10.10.2012

Jenna's Gingerbread Sandwiches with Chocolate Butter Cream

 These photos were featured in the Savannah Morning News with Miss Sophie's weekly food column this morning.  Gingerbread cookies with chocolate buttercream frosting; who would have thought of such a combination?  

I was quite skeptical when Miss Sophie told me she was making this for Jenna's party.  I figured since I love chocolate butter cream, I could always lick the filling off the gingerbread cookies, right?
But the moment I took a bite, I tasted all the wonderful flavors of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but even better, with smooth, silky, chocolate buttercream too.  

Improving on the wonderful flavors of Thanksgiving and Christmas?  Yes, folks.  It can be done. 
These are on my 'must make' list of cookies for the year.  



OLD FASHIONED GINGERBREAD COOKIES
From “White Jacket Required” by Jenna Weber.  
Used with permission by author

2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
2/3 cup molasses
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 325 F. In a large heavy-bottom pot, combine brown sugar, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and white pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat and continue to boil for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove pot from stove and add baking soda, stirring to combine well (be careful: the mixture will bubble up here – just keep stirring!). Add butter a few chunks at a time, stirring to combine with each addition. Add egg and stir, Stir in the flour and salt gradually. The dough will be very soft and still warm.
Roll the dough 1/4 – inch think on a floured surface and cut into rounds with a cookie cutter or large glass.
Bake cookies, spaced 2 inches apart, until golden and just set, about 12 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool. The cookies will firm up as the cool.
To make sandwiches, spread Chocolate Buttercream Icing on one cookie and top with another cookie.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING
From “White Jacket Required” by Jenna Weber. This is a delicious and easy frosting recipe that would also be delicious on white or yellow cupcakes. 
Used with permission by author

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 cups powdered sugar
Pinch of sea salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons milk
In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla for 5 minutes on high speed. Add the cocoa powder and milk and keep beating for another 8-10 minutes until very light, thick and fluffy.

8 comments:

  1. Those look amazing Kay, I'm putting these on my list :)
    mickey

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  2. Actually, the late Laurie Colwin wrote a recipe for a chocolate iced gingerbread cake back in the late '80s or early '90s. It's really a wonderful combination and I can't wait to try these cookies. They look amazing!

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  3. You have been a busy lady of late! Love these cookies ... they remind me of a recipe for apple cream pennies that Mrs. Field's had in her cookbook back in the 80's. What a lovely Fall cookie!

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  4. Hi Kay, I spent quite a bit of time tracking back to things I've missed as of lately, on your blog...Wow! I must say you are such a great PR. Promoting Jenna's cookbook, and being so busy with the 'book signing event'...absolutely amazing! I enjoyed the photos so much with all the wonderful foods on the buffet you and Miss Sophie prepared.
    Love the delicious gingerbread cookies sandwiches, and I will certainly want to make these amazing cookies soon; the holidays are just right around the corner. So happy that you stopped by my blog, I really appreciate it, knowing how busy you are, probably busier than before:) Take care my dear friend! xo

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  5. Gorgeous sandwich cookies, Kay. Chocolate butter cream sounds amazing as the filling.

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  6. These look perfect! Wishing I could taste one right now.

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  7. Wow, I missed this recipe!! Looks great. I'm having fun scrolling through and looking at your recipes and pictures. Thank you.

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  8. They sound fantastic and you have convinced me to try them:)

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