December's Hobby Club Theme: Holiday Baking with Gingerbread Cookies

It’s officially December, which means it’s the start of my long-awaited (aka a few months—but that’s basically forever when you have ADHD, amiright?!) dream of HOBBY CLUB! 🎉

Originally, I planned to kick this all off in January. BUT THEN I remembered one of my all-time favorite hobbies—something I’ve done every single year for as long as I can remember—happens in December! So, I just knew we had to start Hobby Club now.

So, welcome to our very first month of The Hobby Club, First name / friend!! I'm so excited to BAKE with you this month 🎉

I’ve been making gingerbread cookies with my grandma for as long as I can remember. Growing up next door to my grandparents, I spent a lot of time at their house. My grandma was always baking, so naturally, I was always baking too. She was a first-grade teacher for 30 years, and it came so naturally for her to turn something I loved—like baking—into little learning moments, like teaching me math while we measured ingredients.

The recipe we use for our gingerbread cookies is from one of her student’s families many years ago. We still make them every year at my house, and my sister makes them with her kids too. This tradition of baking around the holidays is so special to me because, as I'm sure LOTS of you can relate; it’s filled with so many happy memories. Getting to bake these cookies with my own girls feels like the most wonderful full-circle moment.

So, whether you bake every year for the holidays or are trying it for the first time, I’m SO excited to have some virtual fun together as we get baking in our kitchens this December!

If you want to participate in this month’s theme, all you have to do is BAKE!

I've compiled a list of the essentials you might need for your baking adventures! Check it out HERE!

Make your own recipes that are a tradition to you/your family (or just a fun recent Pinterest find) and share your journey with us or if you'd like to make my grandma's traditional Gingerbread cookies along with me; I would love for you to do so. They really are simple and so much fun whether you make them yourself, with your kids, friends, or even as a date night with your partner!

Gingerbread Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup molasses

1 cup Crisco shortening or butter

1 cup hot water

2 eggs

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

6 cups flour (approximate, add more if needed to get to rolling out consistency)

Mix wet ingredients. Add dry.  Add flour (enough to roll out). Bake 10-15 minutes at 350°F.

Icing (Sorry, I don’t measure this—ADHD strikes again! 😅) 

Powdered Sugar (a good amount - like the full bag ha)

Water or milk (add slowly until you get the right consistency)

Tiny bit of vanilla extract

Separate icing out into bowls, add food coloring & decorate… sprinkles encouraged but not required😉🌈

Makes 5-6 dozen cookies

I’ll be back soon with more tips and baking magic—but until then, start thinking about what you’re going to bake this month!  

And remember, I absolutely love hearing your stories (successes and flops are both welcome) and seeing your progress or outcome pictures. Email me at haylee@whimsyhobbyclub.com or DM me on Instagram @whimsyandwellness!