Ninja Bread is a fun twist on traditional gingerbread that brings a playful edge to holiday baking. Inspired by the stealth and agility of ninjas, this recipe combines classic spices with a soft, chewy texture that everyone will love. It’s perfect for festive gatherings or just a cozy night in with a warm cup of tea.
We’ve crafted this recipe to be simple yet flavorful, making it accessible for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you’re decorating with the kids or looking for a unique treat to impress guests, Ninja Bread offers a delightful balance of spice and sweetness. Let’s dive into creating this delicious and eye-catching treat that’s sure to become a new favorite in your holiday repertoire.
Ingredients
To create our Ninja Bread, we carefully combine a blend of dry and wet ingredients that bring out the signature warm spices and chewy texture. Below, you’ll find the essential components along with optional toppings to add flair to our festive treat.
Dry Ingredients
The dry ingredients lay the foundation for the bold flavors and structure of our Ninja Bread.
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
Wet Ingredients
The wet ingredients enrich the dough with moisture and sweetness, helping create that irresistibly soft and chewy inside.
- ¾ cup unsulfured molasses
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons hot water
Optional Toppings and Decorations
To personalize and decorate our Ninja Bread for festive occasions, we can use:
| Toppings | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Royal icing | For detailed piping and designs |
| Colored sprinkles | Adds vibrant color and texture |
| Mini chocolate chips | Adds bittersweet bursts |
| Edible glitter | Gives a sparkling holiday look |
| Assorted candies | For fun and playful accents |
These ingredients and decorations together create an inviting Ninja Bread experience perfect for sharing or gifting during the holiday season.
Equipment Needed
To make our Ninja Bread recipe come to life perfectly, having the right equipment on hand is essential. Each tool ensures we achieve the ideal dough consistency and bake the bread to soft, chewy perfection.
- Mixing Bowls: We recommend two sturdy bowls, one for dry ingredients and one for wet ingredients, to keep mixing organized and clean.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measuring tools for all-purpose flour, spices, molasses, and other ingredients guarantee consistent results.
- Electric Mixer or Whisk: We use an electric mixer for faster, smoother blending of wet and dry ingredients, but a strong whisk works if needed.
- Spatula: A flexible rubber spatula is perfect for scraping the sides of the bowl to incorporate every bit of dough.
- Rolling Pin: We roll the dough evenly with a rolling pin to ensure consistent thickness and even baking.
- Cookie Cutters: Ninja-shaped or any festive silhouettes help us create fun and thematic shapes for Ninja Bread.
- Baking Sheet: A flat, rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper provides an even bake and easy clean-up.
- Cooling Rack: Once baked, cooling the bread here prevents sogginess and preserves texture.
- Small Bowls for Decorations: Perfect for holding royal icing, sprinkles, and other toppings during decorating.
| Equipment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Mixing Bowls | Separate dry and wet ingredients mixing |
| Measuring Cups | Accurate ingredient measurement |
| Electric Mixer | Efficient mixing for smooth dough |
| Spatula | Scraping bowl edges |
| Rolling Pin | Even dough thickness |
| Cookie Cutters | Shaping Ninja Bread |
| Baking Sheet | Baking the dough evenly |
| Cooling Rack | Cooling baked bread without moisture |
| Small Bowls | Holding decorating materials |
Having these essentials ready keeps our baking streamlined and enjoyable. With the right equipment, creating our flavorful and festive Ninja Bread is a smooth, fun process that results in delicious treats every time.
Prep Work
Getting started with our Ninja Bread recipe involves careful preparation to ensure the dough achieves the perfect texture and our baking surfaces are ready for even cooking. Let’s break down these initial steps to set us up for success.
Preparing the Dough
We begin by combining our dry ingredients—all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, and brown sugar—in a large mixing bowl. Sifting these together ensures an even distribution of spices which is key to the bold flavor of our Ninja Bread.
Next, in a separate bowl, we whisk the wet ingredients: molasses, melted butter, an egg, and vanilla extract. The warm melted butter should be just right—not too hot—to prevent cooking the egg prematurely.
We then pour the wet ingredients gradually into the dry mixture, stirring constantly with a spatula or using an electric mixer on low speed. This method helps us achieve a moist but firm dough that is easy to handle and roll out.
Once combined, we transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently. This step is crucial to activate the gluten gently, resulting in the signature soft yet chewy texture. We should knead just enough to bring the dough together—about 3 to 4 minutes.
