Gingerbread Christmas Tree Decorations

Making gingerbread Christmas tree decorations is a lovely festive project to get little ones involved in the run-up to Christmas.

The decorations are perfect for children to gift family and friends. I used to make batches with my children for their teachers as thank you gifts at Christmas.

Find step-by-step instructions below.

I hope you have lots of creative fun making them!

Before you start the recipe, here's a Christmas gingerbread-themed bookmark to download and print out which children can colour in whilst they wait for the gingerbread decorations to bake!

CHRISTMAS GINGERBREAD BOOKMARK

Gingerbread Christmas Tree Ornaments

Ingredients:

300g (11oz) butter
125g (4½oz) caster sugar
125g (4½oz) soft dark brown sugar
225g (8oz) golden syrup or treacle
725g (1lb 9oz) plain flour
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
3 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups plain flour

For the icing for the gingerbread decorations:

175g (6oz) icing sugar
1-2 tbsp boiling water

To complete the decorations:

drinking straw to make a hole in the gingerbread
twine

How to make:

Preheat the oven to 180⁰C (350⁰F), Gas mark 4. Line 2 baking trays with parchment paper.
In a large saucepan, melt the butter together with the sugars and golden syrup or treacle.
Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and ground ginger and cinnamon into a large bowl.

2 images showing flour and spices sieved in a mixing bowl and melted butter, sugars and syrup in a large saucepan on the hob.

Add the melted butter and sugar and mix together.

2 images showing a large mixing bowl containing gingerbread ingredients ready to be mixed together and gingerbread dough in a mixing bowl.

Knead the mixture for a few seconds until it comes together, adding a teaspoon or so of water if necessary, but without allowing it to get too wet.
Flatten the dough slightly into a round about 2cm (¾in) thick, wrap with cling film and place in the fridge for 30 mins.

2 images showing 2 hands kneading gingerbread dough and dough wrapped in clingfilm.

To make the gingerbread Christmas tree decorations, remove the dough from the fridge, dust the work surface with flour and roll all of the dough out to about 5mm (¼in) thick.
Cut out the shapes using cutters.
Make a hole in the top of each cut out shape with a drinking straw before baking.

2 images showing gingerbread dough and a biscuit cutter and a star shape with a hole at the top made using a straw.

Transfer onto the baking trays allowing 1-2cm between shapes as they expand slightly during baking. and cook in the oven for 12 minutes, until they are slightly firm, a little darker at the edges and slightly drier on top.
Allow the shapes to firm up for a few minutes , then place them on a wire rack to cool.
Let the gingerbread cool completely before decorating them.

2 images showing the stages of making glace icing.

To make the icing:

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add the water. Beat until the icing comes together, adding a little more water if necessary. (Be careful not to add too much or the icing will be too runny).
Decorate with icing, sweets and dried fruit. Leave to dry completely.
Thread a ribbon through the hole and tie it to form a loop.
Hang on the Christmas tree!

2 images showing a gingerbread tree ornament decorated with white icing and silver balls and an ornament with a hanging loop.

For more delicious gingerbread baking, have a look at my blog on Easy Gingerbread Recipes.

I've also written a blog on Salt Dough Tree Decorations if you prefer making decorations which last longer than the edible kind!

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