As you step into a Latvian home during Christmas time, you are greeted by the warm, inviting scent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies!
“The annual gingerbread baking morning at the Embassy of Latvia is one of our most beautiful Christmas traditions, bringing the Latvian Christmas spirit to Washington, D.C.!”
-Māris Selga, Ambassador of Latvia
🇱🇻 Latvia: Piparkūkas—Latvian Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 12 ounce jar of molasses such as Grandma’s Molasses
- 1 cup butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 3½ teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- Zest of one orange
- 1- inch piece of ginger root grated (can substitute with 1 teaspoon ground ginger powder)
- 6 ½ – 7 cups flour divided
- 2 eggs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- A pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat molasses, butter and sugars. Remove from heat and mix in spices, orange zest and grated ginger. Mix in three cups of flour. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
- Add eggs, three more cups of flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and black pepper, and mix the dough. If needed, gradually add another cup of flour. Expect the dough to be relatively sticky and thick. Divide into portions and refrigerate. It is easier to work with refrigerated dough.
- To make the cookies roll out the dough to desired thickness onto a floured surface, such as a wooden cutting board (some prefer them to be very thin). Cut with cookie cutters and place onto a cookie sheet. If desired, prior to baking, brush with a beaten egg. Cookies can be decorated with sliced almonds or various sugars or frostings.
- Bake at 350°F for approximately 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned.