Gingerbread Pool Cookies

There’s nothing quite like the joy of Christmas baking, and today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that perfectly combines holiday whimsy and deliciousness: Gingerbread Pool Cookies! These adorable treats are as fun to make as they are to eat, featuring tiny gingerbread men lounging in pools of white chocolate, surrounded by festive sprinkles. If you’re looking to impress your friends and family with a creative yet easy-to-make cookie, this recipe is just what you need.

Let’s dive into the details of these charming Christmas cookies!

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Gingerbread Pool Cookies:

For the Dough:

• Unsalted Butter: Brings a rich, buttery flavor to the dough, essential for that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the dough subtly and contributes to the tender texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the sweetness.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability to the cookies, balancing the wet ingredients.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds a hint of chocolate flavor.
• Gingerbread Spice: Essential for enhancing the flavor profile.

For the Filling and Decoration:

• White chocolate (or white couverture)
• A selection of festive sprinkles (stars, snowflakes, etc.)
• Mini gingerbread men cookies (available in most baking aisles or homemade)

You’ll need the following tools for making the Gingerbread Pool Cookies:

• Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for combining the cookie dough ingredients and smaller ones for measuring.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: For creaming the butter and sugars, and mixing the dough.
• Spatula: To fold in the dry ingredients and combine the mixtures.
• Baking Sheet: For baking the cookies.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking sheet, preventing the cookies from sticking.
• Cooling Rack: For allowing the cookies to cool evenly after baking.
• Piping Bag: To fill the cookies with the chocolate.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 300 g (2 1/2 cups) all-purpose flour
• 200 g (7/8 cup) butter, softened
• 80 g (2/3 cup) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp gingerbread spice (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon as an alternative)

For the Filling and Decoration:

• 150 g (5.3 oz) white chocolate (or white couverture)
• A selection of festive sprinkles (stars, snowflakes, etc.)
• Mini gingerbread men cookies (available in most baking aisles or homemade)

Directions:

Prepare the Dough:

1. Sift the Dry Ingredients: Start by sifting the flour, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder into a large mixing bowl. This step ensures a smooth, lump-free dough.
2. Add Butter and Spices: Cut the butter into small cubes and add it to the bowl, along with the gingerbread spice or cinnamon.
3. Mix the Dough: Use your hands or a pastry cutter to work the mixture until it forms a smooth, pliable dough. This process might take a few minutes but is worth the effort for a well-blended dough.
4. Chill the Dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least one hour. For deeper flavors, let it chill overnight.

Shape and Bake the Cookies:

1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 140°C (285°F) for fan-assisted baking or 160°C (320°F) for top and bottom heat.
2. Form Cookie Balls: Remove the dough from the fridge and roll it into small, even-sized balls (about the size of a walnut). Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
3. Create the Pools: Use the end of a wooden spoon or your finger to gently press a small indentation into the center of each ball. This will be where the “pool” of chocolate will sit later.
4. Bake the Cookies: Bake the cookies for about 10 minutes. Keep an eye on them—they should be firm but not overly browned.
5. Cool Completely: Transfer the cookies to a cooling rack and let them cool completely before moving to the next step.

Decorate the Cookies

1. Melt the White Chocolate: Break the white chocolate into pieces and melt it gently in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, or microwave it in short bursts, stirring in between.
2. Fill the Pools: Spoon the melted chocolate into the indentations of each cookie, creating the “pool.”
3. Add Decorations: While the chocolate is still wet, place a mini gingerbread man into each pool. Sprinkle festive decorations like snowflakes, stars, or holiday-themed sprinkles around the edge. Get creative—this is where the fun begins!

Let the Cookies Set

1. Allow the cookies to sit at room temperature until the chocolate is fully set. If you’re in a hurry, you can place them in the fridge for a short time to speed up the process. Once set, store the cookies in an airtight tin to keep them fresh.

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Cookies:

• Chill the Dough: Chilling the dough is crucial for easy handling and prevents the cookies from spreading too much in the oven.
• Custom Decorations: Don’t feel limited to gingerbread men. Try using tiny snowmen, Christmas trees, or even reindeer sprinkles for variety.
• Alternative Chocolate: If you prefer, you can use milk or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate for a different flavor profile.
• Make It Homemade: Can’t find mini gingerbread men? Bake your own using a simple gingerbread recipe and a tiny cookie cutter.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fun for All Ages: These cookies are perfect for baking with kids or as a group activity. The decorating process is sure to bring plenty of laughter and holiday cheer.

Irresistible Flavor: The cookies themselves are rich and chocolatey, with a warm hint of festive spices. Combined with the creamy sweetness of white chocolate, they’re a treat that’s hard to resist.

A Showstopper on the Table: These cookies are as eye-catching as they are delicious. They’re bound to be the star of your holiday dessert spread!

More Christmas Baking Ideas:

• Grinch Crinkle Cookies – These bright green cookies are fun, festive, and finished with a sweet sugar heart, making them the perfect treat to spread Christmas cheer.
• Santa Hat Cookies – Adorable and delicious, these Linzer-style cookies are filled with fruity jam and topped with icing for the perfect Santa hat look.
• Melted Snowman Cookies – Fun and whimsical, these sugar cookies feature melted marshmallows and chocolate decorations for a snowman that’s sure to melt your heart.
• Roasted Matcha Cookies – Add a sophisticated touch to your holiday spread with these earthy roasted matcha cookies, topped with a creamy layer and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
• Cinnamon Stars (Zimtsterne) – A German Christmas classic, these star-shaped cookies are made with almonds, hazelnuts, and a sweet glaze, delivering a taste of tradition with every bite.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: