incorporated.

   

3. Add Sugar: Gradually add the brown sugar and beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

   

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   

5. Incorporate the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the crumbly mixture. Use your hands or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dough until it becomes slightly more cohesive but still crumbly.

6. Add the Cream and Ginger Juice: Pour in the cream and ginger juice. The mixture will become messy and sticky—don’t worry, this is normal! Continue mixing gently until the dough comes together.

7. Chill the Dough: Once the dough is formed, place it in the fridge to chill for about 15-20 minutes. While the dough chills, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

   

8. Roll Out the Dough: Lightly flour your work surface and the dough. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough evenly. Be careful not to roll it too thin—you want the cookies to have some thickness for a soft, chewy texture.

9. Cut Out Shapes: Use your preferred cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough.

   

   Transfer the shapes onto a baking tray lined with wax paper, leaving some space between each cookie.

   

10. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies are golden brown around the edges.

11. Cool and Serve: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking tray for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy them plain or decorate as you wish!

Now it’s your turn—what holiday traditions make your heart feel full? Do you have a recipe that brings your family together or a dish that feels like your own love language? I’d love to hear about the memories and magic you create in your kitchen during this season.

Let me know if you try this gingerbread recipe, and don’t forget to share your creations! Tag me on Instagram, @her.amore.language, so I can see and celebrate your moments of love and joy.

Because at the end of the day, the heart of every recipe is love.

From her kitchen, with love ♡