This post is in partnership with World Market
‘Tis the season to be in the kitchen — or honestly, any season when you love to cook. It’s almost been two years since we finished our kitchen remodel (our contractor installed the Dutch door on Christmas Eve and the space was completed after the new year), and this December marks the second holiday season where our kitchen is truly ready to use and decorate.
This year I’m especially excited to deck the kitchen for winter. One of the first little projects was a search for new Christmas cookie cutters. Priorities! We found a few pretty copper cutters in the baking section at World Market. We collect cookie cutters mainly because we love baking (and eating) cute cookies.
With family members who follow gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan diets, our baking habits have shifted a bit over the years, but we’ve adjusted and still enjoy the process. We don’t eat a lot of sweets, but baking together and sharing an occasional treat is a favorite family activity.
Last weekend we planned a festive family day. After coffee at one of our favorite spots (Storyville), we visited the local garden center, which is full of holiday displays this time of year (and even reindeer!). Then we returned home to bake, decorate the kitchen, and watch a movie together.
We also picked up new measuring spoons and cups at World Market because our old sets were missing pieces. World Market had so many cute things that a few extras ended up in our cart as well.
Green measuring spoons / Similar Cookie Cutters / Similar rolling pin
We adapted a gluten-free gingerbread cookie recipe to make it dairy-free and vegan. The cookies came out adorable and tasty — we frosted some, which made them extra indulgent and everyone was happy to enjoy them.
Similar Paper Snowflakes
We meant to finish decorating the kitchen that day, but time ran out before the movie. Sound familiar? The next day we hung some jumbo paper stars we’d bought at World Market above the counters to create a whimsical star-and-snowflake scene. It was a simple idea but it transformed the kitchen into a cozy, slightly magical space.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
We based our version on an original recipe and adjusted it; the adapted recipe we used is below.
Bake at 350°F for 9–10 minutes.
Ingredients:
- 2½ cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking blend
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1.5 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 butter alternative (we used an Earth Balance buttery stick)
- ⅔ cup coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses
- ¼ cup applesauce
Directions:
- Whisk together the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
- In a large bowl, beat the vegan butter until creamy.
- Add the coconut sugar and beat until fluffy, then mix in the molasses and applesauce until the mixture is smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating until combined. If the dough is tacky, add flour a tablespoon at a time until it’s manageable.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Roll the dough between two pieces of parchment to 1/8″–1/4″ thickness, or lightly flour your surface.
- Cut shapes with cookie cutters and place them on a prepared baking sheet about 1–2 inches apart.
- Bake for 9–10 minutes, until the edges are set.
- Allow the cookies to cool before decorating.
- Icing: Mix powdered sugar with a little non-dairy milk and a splash of vanilla until you reach a pipeable, glue-like consistency.
Decorating tip: We used a sandwich bag with a small cut in the corner to pipe the icing for precise details.
Copper Leaf Patterned Boxes
Mugs / Plates
We also picked up new plates and mugs from World Market. Having pretty dishes makes family moments and small gatherings feel extra special.
Merry & Bright Cookie Tin
We grabbed a few festive tins and boxes for packaging treats to give away or send home with guests. They’re perfect for gifting and look charming on a counter or table.
All in all, it was a festive, cozy, and delicious couple of days at our house.
What’s your favorite treat to bake around the holidays?
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