Gingerbread Cookies

Gingerbread Cookies: Thankful Hearts

These warm, delicious, gingerbread cookies will fill your kitchen with the cozy scents of the season. Rolled thin for a crisper texture, or rolled a little thicker for more of a cake-like feel, Gingerbread Cookies will add the perfect touch to your winter baking.


Gingerbread Cookies  Printable Recipe

Makes about 32 assorted-size cookies
These cookies have a sweet, mild, flavor that children love. 

Ingredients:

2 and 3/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ginger
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown light brown sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup molasses
parchment paper
sugar cookie dough
red food coloring

Directions:


1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

2. Using a stand mixer on low, beat the butter and sugar together until smooth and well combined. Beat in egg until combined, and then molasses.
3. Add the flour mixture, about a third at a time, scraping sides of the bowl as necessary, until well-combined.
4. Divide the dough into thirds, and wrap in plastic wrap or place in lightly greased zip lock bags. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, if possible. The colder the dough is, the easier it is to work with, and the longer it rests in the fridge, the better the flavors can blend and develop.
5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly flour a sheet of parchment paper the size of your cookie sheet. Using a very well-floured rolling pin, roll part of the cold dough out onto the sheet of parchment paper to about 1/8" thick (the thinner you roll the dough, the better the cookies will hold their detail). Using cookie cutters dipped in flour, cut cookies about an inch apart. Gently peel the excess dough away from the cut cookies and set excess dough aside to re-roll. Slide parchment paper with cookies onto cookie sheet.
6. Bake cookies for about 11 to 12 minutes or until just beginning to very lightly brown. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes, then remove cookies to cooling rack until completely cool.
7. While one pan of cookies bakes, you can prepare the next pan for baking. Always return any dough you're not using at the moment to the fridge to keep it cold. Once the dough gets warm, it softens and is harder to work with. It's better to keep the dough cold than to add a lot of flour.
8. Store cookies in an airtight container, and they will keep well for several days. These freeze well, too. 


To make the hearts: I used purchased refrigerated sugar cookie dough. Cut off a few inches of dough and place on a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle dough liberally with flour and knead in until well mixed. Knead in a few drops of red food coloring until it is the desired shade. Again, keep this dough refrigerated until needed, and in between rollings.

On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8" (or thickness of your gingerbread cookies). Cut heart shapes with a small cookie cutter. Using the same heart cookie cutter, cut hearts out of the house-shaped gingerbread cookies and remove. Carefully place the sugar cookie heart into the gingerbread cookie and bake. This goes more easily if the dough is very cold.


You could bake the gingerbread hearts into small cookies, but I just rolled them back into the gingerbread dough.



Here are more ways to use the Gingerbread Cookies recipe:

 Ginger Cookies with Tea



Cookies for Santa!




Gingerbread Cookies may have been taken to some of these great parties! 



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111 comments:

  1. I just love these Gingerbread cookies. The heart in the center is just such a wonderful thought. You are a very patient person! Thanks so much for sharing these at the Fill The Cookie Jar group. I have pinned them and will be sharing!

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  2. Joy, these are adorable! I love gingerbread cookies. And I love how you put the heart in the center of each of these. So cute!

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  3. Joy, these are so adorable and they sound delicious, very festive.

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  4. Awesome cookies, Joy! They are so perfect. The bright red heart in the middle is just adorable!

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  5. I love that you made your gingerbread into houses with hearts.. Perfect symbolism for Thanksgiving...

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    1. Thank you, Marlys. They were kind of labor intensive, but once I got the idea in my head, I couldn’t “not” do them. :) I enjoyed seeing your beautiful Pumpkin Chai Biscotti!

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  6. These are such cute cookies! I love the hearts and they're perfect for Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thank you, Heather! I loved your Cranberry Thumbprint Cookies!

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  7. Joy these looks so good but I have to also add -- the idea of rolling them out ON the parchment -- brilliant! Never thought to do that and I have baking forever, too! Thanks!

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    1. Thanks!! I don't even remember where I read that hint, but it has certainly come in handy a time or two! :)

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    2. I shared it with Amara's Mommy, too!

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  8. These are perfect for this time of year! =)

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    1. Melissa, I think so, too. I love gingerbread flavors, and I just couldn't resist some cut out gingerbread cookies for fall. :)

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  9. What a wonderful, classic recipe! Love the hearts in the center! Also, love the idea of heart cookies to go along with the housrs!

