Honey Spiced Gingerbread Cookies (Christmas Tree Ornaments)

These honey-spiced gingerbread cookies are designed to be both delicious and decorative! Enhanced with Honey in the Hollow Bee Farm honey, these cookies are sturdy enough to hang on the Christmas tree while adding a warm, festive aroma to your home.

Appliance: Oven

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)       Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serving Size: 2 (about 8 ornament cookies)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Honey in the Hollow Bee Farm honey
• 1 small egg
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• royal icing for decorating (optional)
• ribbon or twine for hanging

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the honey, egg, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix well.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until combined.
5. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
7. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness.
8. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters, making sure they are thick enough to be sturdy.
9. Use a straw to make a small hole near the top of each cookie for hanging.
10. Place cookies on a lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned.
11. Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack.
12. Decorate with royal icing if desired, making sure not to cover the hanging hole.
13. Once the icing is set, thread a ribbon or twine through the hole to hang the cookies on the tree.

Dietary Labeling: Vegetarian

Nutritional Values (per serving):

Calories: 180 | Protein: 2g | Carbs: 27g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g

Tips & Tricks:

Make the hole for hanging slightly larger than needed, as the cookies may expand slightly during baking.

Add a few drops of food coloring to the royal icing for a more festive look.

Store undecorated cookies in an airtight container if you plan to hang them for an extended period.