# What You'll Need:
→ Gingerbread Cookies
01 - 3 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup brown sugar
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
04 - 1/2 cup molasses
05 - 1 large egg
06 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
07 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
08 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
09 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
10 - 1 teaspoon baking soda
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Royal Icing
12 - 2 cups powdered sugar
13 - 1 large egg white or 2 tablespoons aquafaba for egg-free
14 - 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
15 - Food coloring (optional)
→ Dips & Spreads
16 - 1 cup vanilla yogurt
17 - 2 tablespoons honey
18 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
19 - 1/2 cup chocolate hazelnut spread
→ Assorted Sweets & Decorations
20 - 1 cup mini marshmallows
21 - 1/2 cup assorted gumdrops
22 - 1/2 cup chocolate buttons or coins
23 - 1/2 cup peppermint candies
24 - 1/2 cup pretzel sticks
25 - 1/2 cup candy canes, broken into small pieces
# How to Make It:
01 - In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt. Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture until combined. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
02 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut into house, tree, star, or village shapes with cookie cutters. Arrange shapes on parchment-lined baking sheets.
03 - Bake cookies for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are firm. Remove from oven and cool completely on wire racks.
04 - Beat powdered sugar, egg white or aquafaba, and lemon juice until smooth. Divide and tint with food coloring if desired. Transfer icing to piping bags.
05 - Use royal icing and assorted candies to decorate cooled cookies as village houses and trees. Allow icing to set fully.
06 - Combine vanilla yogurt, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Mix until smooth.
07 - Arrange gingerbread cookies, dips, marshmallows, gumdrops, chocolates, peppermint candies, pretzels, and candy canes on a large platter. Create a festive village scene using pretzel sticks and marshmallows for fencing and snow, and decorate with candies as desired.
