There is nothing quite like the smell of gingerbread cookies baking to remind me that the holiday season is upon us.
I love making gingerbread cookies and I make a ton of these traditional cookies every year in just about every shape of cookie cutter that I have.
However, this year… I made some with a bit of a twist in the form of sweater-shaped molded gingerbread cookies.
At the heart of molded gingerbread cookies are molded rolling pins.
While they’re essential to this technique, you’ll still also need a regular smooth-surfaced rolling pin.
IMPORTANT TIPS: You must also use a “molded cookie recipe” that is designed for molded cookies. I’ve included a downloadable recipe below. A regular cookie recipe or gingerbread recipe will not work. Also, before using the molded rolling pin, before to lightly dust with flour each time to help prevent the dough from sticking.
Molded rolling pins are made of wood and generally have the most stunning carved pattern.
When this carved rolling pin is pressed into the dough, the pattern is left imprinted in the dough.
And that creates a wonderful, overall pattern in the dough that can then be cut using regular cookie cutters.
Molded rolling pins have always reminded me of old, Irish wool sweaters.
In fact, a found quite a few tucked away in my closet that I haven’t worn in years.
It takes a special kind of cookie to remind you about vintage winter attire.
The following photo depicts the overall pattern created before I cut it up with a sweater-shaped cookie cutter.
You first have to roll the dough out using a regular, smooth-surface rolling pin before using the molded pin.
This way, you’ll have a nice blank slate to work the easy rolling pin magic.
Grip the molded pin and firmly press into the dough and roll the pin at the same time.
Be sure not to stop rolling until you get to the opposite edge of the dough or you’re going to have to start all over.
The rolling process is pretty unforgiving. You can’t start rolling and stop midway or you’ll disrupt the overall pattern.
Once the design is created, use a sweater-shaped cookie cutter (or any other shape you desire) to cut the cookie.
Molded Gingerbread Cookies
Ingredients
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Set oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and salt.
- In a separate bowl combine, vegetable oil, molasses, corn syrup and water. Use a whisk to mix thoroughly.
- Mix liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients and mix slowly to combine thoroughly to form a ball.
- Turn the ball out onto a lightly floured surface and roll the dough with a regular rolling pin to about 1/4 inch in height.
- Firmly press the molded rolling pin into the already-rolled dough. Use long, unbroken rolling stroke to prevent the design from being disrupted.
- Once overall design is created, use cookie cutter to cut out desired shape.
- Bake in oven for 12-14 minutes or until edges of the cookie are slightly darker. Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes on the hot cookie sheet before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack.
You can find a really great selection of molded rolling pins on Etsy, Ebay and online. Just search for “molded rolling pin” or “springerle rolling pin”.
I also have some source links listed at the end of this post.
Meanwhile, if you really want to make an impact, consider gifting a brand new Irish wool sweater along with your sweater cookies… for a gift that’s both warm and delicious.
Now, that would be some gift under the tree.
Happy holiday baking.
Thanks for stopping by.
See you back here next time.♥
These are the most beautiful cookies that I have ever seen. And the ginger-molasses aroma must be heavenly. Thanx for the recipe. I will bake some for gifts. Love, Nana Banana
Thanks, Mom.
Next time we’re visiting with each other, we can make some together.
See you soon.
I have really misssed your emails (I fiind it hard to say “Blog”) Anyway I need to try these cookies..I can smell and taste them now. However I looked at the molded rollong pins and did not find yours. Is there another source. I am 92 an not good at searching the computer. Thank you so much Please don’t stay so long . Merry Christmas Jere
Thanks so much, Jere.
You are right about my blogging which slowed this year due to many other projects on the burner. I’m still trying to catch up.
I appreciate your understanding on that.
I’ll see if I can find the exact rolling pin I purchased and send the link to you via email.
Have a wonderful holiday.
Hi there! These cookies are darling and I would love the same rolling pin, I have looked online till I’m blurry-eyed. Would it be possible for you to send me a direct link or web address for THAT same rolling pin? Thank you!
Thanks Linda,
I updated this resource link to include the exact rolling pin I used.
And also sent you a direct email with the link.
Good luck with your cookies and happy holidays.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the email response, my order for the rolling pin has been placed!! I can’t wait to try these darling cookies. Hope mine turn out as well as yours!
THANK YOU SO MUCH for the email response, my order for the rolling pin has been placed!! I can’t wait to try these darling cookies. Hope mine turn out as well as yours!
