Chocolate gingerbread tradition

We love to do some baking at Christmas - there always seems to be something baking in our home & so it is natural to think of a home made gift.

My wondering star daughter became a Godparent for the first time this year; her & Andy are very hands on & while out shopping recently, they bought a Christmas Villeroy & Boch bowl with gingerbread on it - a perfect choice for homemade gifts.

Gingerbread supposedly has its roots in our Shropshire county town of Market Drayton gingerbread so it is the natural choice to fill the bowl.

The bowl is going to have Chocolate Gingerbread in it

Chocolate chip gingerbread

These make tasty Christmas tree decorations, as well as lovely gifts.

Ingredients
Makes about 20 biscuits 
225g unsalted butter, softened
340g soft brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
300g plain flour
50g cocoa powder
1tsp baking powder
½tsp salt
2tsp mixed spice
3tsp ground ginger
75g milk or dark chocolate chips
Icing and hundreds and thousands, to decorate

Use a food processor, or a wooden spoon, to beat together the butter and sugar. Gradually beat in the egg. Put the flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt and spices in a mixing bowl and whisk to get rid of any lumps. Stir the flour into the butter mix to get a smooth dough. Mix in the chocolate chips. Put the dough between 2 big sheets of clingfilm, and roll out to the thickness of a £1 coin. Chill in the fridge for half an hour and preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Cut out the biscuits, and put on greased baking tray, leaving 2cm between each. Bake for 10 minutes and then poke a hole in each if you want to hang them. Cool on a rack before decorating.

Fabulous recipe using organic produce so they are the best they can be

 

A very successful bake even if I did not get a photo of the completed ones ...

Do you don your apron for a bit of festive baking? What will you be making? Please share your links & thanks for stopping by ...

Dee ~♥~