The Sweetest Kind of Christmas Tradition

December 11, 2025

There’s a moment each December when the entire house smells like the holidays—warm spices drifting from the kitchen, the quiet hum of the mixer, and that first taste of dough that tells you Christmas is officially on its way. For me, that moment comes with gingerbread cookies. Soft, slightly spiced, rolled in sparkling sugar… and just nostalgic enough to make me slow down for a minute.

Some people laugh when I say baking is therapy—but for me, it’s true. There’s something about measuring flour, softening butter, and watching brown sugar turn fluffy that settles the mind. Maybe it's because baking feels like handing someone a little piece of comfort—one cookie at a time. And during this holiday season, comfort is a love language all its own.

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Gingerbread itself has a story that feels just as warm. It became a Christmas tradition thanks to a few delightful turns in history—Queen Elizabeth I charming her guests with gingerbread cookies shaped like little portraits, and German bakers filling winter markets with beautifully decorated cookies and gingerbread houses. Before long, those spicy-sweet treats became tied to the season, carrying the flavors and magic of Christmas into every kitchen.

And while gingerbread houses have long been part of holiday tradition, Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri takes it to an entirely new level. One of my absolute favorite parts of visiting the resort at Christmastime is seeing their enormous gingerbread displays—grand, whimsical, and detailed enough to make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Christmas village. It’s the kind of magic that makes you smile.

And if this year's display itself isn’t impressive enough, the ingredient list certainly is—90 pounds of powdered sugar, 75 pounds of flour, 24 pounds of sugar, 20 pounds of chocolate, 16 pounds of butter, and 200 eggs...Yes… two hundred. It’s gingerbread on a grand scale, crafted with the kind of dedication and whimsy that makes you feel like a kid again just standing in front of it.

If you have never been to Big Cedar, I highly recommend you putting it on your list! You'll find yourself wanting to return again, and again!

When I created my version of the gingerbread cookie—the one that bakes up soft in the center, crisp around the edges, and dusted with just enough sparkle—it felt like joining a long line of holiday traditions that bring joy to generations.

Chewy centers, crisp edges, sparkling sugar on top—these gingerbread cookies have quickly become my go-to holiday recipe and Claire Elizabeth's favorite! They’re simple enough for weeknights, nostalgic enough for tradition, and delicious enough that you may want to double the batch right from the start.

And because recipes are meant to be shared, here’s mine—straight from my kitchen to yours.

Family Christmas Tradition: Melissa's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (Kerrygold is my kitchen staple)

• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 1/4 cup molasses (I prefer Wholesome brand organic unsulfured blackstrap from Whole Foods)

• 1 tsp vanilla bean paste

• 1 large egg

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (I love Caputo 00 flour)

• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp kosher salt

• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

*• 1/1 tsp ground cloves

*• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg

*• 1/4 tsp black pepper

*• 1/4 cup sparkling sugar

*slightly heaping—because in true Southern fashion, and following my grandmothers’ rules, some things are measured more by feeling, scent, and memory than by level teaspoons.

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F with racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven.

2. Beat butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

3. Add molasses and vanilla; mix on low just until combined. Add the egg and beat until the mixture thickens slightly, about 30 seconds.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.

5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing on low just until combined.

6. Place sparkling sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll portions of dough into balls and lightly dip the tops in sugar.

7. Arrange on parchment-lined baking sheets, spacing 2 inches apart. Gently flatten each ball with the back of a wooden spatula.

8. Bake 8–10 minutes. All ovens have their own personalities, and some bake a little unevenly, so you may need to rotate your pan if you notice a few cookies coloring faster than others. These can brown on the bottom in a hurry, so give them a peek at the 7-minute mark. In my oven, 8 minutes is the sweet spot.

9. Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool completely.

With a little salt, a little sweet, a bit of crunch, and a soft, chewy center, these just may be Santa’s favorite cookies this year!

Holiday traditions don’t always arrive wrapped in ribbon. Sometimes they show up as a simple recipe that becomes “the one,” a cookie everyone asks for, a moment in the kitchen that turns into a memory. Gingerbread is a gift all on its own—memories, traditions, and love packed into a little tin or box. Share a few with a friend or neighbor this season, and you might be surprised how far a simple cookie can travel in someone’s heart. However you celebrate this season, I hope you find sweetness in the small things… and maybe a little extra sugar on top.

And because no holiday is complete without spoiling our four-legged family members… a little reminder: Evoke now carries Christmas treats from Bella’s Bakery at Prancing Paws! Most of you know how much I love dogs—I’ve had many hundreds of fur babies in my life over the last 16 years through my daycare, with so many of them becoming part of my heart by extension. Being able to bring a little slice of that love to our Island pups is something that makes me especially happy this season.

Naughty or Nice Dog Treats

So while you’re picking up gifts for friends and neighbors, don’t forget the furry little ones who bring so much joy to our days. A festive cookie or two is the sweetest way to say, “Merry Christmas!—you’re loved too.”

A quick Evoke update:

There are only a few shopping days left before Christmas at Evoke Studios &Gifts before I travel for the holidays!

Hours:

• Tuesday–Thursday: 11a–4p

• Friday & Saturday: 12p–4p

• Closed: December 23rd–27th

If you need something outside those hours, just reach out—I’ll do my very best to accommodate you.

And a little holiday bonus: The first person to walk through the door each day until Christmas will receive a free gift with their purchase!

And at checkout, don’t forget to spin the wheel to see what extra discounts or freebies you can add to your goodies. It’s a fun little way to sprinkle in some extra cheer while you shop!

Gift certificates are also available—one size fits all!

And we have beautiful new items arriving daily for men, women, and children.

Here is my personal favorite from the latest arrivals to Evoke! The FOGHAT Smoker. I have one myself and absolutely LOVE it. You can smoke cheese, fish, nuts, cocktails… this takes your Woodford Old Fashioned to a whole new level. It's a perfect gift for anyone who loves to entertain and just as wonderful for cozy evenings at home. Truly one of those gifts that feels special and gets used again and again. The charcuterie board and cloche are included—everything you need straight out of the box!

The Art of Island Life will return next week with more coastal stories and community inspiration. Have a holiday tradition or memory you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you at contact@melissamitchellart.com