It's that time of year when the smell of freshly baked gingerbread makes you swoon.
While simple gingerbread-shaped biscuits will always have a place in our hearts (and in our stomachs) so too, will these exciting, enticing and playful creations. We share some of our favourite social highlights as well as some crowd-pleasing recipes that see classic gingerbread demand some serious attention. With ice-cream sandwiches, choux buns and spiced scones all in the lineup, it's the model makeover episode where gingerbread shows the camera just how versatile it can really be.
Pancakes
Cheesecake
Choux buns
Smoothie bowl
A house made of cake
All Aboard
Want to wow with gingerbread this festive season? Here are a few we've prepared earlier...
1. That shiny nose
You start with a gingerbread man, turn him upside down and then you have Rudolph. Mind officially blown! It's simple, brilliant and kids big and small will go crazy for these.
You don't have to spend big to make a big, festive impact. Source: Tara Fisher
2. Jam and cream ready
Traditional scones can sometimes be too dry and crumbly for some. Not these. Thanks to the addition of cream and molasses, these are super-moist. They’re also super fast from oven to table — they're baked in just 15 minutes!
Gretchen McKay/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Source: Tribune News Service
3. Cookie dough for champions
Classic cookie dough ice cream gets a festive feel with this crazy-cool sandwich. Combining gingerbread cookies with gingerbread dough ice cream (yum!) and rich, caramel praline, this dessert has "Aussie summer" written all over it.
Gingerbread cookie dough ice-cream sandwiches with praline Source: Ben Dearnley
4. Marshmallow icing, people!
Not gonna lie. This delicate sponge cake - a gingerbread variation of the traditional French chocolate Christmas cake - is a commitment of time, energy and nerves. But what a stunner for your holiday table! Thankfully, everything but the marshmallow icing can be made a day or so ahead.
Larry Roberts / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Source: Tribune News Service
5. Dressed like a tart
Custard sauce and gingerbread who knew? Gingerbread won't be the same without a pool of tart lemon sauce to dunk it in.
Gretchen McKay / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Source: Tribune News Service
6. Easy baking, big flavours
A sticky hit of treacle gives this gingerbread cake a strong, sweet and dense texture. Serve with butter and a little extra treacle for a next-level teacake.
Source: Chris Chen
Of course, there's a boozy version... literally. This gingerbread and coffee cocktail combines cream, vodka, gingerbread syrup and liqueur for a sweet sipping sensation.
Source: Food Network
8. We're heading to our beach house this summer
It’s hot and we're heading down to the seaside. There's a cool ocean breeze, bitchin' big surf, cruncher waves and a cheeky seagull squawking for the last hot chip! Our beach bungalow is for sun-seekers, who want to be footloose in the sand and have fun by the sea.
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Gingerbread beach hut Source: China Squirrel
9. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...
Our A-frame cabin in the woods is for those who want a quiet place by a log fire to contemplate and commune with critters. BYO marshmallows for toasting.
