Christmas Gingerbread Baking
A Cozy Baking Afternoon at Home
After our visit to Tuomaanmarkkinat, we headed home for some quiet family time, continuing the Advent traditions with a little holiday baking. This year, we decided to make easy gingerbread cookies from scratch—and it turned out to be a fun activity to do with my little one. The gingerbread dough itself is simple to make: flour, soda, sugar, syrup, butter, eggs and a mix of spices.
As we started baking my little one loved cutting out the cookie shapes with festive cookie cutters, pressing stars, sheep, and trees onto the dough. The house quickly filled with the sweet, warm aroma of baking gingerbread—truly the scent of Christmas! Once the cookies were done, we decorated them with icing and of course, tasted a few right out of the oven.
Baking gingerbread cookies has become a cute tradition in our family for the last three years, and it’s something I look forward to every year. It’s simple, yet it brings joy, especially when shared with loved ones. Whether you’re making them for yourself or giving them as gifts, there’s something special about creating these little treats by hand.
A Perfect Advent Weekend
Our visit to Tuomaanmarkkinat and the cozy afternoon of baking made for a perfect second Advent. Helsinki’s Christmas market offers a beautiful mix of holiday magic, from its festive stalls and delicious foods to its family-friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying the warm glögi, riding the Carusel, or simply soaking in the Christmas spirit, Tuomaanmarkkinat is a place where the joy of the season comes to life.
And at home, the simple tradition of baking gingerbread cookies with my little one added the perfect touch to a festive weekend. As the Christmas season draws closer, I can’t wait for more adventures, more cookies, and more moments of holiday joy.
This makes 100 cookies ( I made a small batch about 1/3 of the recipe)
1½ dl syrup
2 dl brown sugar (normal sugar works too)
250g butter
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp ginger
1 tbsp cloves
½ tsp salt
2 eggs
2 tsp baking soda (baking powder works too)
9 dl wheat flour
Directions
Measure the syrup, sugar, butter, and spices into a saucepan. Cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth and shiny. Let it cool.
Whisk the eggs into the mixture. Add the baking soda and flour mixture, and stir to form a smooth dough. Let it firm up in the refrigerator. Roll out the dough in small batches into thin sheets on a floured surface. Use a cookie cutter to shape the gingerbread cookies. Transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 200°C (400°F) until golden and crisp in the middle/upper part of the oven (depending on thickness, 5–8 minutes). Let cool.
Other Gingerbread Recipes
Read a similar gingerbread recipe from here, that has lemon zest in the mix.
How to make the gingerbread dough: Step by step images