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    1. You and I love the classics, don't we? :) I really did have fun making these cookies, Scarlett, especially the old-fashioned gingerbread men.

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  10. I love your cookies, Joy! I will have to try doing this type of cutout, I know it will be a hit. And, then I don't have to worry about any other decorating!

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    1. Kris, that's one of the things I liked, too- I'm not very good with royal icing and painting on little details! I guess you can tell by my poor little gingerbread men with no faces. :)

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  11. One of my favorite cookies grandma used to stir up! I am going to make these little hoses and send to all my grandkids! They will love it!

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    1. Gail, my grandson really loved these, so they are grandkid-approved! ;) I do love the old-fashioned appeal of these cookies- so traditional for the holidays!

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  12. I need to make these. I am going to bookmark so I can make these for Christmas. Great recipe.

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    1. Marlene, we really enjoyed them, and I liked making the different shapes! If you try the cookies, I hope you like them as much as we did! :)

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  13. I love gingerbread and these are super cute. I love the hearts!

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    1. Thank you, Michelle! I enjoyed seeing your Pumpkin Thumbprint Cookies! :)

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  14. I love the idea of the colored sugar cookie filling! Gingerbread is one of my favorite holiday treats, thanks for the recipe and the beautiful pictures!

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    1. Leslie, thank you so much! It just wouldn't be the holidays without gingerbread in some form or fashion! :)

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  15. Love those little hearts:))) Pinned

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    1. Evelyn, you are awesome to come by and to pin my little cookies! Thank you, and thanks for being such a sweet friend! :)

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  16. Super cute and yummy idea for the holidays! I am starting to give baking another shot, so will bookmark this!!

    Visiting from Sharefest - hope you can stop by!

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    1. Ana, I'm so glad you came by from Sharefest- thanks! :) If you try them I hope you like them as much as we do. When I visited your blog, I saw that you have a little one. My 14 month old grandson loves these! :)

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  17. Replies
    1. Thank you, Miss Stephanie, and thank you for coming by! :)

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  18. Your gingerbread cookies sound so yummy! I love the idea of making them thicker and more cake like. I need one with my coffee right now :)
    Thanks for a great recipe and another fun link up!
    Sami

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    1. Thank you, Sami- they are great with coffee! ;) Thanks for joining us for Let's Get Social Sunday!

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  19. Yum! One of my favorite Christmas cookies are gingerbread men. :) I would love to have you share this on The Creative Home & Garden Hop today!
    http://www.littlehomesteadonthehill@blogspot.com/

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    1. Lisa, thank you for the invitation- I will be there! :)

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  20. Your Gingerbread cookies are just beautiful and homey. I could see right away I needed to start a new board on pinterest just for cookies. Yours being the first pin. Thanks so much for sharing you gingerbread cookies on the Good Neighbor Hop.

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    1. Lynn, thank you so much- they were so much fun to make! If you pin something from me, I will be honored! :) Thank you for creating and hosting Good Neighbor Hop!

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  21. These looks so yummy! Thanks for sharing. i am pinning these :)
    Visiting from the TX Sweet Tea social

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    1. Alvina, thank you for coming by, and for pinning! Thanks for coming by from the Sweet Tea Social! :)

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  22. So cute, Joy! How sweet would these be on a Christmas cookie tray?!
    I love a crispy gingerbread cookie, so I think I'd roll mine thin. (Plus that would make more cookies, right? ;-)
    Thank you for stopping in and linking!

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    1. Michelle, I like mine on the thinner side, too....not only can you probably make more cookies that way....I figure you could eat a few more, too. Seeing as how they're so thin and all. ;) Thank for hosting See Ya in the Gumbo!

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  23. Those cookies are super cute and look YUMMY!

    Visiting from the Texas Women Bloggers Sweet Tea Social! XXOO

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    1. Thanks, Michelle- we really like them! Thank you for coming by from the social! :)

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  24. Joy, I just love the idea of putting a heart in them- so cute! And I love the reminder of what Thanksgiving is REALLY all about. We are also trying to keep gratitude in our hearts this holiday season.

