The return of the handsome men!
It felt so weird to be listening to Christmas music and making cookies when the weather outside was 80 degrees and I was wearing shorts! Texas weather is so strange. Tomorrow, it’ll be back in the 30s.
Because I have such a hard time making decisions, you get to see a lot of photos. Hey, but who would complain about seeing too many handsome-men photos???
Raw Gingerbread Men and Ladies
Word of warning: This dough is so good that you might just want to eat it all out of the food processor/Magic Bullet and save yourself the trouble of forming handsome ginger guys.
- 120g dates (packed 3/4c) If unsure what dates to use, see Fudge Baby FAQ.
- 3 tbsp raw almonds
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1/16th tsp cloves
- tiny pinch salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions: Blend, baby, blend. Then form into people. Or Christmas trees, reindeer, angels… Heck, why not go crazy making yourself a little Gingerbread World?
Changing subjects…
Remember Picture Day at school?
It was a big deal, right? Some random photographer got control over how you’d be remembered for years to come. (Thank goodness, at least, for Picture Re-take Day.) Luckily, with Christmas cards, I get to have a little (read: a lot) more control. ‘Course, if we don’t get them ordered and mailed out soon, it might turn into a Valentine’s Day card!
We narrowed it down to these two.
Above, CCK and the Mashed Potato Sister.
Poor dear; I am very sorry for your nickname. But you brought it upon yourself! Plus, I’m getting you back for all those years you called me ‘Has. (Has came from Tejas, which somehow came from Tatie, which came from Katie. My sister is a strange one… but I love her!)
Lindsay says
These are too cute! I bet they are tasty too!
rebecca lustig says
those men ARE handsome. i need me some 🙂
happy fridayyy!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
Nice men! I like the second picture best. Last Friday for Flashback Friday I posted all of my school pictures from K-12, ending with my Glamour Shots-esque senior pic! Good times! 🙂
My nicknames haven’t been much, but Chrissy Wissy was one growing up that made me cry! Muppet and Raspberry Muppet came later in life, and I was Aunt Kiss to my cute niece when she was little.
Leslie says
Aww, nieces give the best nicknames, I swear!
Albizia says
I don’t mind seeing so many handsome men. *goes to see what’s inside* Mmm, I think I’m in love 😛
Which picture is better? Both pictures are gorgeous and I would choose the second one only because I prefer horizontal cards.
As for silly nicknames, I’ve had some I really hated but the one I still love is Harry which came from my first ever chatroom nickname harridan. It’s funny how people react when they hear someone calling me Harry 😀 .
abby says
the christmas photos are sooooooo pretty! as are the gingerbread men, of course. you’re right, i could look at them all day :).
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
I love those little men!
Leslie says
Wow, talk about good genes, Katie! You two have such great smiles :). I like the first photo best, but both are cute.
Lisa C. says
Mona Lisa. Figures, right? Kids aren’t too creative sometimes lol.
Inspired says
Cute cute cute! Everything about this post is adorable. 🙂
Valerie says
I think you look gorgeous in both photos. That doesn’t help much, does it? Oops sorry! 🙂 Maybe you should take a third photo: you WITH the gingerbread men ;).
Nina says
you are so STINKING PRETTY. sheesh. save some gorgeousness for the rest of us will ya?!
hahah but i like the second one! and those gingerbread men look deeeelish. i might have to try them after finals when i actuallllyy have a kitchen at home 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Ok, it’s official. You are the sweetest girl in the world! Did you know? 🙂
GabyE says
I love love love raw gingerbread men 🙂 and I made them this morning too! But, whenever I make a fudge baby, they are always sooooo sticky, they taste amazing anyway, but I can’t shape them or pack them. Do you know how I could fix this? Maybe my dates are really moist…should I add more nuts?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Heya girl,
You could try adding more nuts. But what dates do you use? And what type of blender?
Adri says
Katie, I was having the same stickiness issue with the fudgy babies, larabars, etc and added ground flaxseed to the mixture. Perfect result: not as sticky, every bit as yummy, and added bonus of Omega-3 goodness. I went with 1 tbsp per 90 g base recipe.
