I love the look of gingerbread men cookies – but the taste is just too strong and intense for me. For years, I would see one and think that maybe this time I would like it – but I never did. That is, until today. For those of you who follow my Facebook page, you know that when I go to yard sales I love buying vintage cookbooks. The pictures are unparalleled – just so cool!
While thumbing through the cookbook entitled “Gifts from your Kitchen” Better Homes and Gardens, 1968, I came upon a recipe for Puddin’ Head Gingerbread Men. As I sat in shock, forgetting that being politically correct is a somewhat new thing in the world, all I could think about was Puddin’ Head Wilson – which was written of course, by Mark Twain as a commentary on the biting racism of society at the time (1894).
When I finally came back to myself, I looked at the recipe and noticed that this seemed unique and it actually sounded good! I set out to make it – but first you should know that at my Wal-Mart it was not easy to find the one box of Cook and Serve Butterscotch pudding mix needed and you may have to look as well! Thank goodness my son-in-law was able to find one giving me the chance to make these wonderfully mild cookies!
The ingredients you will need:
1 – 3 ounce box of Cook and Serve Butterscotch pudding mix
1 stick of butter – softened
½ Cup packed brown sugar
1 egg – room temperature
1 and ½ Cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 and ½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
1. Mix the first four ingredients and sift the last four ingredients.
2. Add the last four to the first four and mix well.
3. Cover and chill dough for at least 1 hour and preferably overnight.
4. Preheat oven to 350 F or 175 C.
5. Spray cookie sheets with non-stick or put on pan liner like I did.
6. On a floured surface and using a floured rolling pin, roll ½ dough out.
7. Using a 4 inch gingerbread man cookie cutter, cut cookies out.
8. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
9. Cook for 6-8 minutes.
10. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then place on a wire rack until completely cool.
11. Ice if you like with sugar cookie icing.
I am pretty sure these would be a hit with non-pie-lovers on Thanksgiving as well as Santa at Christmas!
Why not come on over and check out all the other great recipes at The Weekend Potluck! There are hundreds of great recipes!!
Awwwww aren’t these just the most adorable cookies to be in existence right now :))))
That butterscotch mix is perfection!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Thank you!
That sounds really good. Are they a rather soft cookie because of the pudding mix?
Lillian
lillianscupboard.wordpress.com
Yes they are – that’s another plus! 🙂 You aren’t forced to dunk them in milk to chew them up like with other GB cookies. 🙂
Butterscotch pudding mix is always hard to find. I have a couple of recipes that use it. I like this recipe alot. BH&G had a whole series of those cook books in the 1960’s. The grocery stores would offer them as premiums at a reduced price for a set amount of grocery purchase. Each week there would be a new book. I don’t think I ever had the one you found. I only kept of few of them because I just wasn’t using them as time went on. I will have to take a look at Amazon and see what the cover looks like. It is funny how you remember the covers better then the title when it comes to cook books.
I think I have a picture of it on my FB page. If so, I will edit this post and add it in! Great idea. I can tell you it’s on Page 21 of the book. If so, when I comment on your post (award winning cake – sounds wonderful!) I will let you know!
I have never been much of a yard sale person but as of late I’ve been considering becoming one … I would love to get my hands on some vintage cookbooks … Great job on these cookie cuties 🙂
Thank you! I think you can get them on Amazon ordering from the comfort of your own home! 🙂 People sell used books on there all the time. Now, you won’t get them for twenty-five cents each, but you CAN get them! 🙂
Oh boy … You may have just ignited a new hobby 🙂
How do I follow you on Facebook?
Go to Facebook and in the “search” box type in Kalamity Kelli – you should see a picture of that Wonder Woman painting that is my icon. Then click “like”. I used to have a FB icon on the blog – I will have to ask Top Girl about that. Thanks Debbie!
They look and sound great Kelli!
Thank you!
I have the same issue with gingerbread, so I’ll definitely have to give these a try! Maybe I can make some gingerbread dinosaurs!
That would be adorable! Make sure to post if you do!
Oh, I definitely will!
Ah!! These are too darn cute! I have been wanting to make some roll out cookies with Anna for the holidays and these would be the perfect starter cookie. Love the vintage cookbooks too, so awesome.
Thank you! They are great and they won’t be too “hot” for Anna!
Kelli, I know why you’re in love with these, no molasses! I never liked Gingerbread as a child, I wasn’t until I was given my Aunt’s recipe that I finally found some love for the little men. I have to tell you, I’m completely jealous of you having this cookbook and I love that you write in yours too. I mark any recipe I make with notes, changes, critiques. I want the next owner to know the good recipes from the ok ones!
That must be it – I must not like molasses. Can’t say that I ever remember knowing that I tasted it either! I am really enjoying the heck out of these cookbooks. The pictures are priceless and I’m sharing on FB as I take them. The only way I remember ANYTHING about recipes is to write it down – if I like it, I use the red pin! 🙂
I love gingerbread! These cookies look so great- I can’t wait to try them 🙂
Thank you!
Mochas that same cookbook and I do remember the pictures. I would look at that cookbook and plan all the great stuff we could make for the holidays. Thanks for making me remember. Those gingerbread people look delicious.
Oops I help the swipe option. MY MOM has that same cookbook! Lol
Strangely, I actually KNEW that you meant your mom! 🙂 They honestly are delicious.
I might have to try this when we make Gingerbread Men in my Kindergarten class. It’s funny, but EVERY year they run away after we make them…..Hmmmmm……and we always find them back in our classroom after searching all over the school for them……pesky Gingerbread Men anyway….
They are sneaky little guys! 🙂
Ginger bread cookies definitely have a strong flavor. I would love to taste them with a less stronger flavor also. It seems like they are a staple for Christmas time. Hey how come your cookies always look so perfect. 🙂
You’ve been away too long honey – my cookies are NEVER perfect! I’m just lucky theses weren’t missing arms and/or legs! 🙂
I guess it doesn’t matter. They all go to the same place right. 🙂
So adorable!
I would love to have you join Wednesday Extravaganza – my Foodie Link Party and share this (and/or any other) recipe of yours! Here is the link to it:
http://www.hungrylittlegirl.com/1/post/2012/11/wednesday-extravaganza-3.html
Can’t wait to see you there!
Thank you for the invitation! I will check it out!
These are so cute! My kids will have a blast making these. I just got a bunch of vintage cookbooks from my Mother-In-Law that I can’t wait to look through. Saw you at Thursday’s Treasures!
Erin @ Wholly Delicious Dishes.
Thank you so much! I wish I could say that my kids even got to taste them but my husband and I ate them all! They taste really good. Thanks for dropping by – I’ll be over to your place soon!
Kelli, thank you for sharing your cute Gingerbread Men on the Easy Life Meal & Party Planning Vintage Series. These sound really good and you are right, I have a non-pie lover husband, so this would be perfect for him. (Who doesn’t like pie???)
Terri Henkels
I don’t know……..I don’t think I have a family member who doesn’t like pie! 🙂
Cute! And I also like a more “gentle” gingerbread.
What is the yield on this batch?
Hi Jennifer! Thanks so much for asking – I should have put that in. Depending on your gingerbread size cutter (mine is about 4 inches high) you will get about 2 dozen cookies! You will love them – getting ready to make them this weekend myself! 🙂