Thin Crispy Almond Gingerbread Cookies

This recipe guides you through creating a batch of deliciously thin and crispy almond gingerbread cookies. These delightful cookies are rich in warm spices and flavored with ground almonds, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Perfect for the holiday season or any time you crave a spice-filled treat, these cookies leave your kitchen smelling heavenly. The use of dark sugar syrup or honey enhances the depth of flavor, while the blend of spices provides an aromatic experience. Crispy on the edges and tender in the center, they are the quintessential cookie for tea time or a holiday gathering. The recipe is simple enough for beginners but yields impressive results. With a cooling time in the refrigerator, the dough becomes more manageable, ensuring perfect results each time. Serve these treats as is, or pair them with a hot beverage for an indulgent experience.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 100 g sugar
• 165 ml dark sugar syrup or honey
• 2 tsp baking soda
• Approx. 500 g flour
• 150 g almonds
• 1 egg
• 125 g butter

Spices

• Gingerbread spices or:
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tsp ground allspice

Preparation Time

Total Time: 120 minutes

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Begin by melting the sugar, dark sugar syrup or honey, and spices in a medium saucepan over low heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Make sure to use a pot that is large enough, as the mixture will expand when the baking soda is added.
2. Remove the pot from the heat and sprinkle in the baking soda. Stir consistently as the mixture will triple in size, creating a frothy texture.
3. Add the butter to the mixture and stir until completely melted. This will cool the mixture slightly.
4. Introduce the egg into the mixture and beat vigorously until well combined. This step ensures the egg is evenly distributed, contributing to the dough's consistency.
5. Toast the almonds lightly, then blend them into a fine flour. Mix the ground almonds into the dough.
6. Gradually add the flour, a spoonful at a time, mixing until you achieve a kneadable dough. The dough should be slightly sticky, but not dry or crumbly.
7. Place the dough in a plastic bag or wrap tightly, and let it rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour. This cooling time helps the dough firm up, making it easier to handle.
8. After cooling, take a small portion of dough and roll it between two pieces of parchment paper. This prevents sticking and allows you to achieve a very thin and even layer.
9. Use cookie cutters to stamp out shapes from the rolled dough. For ease, freeze the cutouts for 5 minutes before transferring them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
10. Preheat your oven to 200°C (approximately 392°F). Keep in mind that oven temperatures can vary, so monitor the cookies closely.
11. Carefully transfer the chilled cookie cutouts onto the pre-lined baking sheet. Ensure they have sufficient space between to expand slightly while baking.
12. Bake the cookies for 5-7 minutes, until they just start to turn golden at the edges. The first batch may take longer, with subsequent batches baking more quickly.
13. Remove cookies from the oven and allow them to cool on the baking sheet briefly before transferring to a wire rack. This initial cooling prevents breaking.
14. Once completely cooled, enjoy these crisp, fragrant cookies with your favorite beverage. Serve them alongside tea, coffee, or mulled wine.

Tips

• Freezing the dough briefly before handling makes it easier to cut precise shapes without sticking.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• Try adding a pinch of nutmeg for an extra layer of aroma and taste.

Nutritions

• Calories: 80 per cookie
• Protein: 1.2 g
• Fats: 3.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 11 g

Variations

• Use coconut sugar instead of regular sugar for a deeper caramel flavor.
• Swap almonds with hazelnuts for a different nutty undertone.
• Replace honey with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair these cookies with a hot cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa.
• Serve with fresh fruit or a berry compote for a refreshing contrast.

Best Places

• Balthazar Bakery - Known for their artisanal pastries and European-style gingerbread cookies. Location: 80 Spring St, New York, USA.
• Fortnum & Mason - Renowned for their luxury foods and elegant setting, offering gingerbread delicacies. Location: 181 Piccadilly, London, UK.
• Elkano - A charming bakery celebrated for its innovative cookies crafted from traditional recipes. Location: Herrerieta Kalea, 2, Getaria, Spain.
• Ladurée - Esteemed for their macarons and delightful assortment of petite cookies. Location: 21 Rue Bonaparte, Paris, France.
• Schmidt's Bakery - German bakers famous for delectable treats, including crisp gingerbread. Location: 511 N Webster St, Naperville, USA.
• Gerbeaud Café - A historical café offering refined pastries and classic gingerbread. Location: Vörösmarty tér 7-8, Budapest, Hungary.
• Fabrique - Specializes in authentic Scandinavian baked goods and cookies. Location: Riddargatan 9D, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Café Demel - Offers exquisite Viennese pastries and spiced cookies. Location: Kohlmarkt 14, Vienna, Austria.
• Antico Forno Roscioli - Traditional Italian bakery with a range of baked goods including spice-infused cookies. Location: Via dei Chiavari, 34, Rome, Italy.
• Harbs - A café that brings Japanese finesse to Western-style cakes and cookies. Location: 1-1-10 Umeda Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan.