Quick and Easy Holiday Gingerbread Cookies from Trader Joes

Last week I hosted a holiday cookie party for my daughter's playgroup. I wanted to make my usual homemade gingerbread people, but ran out of time and ingredients while preparing for the party. By coincidence, I had a box of Trader Joe's Deep, Dark Gingerbread Cake and Baking Mix in the pantry. I took a look at the side panel and, lo and behold, found you could use it to make gingerbread cookies! I was saved!

I got out my trusty gingerbread person cookie cutter and prepared the cookies before the party so they'd be ready to decorate. You just add a stick of melted butter and a large egg to the baking mix, then form into a dough and chill. Then just roll and cut out as usual. I have to say, they made some of the best gingerbread cookies I've had in a while—moist and chewy with a pronounced spicy kick. They also had a hard to place richness about them, which I attribute to the inclusion of cocoa in the mix.

One thing I like about Trader Joe's prepared foods, is that they usually seem to be made with reasonably healthy natural ingredients. I'm a habitual lable reader when it comes to buying food, and their products usually pass the test. This mix seems to have pretty good stuff in it, and no hydrogenated oils.

The girls all had a great time decorating their gingerbread people. I made some buttercream frosting and provided a variety of candy sprinkles for them to use. This is a great idea for a rainy day activity or a holiday get together, especially because you can eat your craft project when you're finished.