Oh, good for you Linda.
Please let me know how they come out.
This recipe produces cookies that are much harder than regular gingerbread cookie dough.
But they still taste good.
Good luck and happy holidays.
I’m always so happy to see you in my inbox!! I get such a big kick out of reading your posts and admiring your photos. I LOVE that rolling pin? Was this another one of your antique finds? I’m still trying to find all of my baking things plus props. Moving is the pits but once we’re done I should be a little bit more organized. I bet you’re going to have a houseful this holiday season. Your home I bet will be gorgeous with your decorations!! Hope everything is going great. Talk to you soon — sending huge hugs!
Thanks so much, Marisa.
I actually found this pin on Etsy. There’s a source link down at the end of my post.
Believe it or not, I haven’t even finished decorating my tree.
I’m so far behind. Too much baking going on around here-lol.
Hope you have a wonderful holiday.
xoxoxo
I have a dumb question. Do they taste good or are they more decorative? Asking because they would be perfect for my vegan teenager.
Hi Joanne, that’s not a dumb question at all.
This recipe is very similar to gingerbread cookie flavor but not quite the same.
It does taste good but the cookies do come out much harder than regular gingerbread cookie dough.
Just don’t bite into one with your front teeth… and you should be good.
Happy holidays to you and your family.
I don’t know if anyone has told you today but you are amazing! Thank you for all of the wonderful creative things you make and the absolutely beautiful photography. I am completely smitten!
Oh, you are so sweet, Pam.
What a nice thing for you to say.
I’m so glad you enjoy my creative efforts and I hope you get a chance to try some of the projects.
Drop me a line, if you get stuck on anything and I’ll walk you through it.
Happy holidays to you.
I see in a previous comment, you mentioned the final product is “hard.” Then would you consider these more like a ginger snap cookie? I’m looking for a crisp ginger cookie recipe to use my embossed rolling pins and that I can eventually dunk in warm beverages. I’ll be trying them either way 🙂
Hi Amy, I don’t think this recipe produces a super hard cookie like a gingersnap.
These are more firm.
Your cookie dunking does sound delicious.
Happy holidays.
xoxo
I bought the rolling pin and have made these two years in a row now. They are so satisfying to create. I make them in the late fall because I can’t wait for Christmas (and my Christmas baking list is a mile long already). People love the taste and the effect.
Yes, the molded rolling pins are fun to use.
I saw another use from them recently that may interest you too.
The rolling pin was used on pie crust dough before cutting into strips to create a lattice shaped topper.
The strips turned out beautifully molded.
I may try that myself this year.
Happy baking and thanks for popping by.
Is anyone else getting a dough that is far too soft? Am I supposed to chill it for a long time first? Or do I need more flour? Not sure why it didn’t work for me..
Hi Teri, I’m sorry your dough is too soft.
I generally roll out my dough right after making it (sugar cookies too) and refrigerate it for a few hours.
That may help firm up the dough for you.
When using the molded rolling pin, use a pastry brush to brush flour into all the nooks and crannies of the pin.
Hopefully, that will help.
Good luck and happy holidays to you.
xoxo
Hi! I am very late to the party here. These cookies are beautiful! I cannot seem to find the sources at the end of your post, but would love to find this rolling pin. I have found a similar but not quite the same one on etsy, but would be thrilled if you could share the source for yours.
Thanks so much!
Kaille
Hi Kaille, I think I did find that rolling pin on Etsy many years ago.
I just scrolled through Etsy, to see if I could find the same one but I don’t see it.
Perhaps that particular pattern has been discontinued.
I’ll keep searching and if I find a link, I’ll direct email you.
There are so many lovely patterns, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Good luck and happy holidays.
xoxo
This looks like the same rolling pin or if not, very very similar:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/480588190/scandinavian-chiristmas-pattern-rolling?
Happy new year, Deborah.
Yes, if that’s not it, it’s super close the same rolling pin.
Close enough-lol
Hope you enjoyed the holiday.
xoxo
Can this recipe be used for molds that you press the dough into and scrape off the rest? I’m trying to find a good recipe for a church event using wooden molds (like here https://a.co/d/bBeFeUL).
Hi Alicia, I’m not sure if the springerle molds can be used in that way. I imagine they can be. I can only suggest giving it a try.
Please make sure the dough is a dough that is specifically for molded cookies, for best results.
Good luck.
xoxo