Why should I rest gingerbread dough?
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.
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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
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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.
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