Finally, we wrap the dough tightly in plastic wrap and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. This resting period prevents spreading during baking and enhances the flavor.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| Mix Dry Ingredients | Sift together all-purpose flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar |
| Combine Wet Ingredients | Whisk molasses, melted butter (warm), egg, vanilla extract |
| Mix | Gradually blend wet into dry ingredients with spatula or mixer on low |
| Knead | Lightly knead on floured surface for 3-4 minutes |
| Chill | Wrap tightly and refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour |
Preheating and Preparing Baking Surfaces
While the dough chills, we preheat our oven to 350°F (175°C). Correct oven temperature is essential for even baking and maintaining the Ninja Bread’s moist texture.
Next, we prepare our baking sheets. We line them with parchment paper or lightly grease with butter to prevent sticking without affecting crisping. Using a silicone baking mat is another excellent choice to promote even heat distribution.
Proper preparation of baking surfaces helps our cookies bake into perfect shapes with golden edges and rich centers. We also place a cooling rack nearby to transfer the Ninja Bread as soon as it comes out of the oven, preserving texture and preventing sogginess.
Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to craft our flavorful Ninja Bread with perfect texture and festive appeal. Precise execution ensures delicious results every time.
Mixing the Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar
- Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients:
- ¾ cup molasses
- ½ cup melted unsalted butter (cooled)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring with a spatula until the dough starts to come together. The dough will be moist but firm enough to handle.
Kneading the Dough
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface.
- Knead gently for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth and cohesive, activating the gluten for that chewy texture.
- Shape the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Chilling firm ups the dough, enhancing flavor and preventing excessive spreading during baking.
Shaping the Ninja Bread Figures
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll out chilled dough to an even thickness of ¼ inch using a rolling pin.
- Use ninja-shaped cookie cutters or assorted festive shapes to cut the dough.
- Transfer cutouts carefully to the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 inch apart.
| Step | Specification | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Dough thickness | ¼ inch (6 mm) | Ensures even baking and texture |
| Oven temperature | 350°F (175°C) | Optimal for proper rise & bake |
| Cookie spacing | 1 inch (2.5 cm) | Prevents sticking, allows spreading |
Decorating Before Baking
- Lightly brush cookie surfaces with a beaten egg or milk to encourage a shiny finish.
- Add toppings like:
- Mini chocolate chips
- Colored sprinkles
- Edible glitter
- Small candy pieces
- Press toppings gently into the dough to secure them during baking.
- Proceed immediately to bake for 8–10 minutes or until edges are firm and centers set.
Baking Directions
Mastering the baking process is crucial for us to achieve the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive appearance in our Ninja Bread. Let’s walk through the essential steps to bake these delightful treats flawlessly.
Baking Time and Temperature
To bake our Ninja Bread to perfection, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature ensures even cooking without burning the edges or leaving the centers underdone.
Place the cut-out Ninja Bread shapes on a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper or lightly greased. Maintain at least 1 inch of space between each cookie to allow for slight expansion.
Bake the cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. The cookies should be firm around the edges but still slightly soft in the center. Overbaking can lead to a harder texture which we want to avoid for that characteristic chewy bite.
| Oven Temperature | Baking Time | Cookie Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| 350°F (175°C) | 8 – 10 minutes | ¼ inch (6 mm) |
Cooling the Ninja Bread
Once baked, transfer the Ninja Bread cookies directly from the oven to a cooling rack. This step is vital to avoid sogginess by allowing air to circulate around each cookie.
Let the cookies cool completely—about 15 to 20 minutes—before decorating or storing. Cooling solidifies the cookie structure and enhances the chewy texture we aim for.
If decorating, use royal icing or your choice of toppings after the cookies have cooled fully to ensure decorations set properly and do not melt or slide off.
Decorating and Finishing Touches
Mastering decorating and finishing touches elevates our Ninja Bread from tasty treats to visually stunning holiday delights. Let’s explore simple yet striking ways to enhance each piece for festive joy.