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    1. Jamie, thank you. These cookies were so much fun to make, but I really wanted to convey the idea of gratitude and thankfulness. If I make these all year, will I remember to be grateful all year? :)

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  25. Hi Joy,
    I would love to fill my cookie jar with your awesome Gingerbread Cookies! Having Sweet Tea with you from Sweet Tea Social, enjoy your day!
    Miz Helen

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    1. I always enjoy seeing you at the Sweet Tea Social, Miz Helen! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  26. I'm delighted to see Thanksgiving symbolized by something besides a turkey! The warmth and love of "going back home" is expressed here so beautifully! Sure, the eating is always great, but just being together is the best part for most of us!

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    1. Oh, thank you, J, that's it exactly! :) Family and togetherness is highlighted this time of year, and that's what these cookies meant to me. Thank you for coming by!

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  27. Joy, the home and heart cookies are so special. I've never seen cutouts quite like that. Makes me want to start baking.

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    1. Thank you, Nancy, I really enjoyed creating these, and I do like the way they turned out. :) If I make you want to bake, then we are even- you make me want to taking stunning outdoor photographs. ;)

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  28. Oh, Joy, those are so cute, and I can almost smell that delicious gingerbread aroma! Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. Thank you, Carol- they do smell great while they're baking! :)

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  29. Hi Joy! You're going to turn me into a cookie monster if you keep showing me all these delicious looking cookies. Ha,ha! I pinned the gingerbread cookies. They are adorable and I'd like to try to make these for Thanksgiving Day. Thanks for sharing! <3

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    1. Vashti, I think you would make a wonderful cookie monster! :) Thank you for coming by, and thanks for pinning my li'l Thanksgiving cookies!!

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  30. I will have to try those out this year! Gingerbread cookies are delicious. I love the hearts!!!

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    1. Thank you, Rachel! If you try them I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! :)

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  31. Such cute gingerbread cookies. I will make them for Christmas and have my granddaughter help me. Visiting from GRAND Social

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    1. Oh, Kathy, that would be so much fun. I can't wait until my grands are old enough to bake cookies with! They've both just learned to walk, so there's a start! ;) Thank you so much for visiting from the Grand Social! :)

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  32. These are SO beautiful! I am a huge cookie lover, and LOVE making and decorating cookies! I make lots and lots of gingerbread cookies every Christmas, and can't wait to make some in just a couple of weeks! These look beautiful!!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Maria! Cookies are just too much fun, aren't they? :) These were lots of fun to make! Happy Baking!

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  33. these are so cute / I always just made the gingerbread men but I like this idea! :)

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    1. Thank you, Debra- they are really fun to make! Thanks for stopping by! :)

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  34. Adorable and delicious:) Pinned and new follow for your sox media:)

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    1. Michelle, thanks so much for coming by and for pinning! I am happy to be following you back! :)

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  35. I love the little houses! They are too cute!

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    1. Jessica, thank you so much- I really had fun making them! Thank you for coming by! :)

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  36. The heart adds such a cute touch. Love it

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    1. Thank you, Deauna! Thank you for stopping by to let me know you liked them- I appreciate the visit! :)

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  37. G'day Joy! Love gingerbread and baked goods made with love, true!
    Your cookies brightened my day! Thank you!
    Cheers! Joanne
    Viewed as party of Foodie Friends Friday Thanksgiving Party

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    1. Well it brightened my day to hear from you, Joanne! Thank you for coming by, and for hosting FFF! :)

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  38. The red heart baked into the cookie is so charming!

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    1. Sue, thank you so much- I had lots of fun making these! Thanks for coming by! :)

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  39. These are lovely--both in appearance and in their link to thankfulness! I should make these with my kids and sing the Veggie Tales song about a thankful heart. Have you heard it?

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    1. I have not heard the Veggie Tales song, but as soon as I finish this, I'm going straight over to YouTube and look for it- thank you for the tip! I am always happiest when I stay in a place of gratitude. I don't always remember to, though- maybe a thankful heart song will help me remember more often! :) Many thanks for coming by! :)

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  40. These are so cute, Joy! I just love the little hearts!

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    1. Thank you, Veronica! I always love it when an off-the-wall idea actually works out! ;) Thank you for the visit!

