Gingerbread Trees with Juniper Berry Glaze

I made the cookies, not the glaze, and I doubled the spices as many people recommended. I thought this spice level was perfect, really delicious! However, I did have a couple issues with this recipe. My baking soda may have been too old, I didn't find my cookies puffed at all. When rolled out to 1/8" thick they only took about 7 minutes to cook, and were quite light and crispy. They were very good, but more like flaky, snappy biscuits, and I was hoping for a more robust, classic gingerbread recipe.

• laurenrds

• Brooklyn, NY

• 12/21/2020

Hello - is it possible to freeze the dough? If not, how long can it last in the fridge? Thanks!! Also, my sister makes these every Christmas, and they're my favourite!!

• megsis

• Halifax, Canada

• 12/15/2017

The cookies are fine, but the glaze is overwhelming and smells/tastes kind of like Pine Sol. Using rosemary (or just using fewer juniper berries steeped for a shorter time) would probably remedy the problem.

• Anonymous

• Colorado Springs, CO

• 12/24/2014

I have made these every year since they came out, but I can't always find juniper berries, so I substitute them with a sprig or two of fresh rosemary and that seems to taste very similar.

• lyra2

• London, ON

• 12/8/2013

My family loves this recipe. We've made these cookies every since the issue came out and they get better every year! We usually skip the icing, and my kids eat them faster than I can make them.

• Anonymous

• Philadelphia, PA

• 12/3/2012

I've made these cookies every year for the last couple of years.... since 2006, when the issue came out! These are just amazing cookies. DO NOT OMIT THE ICING! The icing is what makes these cookies rock, without it, its just an ordinary gingerbread cookie.

• jerilampert

• NYC

• 12/22/2011

even better the 2nd day I used cardamom cooked in the half and half instead of the juniper berries, and that was great!

• magsulfate

• Athens, Georgia

• 12/21/2011

I agree with others that more spice was needed. I almost tripled the spices and they were the best gingerbread cookies I've ever made. The glaze is great but the cookies stand up fine without it. Still, I think it's worth getting juniper berries for. The texture is fantastic: crispy and melt-in-your-mouth.

• hilaryy

• Kingston, ON

• 12/16/2011

Everything that is good about Christmas all stuffed in to a cookie. Delicious. I upped the ginger to 1 tbsp and added a little bit of cloves; also 10 minutes was perfect baking time.

• hmmitchell

• Ferndale, WA

• 12/7/2011

These cookies get rave reviews every time I serve them. They've become my favorite Christmas cookie. I did not let the Juniper/cream mixture sit for 5 hours this time, only 1, and the Juniper flavor was still present and they were as tasty as always. Also, cookies maintained their shape during the baking process. They didn't puff up or spread out at all. Love this recipe!!!!

• acookinrichfield

• 12/8/2009

I only gave 3 stars because the gingerbread recipe as printed is waaaay too flavorless for my tatstes -- no wonder some of the other reviewers thought the juniper icing was overpowering. I basically tripled the spices, and thought the juniper in the glaze was brilliant and perfectly balanced. I brought these cookies to a party and everyone loved them. I will definitely make these again! I used: 3tsp ginger, 2 tsp allspice, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves, and I used dark molasses instead of light. My 2.25 cups of flour weighed in at 300g. I also did half butter, half shortening, because I didn't have enough butter on hand.

• Anonymous

• San Francisco, CA

• 1/11/2009

Excellent gingerbread. The glaze was good too. An unusual flavor, but good. I might try to tone it down a little next time b/c I felt it competed with the gingerbread a little too much. But I will definitely make again.

• amywhite

• St. Louis

• 12/26/2008

很好。结冰的浆果和still had a nice sweetness. Easy to make.

• Anonymous

• Monterey Hills, CA

• 2/18/2008

So easy to make and so yummy! The juniper berries gave them a really nice piney flavor that was subtle and yet distinctly unique.

• anaix

• Washington, DC

• 12/25/2007

Everyone I've made these cookies for absolutely loves them. The gingerbread is a very nice one, and the glaze is really special.

• Anonymous

• Kentucky

• 12/23/2007