From Tiles to Treats: Crafting Mahjong Gingerbread

Hey there! So, picture this: it’s Easter week, and my daughter and I decided to get our bake on. We rolled up our sleeves, dusted off the flour, and dove into making some delicious gingerbread cookies. But here’s the twist – we thought, why not jazz it up a bit? So, we decided to make our gingerbread in the shape of mahjong tiles!

Let me tell you, it was a blast! From mixing the dough to meticulously decorating each tile, we had an absolute blast. And hey, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try your hand at making these unique treats yourself, I’ve got you covered. Below, I’m sharing our special recipe so you can join in on the fun too! Trust me, it’s worth it. Let’s get baking!

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Gingerbread Mahjong Tiles Recipe:

Ingredients:

400g of flour
140g of powdered sugar
100g of butter
1 teaspoon of baking soda
2 teaspoons of gingerbread spice
2 teaspoons of cocoa powder
2 tablespoons of honey
2 eggs

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, baking soda, gingerbread spice, and cocoa powder. Mix well.
2. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients mixture and crack the eggs into it. Add the honey and softened butter, chopped into small pieces.
3. Using your hands, knead the mixture until it forms a smooth dough.
4. Wrap the dough in cling film and refrigerate it for ideally overnight, allowing it to rest and develop its flavors.
5. About an hour before baking, remove the dough from the fridge to soften slightly.
6. Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. On a floured surface, roll out the dough into a thin sheet using a rolling pin.
8. Cut out desired shapes for the Mahjong tiles (approximately 2.5 inches x 1.5 inches or 6cm x 4cm).
9. Place the cut-out shapes onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each tile.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
11. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the gingerbread Mahjong tiles to cool completely on a wire rack before decorating or serving.

Enjoy your delicious and uniquely shaped gingerbread treats!

Decorating

For decorating our gingerbread cookies, we opted for convenience and creativity by using tubes filled with colorful icing sugar.

It’s user-friendly and simple enough for even a three-year-old can handle it.

We picked up these handy tools from a local store, opting for the Dr. Oetker brand. While I couldn’t locate a direct link to the exact tubes we used, rest assured, they’re quite similar to the ones my daughter and I wielded.

Now, when it comes to decorating, the sky’s the limit! Let your imagination run wild. And, truth be told, even if patience isn’t your strong suit (like mine!), there’s a good chance your gingerbread creations will outshine ours – but hey, that’s part of the fun, right? Happy decorating! 😄

Don’t miss out on our free printables! Explore a variety of Mahjong-themed treasures, including birthday cake toppers, cards, coloring pages, calendars, puzzles, and more.

Homemade Gingerbread Frosting

For those of you who prefer a hands-on approach, I’ve got you covered with a recipe for homemade white sugar frosting. With this versatile base, you can add food coloring to your heart’s content, creating a spectrum of custom colors. Just make sure you have a decorating bag with a narrow tip handy, perfect for piping and decorating your gingerbread masterpieces.

Here’s the recipe for your frosting:

Ingredients:

1 egg white
1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice
160g of powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. In a clean mixing bowl, carefully beat the egg white until it becomes frothy and slightly thickened.
2. Add 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice to the beaten egg white, continuing to beat until well combined. The lemon juice adds flavor and helps stabilize the frosting.
3. Gradually add the powdered sugar to the mixture, a little at a time, while continuing to beat on low speed. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to incorporate all the sugar.
4. Keep adding powdered sugar until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. You’re aiming for a stiff frosting that holds its shape well and doesn’t spread too much.

Once you’ve achieved the desired consistency, your frosting is ready to use! Transfer it to a piping bag fitted with a narrow tip for decorating your baked goods.

This homemade frosting is perfect for adding a sweet and tangy finish to your cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. Enjoy decorating your treats with this delightful frosting recipe!

For those with a knack for baking and decorating finesse,

Here’s another trick to elevate your mahjong gingerbread game: whip up a slightly thinner homemade white sugar glaze following the recipe provided earlier. Gently coat each gingerbread piece with this glaze and allow it to dry completely—ideally overnight. Once dry, you can then proceed to add intricate details using colored icing, mimicking the style of mahjong tiles. This method adds an extra layer of depth and detail to your creations, sure to impress both the eyes and taste buds alike.

In Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, I hope this blog post has inspired you to infuse a bit of creativity into your own baking endeavors. Whether it’s trying out unique shapes, experimenting with different frostings, or exploring new decorating techniques, the joy of baking lies not just in the end result, but in the process itself.

So, grab your apron, preheat your oven, and let your imagination run wild. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply for the love of it, remember that the best ingredient you can add to any recipe is a sprinkle of creativity and a dash of fun.

Let us know how your gingerbread turned out—we’d love to hear about your delicious creations!

Happy baking, and may your kitchen always be filled with warmth, laughter, and the delicious aroma of freshly baked treats. Cheers to many more baking adventures ahead!