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  41. Joy, I just LOVE these beautiful gingerbread cookies and the heart just makes them extra special! :) Thank you so much for joining us and sharing at Best of the Weekend! Pinning and sharing! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Cindy, you are such a sweetheart- thank you for coming by. I'm so happy that you liked my li'l Thanksgiving cookies. :) Thank you for pinning and for sharing- I always enjoy Best of the Weekend!

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  42. These look absolute delish and like a great pair up for a cup of gingerbread latte :) Thanks for sharing and happy SITSSharefest!

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    1. Mrsteeh, thank you- I had never thought of combining them with a gingerbread latte. Oh, my goodness, that does sound good! Thanks for coming by from Sharefest! I meet the most interesting bloggers there! :)

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  43. These are too cute. And sound yum. I love your pictures, too. I really need to get better at pictures for my blog posts. You're inspiring me!

    Stopping by from #SITSSHAREFEST and I'll be pinning this to the board for SITS, as well. :D

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    1. Andrea, thank you so much. I'm so happy you came over from Sharefest- I meet such wonderful people through it. I appreciate your visit, your kind words, and the pin! :)

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  44. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in New Zealand, but really who needs Thanksgiving to enjoy a plate of these cookies - gorgeous.

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    1. Thank you! I agree- gingerbread cookies are good year-round! :)

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  45. I love the center heart! How adorable. Thanks for sharing on foodie friday

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    1. Thank you, Adelina, and thanks for hosting! :)

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  46. Hi Joy,
    What great Gingerbread Cookies, we would just love these! Thank you so much for taking the time during this busy season to share your wonderful post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend and hope to see you again real soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you, Miz Helen, and thanks so much for hosting Full Plate Thursday! :)

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  47. I love those heart cookies! So adorable!

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    1. Thanks, Andi, they were so much fun to make! :) I'm really enjoying Saturday Night Fever!

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  48. I am going to try these without the hearts! Great recipe, glad I stopped by from #SaturdayNightFever :)

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, too- thank you very much! If you try the cookies, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! :)

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  49. Great idea! Love the gingerbread cookie recipe and adding the grateful heart is superb. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Creative Home & Garden Blog Hop

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    1. Marla, thank you, and thanks for visiting from Creative Home and Garden! I love the wide variety of articles you post on your blog- so informative! :)

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  50. I absolutely love these cookies - and the little hearts just make them that much more special, Joy! Thanks so much for linking up to Freedom Fridays - Enjoy the rest of your week! :)

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    1. Thank you, Jamie, I am thankful for you! :) I'm so glad you and Evelyn have teamed up on Freedom Fridays (I miss All My Bloggy Friends, though).

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  51. I had pinned these when I saw them, but didn't get to come read until today and find out how you made the hearts. Clever!

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    1. Skye, thank you so much for visiting, and for pinning! :)

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  52. Aww love the little hearts!! Thanks for sharing at Throwback Thursday.

    xoxo
    Denyse

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    1. Thank you, Denise- they were so much fun to make! :) Thank you for coming by, and for hosting!

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  53. Joy... You just make me want to visit Texas!!

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    1. LOL, Kris! Wish you could! I had fun making a few Texas cookies that day! ;)

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  54. Of all my years baking, I have never made gingerbread men because I have a friend who is so good at it. But, I LOVE the Texas cookie for Santa. Looks like I may have to get to bakin'!

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    1. I thought my Texas friends might get a kick out of that one! ;) I mean, Santa is from Texas, right? :)

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  55. As a child, I disliked gingerbread cookies... but they've grown on me as the years have gone by, and these gingerbread cookies sound like perfection. Nothing says the holidays to me more than gingerbread, so I'm happy you have shared this recipe!

    Thanks, again, for participating in Christmas Cookie Week!

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    1. Erin, thank you for hosting Christmas Cookie Week, and thank you for your sweet comment about holidays and gingerbread! I hope you and yours have a beautiful Christmas. :)

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  56. There's just nothing better than the scent of baking gingerbread on a fall day. Thank you Joy! Pinned!

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  57. Totally going to try to make these with my girls, as last year we had to make Gingerbread cookies for Santa and I scrambled to find a recipe last year, but definitely using yours this year for Santa with the girls. Thanks Joy for sharing these at the Cookie Swap today. seriously appreciate it!!! :)

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  58. I love ginger cookies, yummm.Thank you for sharing at the Cookie swap party, pinned! xo

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