Christmas Cookie Word Jumble

I came up with this idea when I was looking to make something special for one of Dr. B’s nurses in Baghdad. Ruwaida is just the sweetest person and every five weeks Dr. B arrives home usually with a gift for me from her tucked into his suitcase. She has sent me so many lovely things. Her thoughtfulness is all over my home.

I am especially grateful to her for something I will never forget she said to me shortly after Dr. B had arrived in Iraq to start work.  I was on pins and needles those first months, especially anxious for his safety. Ruwaida got me on the telephone one day and said Don’t worry pretty lady. I am right by his side. No one will dare touch him. I can’t even explain how that made me feel better but it did. She’s tough, funny, beautiful and caring.

The idea is this –  I made extra spicy gingerbread rollout cookie dough and cut out small letters that spelled out “Lovely Ruwaida”.

Then using this cute Wilton miniature christmas cutter set, I also cut out Christmas shapes.

Everything was covered with holiday colored royal icing and decorated with dragees, non pariels, glitter, sprinkles, etc.

I put the cookies in a clear cellophane bag, tied it with a ribbon then tucked the bag into a fancy tin lined with tissue paper to protect it during it’s journey from Germany to Baghdad.

When Ruwaida gets the cookies, she can put the letters together to find the message.

Super cute, no?  I want to make these for my nieces as well with special messages for them. Obviously, this gift does not need to be limited to Christmas. The idea makes a cute present for any occasion and the possibilities for shapes, words and decorations are endless.

GIVEAWAY REMINDER!

Before I get to the cookie recipe, I  want to remind everyone I am giving away these hand carved wooden Spekulatius cookie molds I bought here in a Christmas market in Germany.

You can use them as cookie molds or hang them in your home. There is a hole in the back of them for a nail. they each measure approximately 7+1/2  X 3+3/4 inches.  To win leave a comment HERE

Christmas Cookie Word Jumble
Adapted from a Woman’s Day recipe for Gingerfolks I tore out of a 20 year old issue of the magazine I have been schlepping around since.

Super Spicy Gingerbread Cookies


Ingredients:

• 1 stick butter
• 3 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 cups AP flour

Directions:

• Pre heat oven to 350 degress F (200 degrees C)
• Beat butter and sugar until creamy at medium speed
• Add spices, baking powder and baking soda until combined.
• Add vanilla. Mix thoroughly.
• Add molasses and egg yolk.
• Lower the speed of the mixer and beat in flour until just blended into the dough.
• Divide into two portions and wrap in plastic cling film and refrigerate until firm.
• Take one portion out of the fridge and roll out on a flour surface.
• Cut out desired shapes with cutters.

The recipe says this makes 36 three inch or 12 six inch cookies.


Royal Icing


Ingredients

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2+1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 -1 teaspoon of any flavored extract of your choice.

Directions

• Whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue.
• Add water and beat until you achieve desired consistency.
• You can add more milk or water to thicken or thin the icing.
• Divide into bowls and tint with food coloring.
• For mine above I used  Wilton’s no taste red and leaf green

For decorating tips, I suggest you head over to University of Cookie. She has excellent video tutorials for decorating with royal icing and other great tips on making and decorating cookies.