Why should I rest gingerbread dough?

Why should I rest gingerbread dough? - Cheerful multiethnic girls eating tasty appetizing gingerbread made for Halloween celebration while sitting on steps

My gingerbread recipe says I should rest the dough for 20 minutes in the refrigerator before rolling out and cutting. What difference does it make?



Best Answer

In most wheat-based recipes, gluten strands are formed while you work the dough. If you don't rest the dough, rolling can be more difficult and you may get a tougher texture in the final product.

Additionally, refrigerating the dough up to a certain point will firm up the fats in the recipe (butter, etc), which will make the dough less mushy and will making rolling out the dough evenly a bit easier. Unless the dough is so firm it becomes brittle, refrigeration will make the dough less fragile in most cases.

Perhaps less important, the moisture levels may become a bit more consistent throughout the dough as well.




Pictures about "Why should I rest gingerbread dough?"

Why should I rest gingerbread dough? - Young female in warm Christmas sweater and hat sitting on sofa while reading interesting book and having gingerbread
Why should I rest gingerbread dough? - Black girl having gingerbread treat with friend
Why should I rest gingerbread dough? - Adorable little multiethnic girls in casual outfits sitting on ground in park with sweets decorated for Halloween



Does gingerbread need to rest?

After mixing, the dough needs to rest in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. The sheer force from the paddle increases gluten-formation, so it needs time to relax. Otherwise, the cookies will have a tough bite. Chilling firms up the butter, so it's easier to roll and cut.

Do you have to chill gingerbread cookie dough?

Chill the dough: The dough is sticky once it's all beaten together in your mixing bowl and therefore, it absolutely MUST be chilled for at least 3 hours. Give yourself enough time in the kitchen or make the cookie dough and chill it overnight.

How long should I chill my gingerbread dough?

Chill your dough for at least 2 hours before rolling it out. It makes is less likely to stick to the rolling pin or your countertop.



THE GINGERBREAD MAN STORY ♫| Nursery Rhyme Song for Kids| Pancake Manor




More answers regarding why should I rest gingerbread dough?

Answer 2

I think it really depends on your recipe. My favorite recipe http://oddsandhens.wordpress.com/2013/12/21/best-gingerbread-cookie-recipe works either way. I will say it is easier to roll out when chilled but not cold as this recipe is pretty thick due to flour etc. It also makes the dough less sticky.

Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

Images: Charles Parker, Julia Larson, Charles Parker, Charles Parker