Alisa Fleming says
I love, love, love your gingerbread men Katie!! I soooo remember them from last year.
The first picture gets my vote.
Um, nicknames? Yeah, we don’t discuss that sort of thing online 🙂
A Teenage Gourmet says
Both pictures are cute, but the second one is my favorite. 🙂
Healthy Chocoholic says
I don’t think I’ve ever had any silly nicknames……..how boring!
Those gingerbread men look really good!!!!
Molly @ Mollyrunsfresh says
Oh my gosh girl, these look delicious and simple to make! I’m gonna put these on the cookie plates I give out to friends. Have an awesome Friday 🙂
Julia (The Veggie Side) says
I totally know how you feel about the weather! I live in Louisiana. It was freezing just two days ago, yesterday it was actually hot, and now it feels like Fall. Never a boring day! I pick picture # 2 (but they are both gorgeous!). And my nicknames have been (and some still are)…Julia Goolia, Jules, JuJu Bean, & JuJu & Jay. Gotta love all the ppl who called me Julia Goolia…”Thanks a lot.” 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hahahahaha The Wedding Singer is SUCH a cute movie :).
Brandie says
Oooh those look good! I’ll have to try them on Junior – always lookin for healthy raw snack ideas that a toddler will love, Thanks!!! 🙂 And the 2nd pic is better! 😉
Sarah Courtney says
CC Katie,
My sister gave me the weirdest nicknames; all are food related haha!
Fruitcake is one of her favorites when she is implying me doing something silly.
Chiquita is a name that has been making a resurgence the past couple years; not sure where this came from. She is Anne so it would seem Chiquita would fit much better with her name (like Anna banana) right.
Then the most used is Berrie; a mutant name of Sarie Berrie.
My mom has been assigned dessert for Christmas dinner and I keep hinting *ginger bread* in emails and text messages. She makes this dense rich gingerbread cake with homemade whipped cream. I DIE! I think a vegan raw version would be just as satisfying and yummy but I doubt anyone else in the Courtney family would agree. (lame).
-Sarah Courtney
“Berrie”
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Fruitcake? LOL our sisters could be good friends, it seems.
I don’t think I’ve ever had gingerbread cake. How sad is that?!
-Katie
“Tator Tot” 🙂
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) says
Man you are SO PRETTY!! Btw I like the second picture best 🙂
And I must make those gingerbread men! They look+sound delicious!!
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
I just made some raw gingerbread men for neighbors the other day! They loved them! I thought they made my tummy feel better because of the ginger!
My dad calls me Big Al because I was the biggest child of the family…ugh….but other than that my name is just Alex (short for Alexandra). My sis on the other hand has a lot of nicknames! Here name is Julianna, but when I was little I couldn’t say Julianna. Thus, I called her Juju. Everyone calls her by these names now: Juj, Juje, Juju Fruit, Joogie, Juju bean, Jujmeister, Grandma Juj, and others that I can’t remember!
I like the first pic, by the way!
Averie (LoveVeggiesandYoga) says
I love the gingerbread men. has it been a YEAR ALREADY??!!! since I saw the orig post…wow, time flies!
School pic day, yep, always woke up with bad hair and a blemish…not really, but close to it 🙂
Funny names…oh tons. But I will keep it clean in the comment field 🙂
Nicole (Picky Nicky) says
Mmm, I can practically taste the gingery-ness of those gingerbread men. My favourite nickname is from a little girl I babysit, she calls me NicoNico, ahaha the way she says it is so cute! By the way, you have such a heath glow 🙂 I LOVE IT! Must be all the chocolate 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aww thanks, girl! Hehe chocolate makes the world go round!!!
Kiersten says
I like the first picture better, it’s more centered. Both pictures look cute though. The gingerbread men look adorable too. I have to make those again, they were delicious!
Laura @ Meet Virginia says
Those gingerbread men look goooood! And I never realized how much you and your sister look alike! You are both so gorgeous!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Hehe I never think we look alike, but everyone else does! 🙂
Blog is the New Black says
I like the first pic!
Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA says
I like the 2nd picture.
Some of my friends have called me Eri-Bear. No idea why.
