This post is in partnership with World Market
Tis the season to be in the kitchen — or maybe that’s always true! It’s been almost two years since our kitchen remodel finished (our contractor actually installed the Dutch door on Christmas Eve and we wrapped up after the new year).
This is the second December we’ve had a fully usable kitchen before the holidays, and it’s become my favorite room to dress up and enjoy. One of the first things we did to ready the space for winter was go hunting for new Christmas cookie cutters. Priorities, right? We picked up a few pretty copper cutters in the baking section at World Market. We collect cookie cutters mostly because we love baking (and eating) cute cookies.
With several family members who are gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan, our baking has adapted over the years, but we make it work. We don’t eat many sweets, but baking together and sharing an occasional treat is one of our favorite traditions.
Last weekend we set aside a festive family day. After coffee at one of our favorite shops (Storyville), we visited the local garden center that’s full of pretty holiday displays (and reindeer!). Then we came home to bake, decorate the kitchen, and watch a movie together.
We also found new measuring spoons and cups at World Market since our old sets were missing pieces — it was time to upgrade. World Market had so many charming items that a few ended up in our cart.
Green measuring spoons / Similar Cookie Cutters / Similar rolling pin
We adapted a gluten-free gingerbread cookie recipe to make the batch dairy-free and vegan. They turned out adorable and, once frosted, extra tasty. Everyone in the house happily indulged.
Similar Paper Snowflakes
We planned to finish decorating that day but ran out of time before the movie. The next day we used jumbo paper stars from World Market to make a whimsical star-and-snowflake scene hanging above the counters. It’s a simple idea, but it makes the kitchen feel magical.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
We adapted the original recipe for our needs; the version we used is below.
Bake at 350°F for 9–10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- Pinch of ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 stick vegan buttery spread (we used Earth Balance buttery stick)
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses
- ¼ cup applesauce
Directions:
- Mix the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt in a bowl and set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter until creamy.
- Add the coconut sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the molasses and applesauce until combined and creamy.
- Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Beat until the dough comes together and is no longer tacky; if needed, add a tablespoon of flour at a time until it holds.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment to 1/8″–1/4″ thickness, or dust the surface lightly with flour.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters and place on a lined or greased baking sheet about an inch or two apart.
- Bake 9–10 minutes, until the edges are set.
- Let cool completely before decorating.
- For icing: mix powdered sugar with a little non-dairy milk and a splash of vanilla to reach a pipeable consistency.
Decorating tip: We used a sandwich bag with a small corner cut off to pipe icing onto the cookies.
Copper Leaf Patterned Boxes
Mugs / Plates
The new plates and mugs (also from World Market) are perfect for family moments and small gatherings — it’s nice to have cheerful tableware for special times.
Merry & Bright Cookie Tin
We also picked up a few festive tins and boxes for packing treats to give away or send home with guests.
All in all, it was a cozy, festive, and delicious couple of days at our house.
What’s your favorite treat to bake around the holidays?
Pin for later!