The Best Gingerbread Cookie Recipe & A Festive Holiday Coffee Bar

Over the past few weeks, I've found myself with less time than ever to plan parties, especially with three active little ones running around. However, come Christmas time, I always find a way to make things happen, because let's face it—holiday cheer is non-negotiable! Even so, there are moments when I just can't pull off a full-blown feast while still keeping things fun and family-friendly. That's where a festive dessert and coffee bar comes in—a simple yet effective way to keep everyone entertained, fed, and laughing long after the gifts have been opened. Last weekend, while my parents were visiting, we threw a cozy family Christmas gathering. To transform our living room into a winter wonderland, we turned the console table behind the couch into a magical dessert and coffee station. It was the perfect centerpiece that blended seamlessly with the holiday decor. Here's how I pulled it off: The moment guests walked in, they were greeted by a stunning display of seasonal flair. I started with a clean slate—a bare console table—and added a touch of festive charm with pine branches, pinecones, and sprigs of holly. Most of these decorations came from our own stash or were collected during our recent walks in the park. Who knew those fallen pinecones would come in handy? Building up vertically with tiered cake stands, trays, and serving dishes instantly elevated the setup. If you're anything like me, you probably have a collection of trays lying around the house. I simply scoured a few rooms to gather mine. A mirrored tray held white mugs and toppings for hot chocolate, while a gold tray showcased elegant glass mugs paired with a carafe of freshly brewed coffee. Not only do trays keep everything organized, but they also make it easier to transport snacks from the kitchen to the table. Speaking of coffee, since we had a mix of kids and adults, we opted for warm, comforting beverages that everyone could enjoy. We’ve been loving the Keurig 2.0 for its ease of use and versatility. It’s become my go-to machine for creating different types of drinks throughout the day. For our dessert bar, we brewed a full carafe of coffee using the Keurig 2.0 550, which was perfect for those needing an extra boost. Alongside the coffee, we set out syrups, cinnamon sticks, whipped cream, and other toppings to let guests customize their cups. My daughter loved brewing individual cups of hot chocolate on demand—it became a hit almost immediately! Of course, no dessert bar is complete without sweet treats. With some free time on a Saturday morning, I decided to bake up a storm in the kitchen. Playing festive Christmas tunes, we whipped up batches of sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and, at my husband’s insistence, chocolate chip cookies. A chocolate bundt cake completed our spread. If you don’t have time to bake, store-bought desserts can be just as festive when arranged beautifully. Sometimes, even the simplest displays can steal the show! The results? A delightful array of cookies, cakes, and drinks that kept everyone happily sipping and snacking. Our guests had a blast playing games, opening presents, and soaking in the cozy atmosphere. I can’t wait to share more of our coffee-inspired creations soon! If you're looking for the ultimate gingerbread cookie recipe—one that's soft and full of classic gingerbread flavor—I've got you covered. Here's how we made ours: **The Best Gingerbread Cookies** *Ingredients:* - 1 1/2 cups softened butter (3 sticks) - 1 cup brown sugar - 2 large eggs - 1 cup molasses - 5 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling the dough) - 1 teaspoon baking soda - 3/4 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves - 2 teaspoons ground ginger *For the Icing:* - 1 cup confectioners’ sugar - 2 teaspoons milk - 2 teaspoons corn syrup - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract *Instructions:* 1. In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth. 2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. 3. Mix in molasses. 4. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients and add to the wet mixture. Mix until smooth. 5. Flatten the dough onto wax paper or plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for two hours. 6. Once chilled, roll out dough on a floured surface. 7. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). 8. Cut dough into desired shapes and place on a greased or lined baking sheet. 9. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool cookies on the pan for a couple of minutes before transferring to a wire rack. For the icing: 1. Sift confectioners' sugar into a bowl and mix on low speed with a wire whisk. 2. Add milk, corn syrup, and almond extract, whipping until smooth. 3. Divide icing into small bowls and add food coloring if desired. 4. Pour icing into a squeeze bottle or ziplock bag, cutting a small hole in the corner to decorate cookies. There you have it—delicious gingerbread cookies that will bring a touch of holiday magic to your table. Cheers to a season filled with laughter, love, and sweet moments! *Disclosure:* This post is sponsored by Keurig. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make this blog possible! *P.S.* If you're craving more festive recipes, check out my favorite eats below! *Details:* - Table: [Link] - Gold Tray: [Link] - Mirrored Tray: [Link] - Cake Stand: [Link] - Gold Charger: [Link] - White Mugs: [Link] - Glass Coffee Mugs: [Link] - Mercury Hurricane Vase: [Link] - Coffee: Keurig 2.0 (courtesy of Keurig) - Hot Chocolate: [Link] - K-Carafe Coffee: [Link] - Straws: [Link]

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