Krystina (Basil & Wine) says
How cute!!!! I like the second picture best. 🙂
Fi says
Fival as in ‘feyeful’ was my nick name for quite a while! Also fizz and feefs! Random I know! Iike the first pic the best, 😉 have u had Gingerbread men oatmeal this winter? It s definitely up there with apple pie oats in my humble opinion!xx
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I keep meaning to make gingerbread oatmeal! It gets away from me… but I so want to do it. Maybe this week!!
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
Both pictures are great, but I think I like the first one better!
Lauren @ Coachlauren.net says
Those sound awesome!!
My nickname used to be (still is sometimes…) lolo. When my sisters were little and couldn’t pronounce Lauren they called me lolo….it stuck…
Lauren
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
hehe it’s almost like LOL 🙂
That’s how I got stuck with Tatie, too. My sister couldn’t pronounce her Ks.
Jordan says
My oldest nickname is Jordy…my dad’s been calling me that since babyhood. Or Jordy-Wordy. 🙂
Nicknames from high school include Jodu, Brad, GPG #2, Mattress #1, Dunkerdizzle, Mini-Dunks, and Dunkin’ Donuts [plays on my last name, of course].
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Haha at Dunkin Donuts. Also, did you ever get Dunkaroo? I used to love those stupid snacks lol… not because they tasted good, but simply because they were fun to eat :).
Ann Claire says
Yum! Those raw gingerbread men look awesome. As for the pictures, I prefer the 2nd one but they’re both cute!
Well for some reason my cardigan that I wear to school (uniforms) has been smelling like maple syrup lately. I think it’s because of this candle in my house but even when I wash the sweater the smell remains and it’s kind of become a joke at school. So, people have taken to calling me Ann-cakes and pan-Claires. Haha they think they’re so creative 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Woah, a maple-syrup-smelling candle? Sounds like something I’d want to EAT!
Jenny says
Whoo! Return of the gingerbread! One of the best Christmas treats out there, in my humble opinion… So glad you have a recipe for it! Also, I have to say… Your photos are always wonderful, but the fourth photo in this post looks particularly professional! (Looks like something I would see in a cookbook!)
Both photos of you and your sister are great! My preference is for the first one… Probably just ’cause it has you two centered? I don’t know. XD
I haven’t been called too many nicknames… but my family has one in particular that is super embarrassing and that I wish would just be forgotten one day. D: But otherwise, they [my immediate family] and some close friends nickname me Jenjen, which I don’t mind~ Oh and I’ve also been called “Early Bird”! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I was “Early bird” because I accidentally slept through a varsity soccer match one day :(. My teammates were not exactly happy with me!
Jenny says
Oh. D: I didn’t realise it was in a sarcastic sense! I’m guessing you must’ve had an important position on the field though, if they got upset with you. (Looking at it in a positive light – it means you were important to the team! :D) What position did you play? (I used to be a defensive midfielder, when I played as a kid~)
I get called the “early bird” because I do actually like to wake up early… Always without an alarm clock, but always early!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
It’s so funny, because now I AM an early bird just like you. I grew into my nickname :).
I was a forward, so lol I scored the goals… I think we lost that game. Oops! 😉
melissa @ the delicate place says
i’m making raw gingerbread balls to give out to my coworkers as gifts! they may get a few raw cookie dough in there too 🙂
Jillian says
You look great in both photos but I think the second one is the best!
Nicknames…sigh. So many ridiculous ones: Jill pickle, jilly rancher, JT, Jules, Jill of the Future, but most often I get Jillybean (which I secretly like!) And my dad calls me Sparky. Haha, parents!! 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Jilly Bean is super-cute! It sure beats Tator Tot! 😕
Moni'sMeals says
Now those are some cute lil fellows!
🙂
BroccoliHut says
The weather has been all over the place here too–60s yesterday 30s tomorrow!
Weird nicknames: Carnie, Crannie, Cran Puss, Cran Apple, Francine (like the aardvark), Frannie, Frannie Pants…
Floey says
Girl, you are so beautiful in both of those pictures, I really can’t choose. Your sis looks gorgeous just the same 🙂
Claire says
Cute nick names! I get Clarabelle, Clarence, Clarice – I have original friends 😛
In responce to the other day, no I hadn’t heard about the NY chef! Well done you’ve found my limit, hadn’t considered anything from humans, that’s just so so wrong. Doesn’t matter how good it may taste *shudder*!
