Who doesn’t love playing with their food? I always encourage it because it's fun! It’s time for you to break the mold of the cookie-cutter, and try this fun German gingerbread cookie village! Fill your house with the best-ever aroma with these spicy gingerbread cookies.
Gingerbread is an absolute must for the holidays. The warm, cozy scent of gingerbread drifting through my kitchen and the whole house is enough to make even the Grinch sing Christmas carols.
The recipe for German gingerbread cookies, or Lebkuchen, is a cannot-fail recipe. The touch of almond extract adds a beautiful flavor and aroma to the cookies.
This sweet cookie village makes a giant snow globe when placed in a jar and makes the perfect Christmas gift.
Trust me, these will be some of the best tasting gingerbread cookies you will ever make. Note: the recipe is adapted from BHG magazine.
You can cut the shapes in little houses, people, reindeer, and more to create your scenery, and then cut some into snowflakes for your snow. It’s your chance to be creative and make a little art with your cookies. Download the FREE TEMPLATE for the village and decorate as desired.
Lebkuchen
Lebkuchen, or Pfefferkuchen, is a traditional German Christmas treat resembling Gingerbread. German Lebkuchen is usually soft, but a harder type of Lebkuchen is used to produce Lebkuchen hearts (found on German fairs) which are usually inscribed with affectionate, sarcastic, or obscene messages in icing.
I don't think anyone eats them though. They're like a souvenir and I had my fair share of Lebkuchenherzen when I lived there.
Kids love helping out in the kitchen, especially when it comes to baking, so this recipe is perfect for your little helpers to get involved!
Making edible houses if fun! Each one will be completely unique too, a little something for each kid to show off as their own.
I do find, however, that kids will love creating gingerbread cookies and decorating them, but oftentimes won’t eat them. I know ginger is an acquired taste for some, but it just warms you up and gets you in the spirit.
Variations:
If you want to get even more creative, feel free to use some decorative icing on your gingerbread buildings, people, animals, and trees. I usually just engrave little drawings onto them and use some powdered sugar, but that choice is entirely yours!
If you’re trying to get in the Christmas spirit, it’s time to create some of these snow globe Lebkuchen!
I also highly recommend you accompany this recipe with some holiday tunes, the good company of family, and your favorite holiday drink.
Other edible gifts you will love:
- NO-BAKE EGGLESS CHOCOLATE SALAMI
- POLISH WALNUT KIFLIES
- EDIBLE CHRISTMAS CANDLES
- HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS BAILEYS
Snow Globe German Gingerbread Cookie Village
Equipment
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutter
- Cookie sheet
Ingredients
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 sticks butter 1 cup
- 1 cup dark brown sugar packed
- ½ cup molasses
- 1 egg
- ½ cup milk
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk all the dry ingredients except sugar, until well combined.
- Next, with an electric mixer on high speed, beat the butter, brown sugar, and molasses in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add egg and beat until smooth.
- Knead the dough until smooth: divide in half. Wrap each dough half in plastic wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Meanwhile, roll each dough half on parchment paper into a rectangle, about 15x10-inch. Using the village template (or free-hand)and a sharp knife, score shapes on each sheet of dough, without cutting completely through the dough (this will help separate cookies after baking). Using a cookie cutter, cut out trees and other shapes as desired from the extra dough.
- Transfer each parchment sheet of dough to a 15x10-inch baking sheet (or do in two batches, keeping the other half of dough refrigerated until ready to use). Remove excess dough scraps. Add decorative detailing like brick and windows, using a sharp edge of a dough scraper or a knife, without cutting all the way through the dough.
- Bake 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and carefully cut along scored lines of the buildings and roof shapes. Bake 10 more minutes, or until firm. Cool completely on a wire rack before separating gingerbread pieces.
- Sprinkle cookies with powdered sugar, and gently rub it in. Cover with waxed paper and let stand for at least 30 minutes. Arrange cookies in a large glass jar filled with granulated sugar up to 2-3 inches. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- To imprint round shapes into the dough, use a straw, small bottle cap, or a small melon baller.
Nutrition
Elaine says
Lovely!! Great idea for a snow globe and the gingerbread sounds delicious. I plan to use the snow globe as a centerpiece on my kitchen table. Thanks for the idea and recipe,
Jas says
So glad you like it, Elaine! Happy holidays!
Carol says
I've seen these in bakeries and boutiques and just love them. This one is no exception. Featuring when my link party opens tonight.
Jas says
Don't you just love simple and cute ideas? Thank you for the feature, Carol! Super grateful! xx
Angie | Fiesta Friday says
How lovely!!
Jas says
Thank you, Angie!
.clai says
They look so cute and delicious it’s a shame you don’t eat them.
Jas says
Of course, you eat them! Why wouldn't you? 😀 The snow globe is just a suggestion for a centerpiece or to gift them. If not, nom nom nom. 😉
acraftymix says
Ahhhhhhh Jas, I could never in a million years eat these. They are so adorable, but you make them sound incredibly delicious. Maybe if I close my eyes I could take a teeny, tiny nibble 😉
Jas says
I had no problem eating them, lol. They don't have to be in the jar as a centerpiece. Just a suggestion or to gift them as such, otherwise eat them all! 😀
Virginia says
So cute and creative!
Jas says
Thank you, Virginia! x
Kat (The Baking Explorer) says
This is SO cute and SO creative!!
Jas says
Thank you SO SO much!
Ron says
That’s a very cute gingerbread village. Pepparkaka (gingersnap) houses are a big part of the Jul (Christmas) culture here, but yours is not as involved as making a big gingerbread house. Fun play I think and a great idea.
Jas says
Thanks, Ron. I rarely have the patience for something too involved, so these 2D houses have to do it, lol. Have a great week!
angie says
this is so super cute, love the display in a glass jar
Jas says
Many thanks, Angie! Hope you're having a lovely weekend. x