There are a lot of gingerbread cookie recipes out there. The one I used is a favorite from "Our Best Bites."
This recipe works well for cut out cookies, but this time my goal was to use a decorative rolling pin. Next to it is a ceramic cookie stamp that can be used to create similar cookies:
I made the cookie dough and put it into the fridge for a couple of hours to chill. Getting the dough the right temperature is really the only tricky part. If it is too cold, it is difficult to roll out; if it is too warm, the stamped images are less sharp. I kept any dough that I wasn't working with in the fridge, covered with plastic wrap.
Roll out the dough just a little bit thicker than the recipe suggests with a standard rolling pin. Then roll over the dough with your special pin to make the designs:
Create a similar look using a cookie press like the one below just by stamping individual designs into the dough:
Using a paring knife, score through the dough to create separate cookies. Place on baking sheet:
After the cookies are baked, you can decorate them with white piping to accentuate the design or let the subtle texture speak for itself:
Merry Christmas!