Vanilla Swirl says
Hi!!
You probably don’t remember me, but it’s Vanilla, I just wanted to say that the guest I made probably wouldn’t be worth posting anymore since I’m no longer blogging ^_^’
Cute gingermen <3, I'm only capable of rolling them in ball form :p
Merry Christmas (1 week left!!!) 😀
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh dear pretty vanilla swirl, I could NEVER forget you! And I didn’t forget your guest post either. In fact, I just came up for a title for it last week: Vanilla-Covered guest post hehe. I’ve just been so backed up, especially with moving blogs, but I always intended to post it. I would still love to feature you and your adorable drawing especially… but if you’d rather I didn’t, that’s ok too. Whatever you wish, dear friend! 🙂 Let me know.
Vanilla Swirl says
Of course! I admit I was a little bit worried at first but hey, it’s not the end of the world, lol. Vanilla covered chocolate, so cool!!
Love the new style of your blog, by the way. <3
p.s: Strange nickname, you say? Mine is ''Baby (insert my family name)''. It's because of the fact that I'm so short (4'11'') and that my family name is chinese, so it's ''fun'' to pronouce. (Yes, that's why I chose ''babyvanilla'', not because I like girly names, lol)
Pure2raw twins says
I like the second picture!!! You two are so beautiful!!
Love the gingerbread men, we will have to make them.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
We’re *almost* twins… hehe but I guess almost doesn’t count, right? We don’t have that cool twin sense like I bet you do! 🙂
Char says
First picture 😀
xoxo
OvoVeggie Alexandra says
I can’t find dates anywhere. Not in the produce section, nor the dried fruit and nut isle.
Where are they usually located in your grocery store?
And are there any substitutes I can use for dates until I find them? Such as raisins.. maybe?
Ah, stupid dates are hiding and don’t want to be eaten D:<
Thanks 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh no! Meanie dates! They need to come out of hiding!!
I find mine next to the raisins (SunMaid brand, in a red package). But at stores like Whole Foods, you can find them in the bulk aisle… or sometimes with the nuts.
As for substitutes… some people say you can use raisins, but I’ve never tried it. If you do, let me know whatcha think! 🙂
OvoVeggie Alexandra says
I’ll look harder next time them, and if they so chose to hide some more, I’ll just slaughter some raisins (:
lol, thank you!
Brittany says
I know its not Christmas but these look so fun and good! Im going to make them then freeze them for a Christmas treat through out the year!
Ashley says
can these be made with raisins instead of dates?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Haven’t tried it, but I don’t see why not!
Lisa says
Haha, I call my friend “Fina” – Which came from “JoeFina” – Which came from “Josephina” – Which came from “Josephine” – Which came from “Joseph” – Which came from his actual name, which is just “Joe”!!
Dorothy says
I have a question about this recipe. I was wondering how do you store them. Can they be frozen?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Counter (covered) a few days, or fridge a few weeks or freeze for months!
Jamie says
These are SOOO amazing!! I can eat gingerbread all day every day (i cant just have it at the holidays!) I adore it… I don’t know if you are a protein powder user, but I thought I’d share my newest protein shake recipe to another gingerbread lover to another just in case 🙂
1 cup Unsweetened almond milk
10 g walnuts
85 g spinach
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1 tsp gingerbread spice mixture (I mix 1 tbsp nutmeg, 2 tbsp cloves, 6 tbsp ginger, and 7 tbsp cinnamon and store it in the fridge)
5 g molasses
1/8 tsp xanthan gum (my newest addition… Crazy how think just a little bit makes your shakes so thick!)
Few ice cubes
I use my food scale for about 95% of all my measurings but I know you have one too so I figured it’d be okay to share that way! Hope you like it if you try it… It’s like drinking a giant healthy molasses ginger cookie! 🙂
Jessica says
Just made these! They were great! Just don’t add too much cloves! Is there such thing as 1/16 tsp measuring spoon? I had to estimate with my 1/4 tsp for the cloves…and I think I added a smidge too much. But these were pretty tasty nonetheless.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’ve seen them… but, like you, I don’t own any. I just fill my 1/8th tsp halfway :).
Caroline says
Just made these for my dad, using some pecans and cashews because that’s what I had on hand… let’s just say I got a VERY positive response. Oh, the ways to charm guys into thinking vegan food is not all that bad… 🙂
Melissa says
Hey!
You mention using a food processor or magic bullet… unfortunately I don’t have either. Do you think I’d be able to make this in a regular blender? Or would it be too sticky?
Thanks 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
It was too sticky when I tried it with a vitamix (a high powered blender). Almost killed the blender! But maybe if you have a less-high-powered version it could work!
Monica says
I made this and it reminded me of cookies we ate when we were in Germany. (but they were also made with flour and were covered in chocolate) good…..the smell reminds me of Christmas! This recipe is “keeper” …..thank you! I actually rolled into a log, refridgerated, and when I want…..I slice a piece. I’ll be making these often!!! 🙂
Krysti says
I swear, I am pinning your ENTIRE blog! O.o
I LOVE this! I have been craving gingerbread men lately.
Kel says
Just made these! So good. Made them into babies. I really th8ink they’re going to be better tomorrow after the flavors marinate. 😀
Jewell says
I Love your website!
Don’t know how long you’ve been baking but I just found you last night!
I’ll be gathering ingredients this week for baking next week!
My husband’s taking me to Disneyworld for my 61st birthday, some of your cookies will be traveling along!
Thank you!
Emma says
Loooooove your blog so much!!!!! You have the BEST recipes and they are healthy too! You are so amazing.
Amy Escobar says
Oh man, ginger is my best friend.
And as for that Vitamix giveaway, I’m sure I’d use it for sweets, but I also really want to start grinding my own flours and freezing them. I’m a newlywed, so we don’t have much now… the coffee grinder works but boy it takes forever!
Hannah says
Hi! recipe looks great:) do you use 80g of whole dates or pitted ones?
Thanks!!
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Dried, pitted. Like Sunmaid brand.
Dak Daniel says
Awesome! Do you use water or vanilla to help them form? More dates? Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Moondragon007 says
Any suggestions on what kinds of nuts I can substitute for the almonds to get the gingerbread-y taste? I’m allergic to almonds, peanuts, and pistachios. Oatmeal is not an option cos I also have celiac disease and even supposedly gluten-free oatmeal does bad things to me.
Please email me, cos I probably won’t remember to check this blog for answers.
Thanks in advance!
Abby Balkus says
How many gingerbread men does this recipe make?
Melissa Alexander says
I’ve been trying to find a protein bar recipe that doesn’t have ingredients I can’t locate in South Georgia, doesn’t taste like sweet cardboard, and isn’t going to put me in the poor house. So, I decided after several weeks of scouring the internet to try and adapt this recipe to a protein bar. It turned out AMAZING. Stats aren’t bad either. I made 4 bars out of 270 grams of dough. 203 calories, 2.6 fat grams, 0 mg cholesterol, 24.9 carbs, 3.1 fiber, 19.7 sugars, and (most important to me) 22.8 protein grams. I just added about 1/4 c 60 calorie almond coconut milk and 90 grams of Isonatural unflavored whey.
Bob says
Super yummy, but super sticky! I used lightly salted almonds (didn’t have any raw ones on hand) and omitted the salt; in the future I might add flax seed or try to follow the recipe a little more closely to address that issue.
Kim says
These were actually very good! We used this as a base for a lara bar birthday cake for my daughter. It was very sweet, so we had to cut thin slices. The bonus was that all the leftover cake could be rolled up into balls and stored for future treats!
Maggie says
These look soooo good! I think the first thing I would make with my VitaMix would either be some type of soup (it’s getting cold!) or a delicious kale based smoothie 🙂
Maggie says
I’m trying to enter the Vitamix contect, but the post that you aks us to comment on besides this one https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/chocolate-covered-recipes/raw-some/vita-mix-giveaway/ doesn’t have an option for me to leave a comment. Could you help me out with this? I would really love an opportunity to help my new husband and I get healthier, especially around the holidays! Thanks a ton!