Icing Recipes
We rely on two essential icings to brighten our Ninja Bread: classic royal icing for detailed designs and quick glaze icing for a shiny finish.
| Icing Type | Ingredients | Preparation Steps | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Icing | 2 cups powdered sugar 2 tbsp meringue powder 1/3 cup warm water |
1. Whisk meringue powder with warm water until frothy. 2. Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing. 3. Whip until stiff peaks form (~5 min). |
Use immediately or cover with damp towel to prevent drying. |
| Quick Glaze Icing | 1 cup powdered sugar 2-3 tbsp milk 1/2 tsp vanilla extract |
1. Mix powdered sugar and vanilla. 2. Slowly stir in milk until smooth and pourable. 3. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar. |
Perfect for drizzling or dipping for shiny coatings. |
“For crisp edges and intricate designs, royal icing is ideal. For quick, glossy finishing, our glaze icing works wonders.“
We recommend piping icing with a fine-tipped bag or using a spoon for glaze. Let icing set at room temperature for 30-60 minutes for firm results before handling.
Adding Edible Decorations
Embellishing Ninja Bread boosts both appeal and flavor. We suggest these edible additions for eye-catching and festive decorations:
- Colored Sprinkles: Brights add fun pops of color and texture.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: Provide rich bursts of chocolatey goodness.
- Edible Glitter: Creates a magical shimmer perfect for holiday treats.
- Assorted Candies: Use jujubes, candy pearls, or small gumdrops for whimsy and variety.
Arrange decorations sparingly over fresh icing to ensure they adhere well without overpowering flavors.
Pro tip: Use small bowls or ramekins to organize decorations before starting. This keeps the process tidy and efficient.
By combining these colorful toppings with our carefully crafted icings, we create Ninja Bread masterpieces that taste as delightful as they look.
Storage Tips
Proper storage of our Ninja Bread ensures it maintains its delightful soft, chewy texture and rich flavor. Here are the best practices to keep our treats fresh and delicious:
Cooling Before Storing
Always allow the Ninja Bread to cool completely on a cooling rack before storing. This step prevents moisture buildup, which can lead to sogginess or mold.
Short-Term Storage
For up to 3 days, store the Ninja Bread in an airtight container at room temperature. We recommend placing a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and preserve decoration detail.
Long-Term Storage
To keep Ninja Bread fresh for up to 3 months, freezing is the best option. Follow these steps:
- Wrap each cookie individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped cookies in a sealed freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label with the date for easy tracking.
When ready to enjoy, thaw cookies at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours in their wrapping to retain moisture.
Reheating Tips
For fresh softness, warm thawed Ninja Bread in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5 minutes. This restores the chewy texture without drying out the cookies.
| Storage Method | Container Type | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room Temperature | Airtight container | 3 days | Use parchment paper between layers |
| Refrigeration | Airtight container | Up to 1 week | May slightly firm texture |
| Freezing | Wrapped + freezer-safe bag | Up to 3 months | Thaw wrapped at room temperature |
“Storing Ninja Bread properly preserves its festive flavor and texture, making every bite just as magical as the first.“
By following these storage tips, we keep our Ninja Bread as inviting and flavorful as when fresh from the oven, perfect for holiday sharing or gifting anytime.
Conclusion
Ninja Bread offers a fun and flavorful twist on traditional holiday baking that’s sure to bring joy to any occasion. With its perfect blend of spices and chewy texture, it’s a treat that’s both satisfying to make and delicious to share.
By following the simple steps and using the right tools, we can create beautiful and tasty Ninja Bread that stands out on any festive table. Whether for family fun or gifting, this recipe is a wonderful way to celebrate the season together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ninja Bread?
Ninja Bread is a fun twist on traditional gingerbread, featuring classic spices and a soft, chewy texture. It’s perfect for holiday baking, festive gatherings, or cozy nights with family.
What are the main ingredients in Ninja Bread?
Key ingredients include all-purpose flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar, molasses, melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract. These create the bread’s bold flavor and chewy texture.
What equipment do I need to bake Ninja Bread?
You’ll need mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, an electric mixer or whisk, a spatula, rolling pin, cookie cutters, baking sheets, a cooling rack, and small bowls for decorations.
How do I prepare the dough for Ninja Bread?
Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and whisk wet ingredients separately. Gradually combine and knead gently on a floured surface. Chill the dough for at least an hour for better flavor and texture.
What temperature and baking time are recommended for Ninja Bread?
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 8–10 minutes, leaving about 1 inch of space between them on the baking sheet to allow for expansion.
How should I decorate Ninja Bread cookies?
Use classic royal icing for detailed designs or quick glaze icing for a shiny finish. Add toppings like colored sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, edible glitter, or candies for festive flair.
How do I store Ninja Bread to keep it fresh?
Store completely cooled cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days with parchment paper between layers. For longer storage, freeze wrapped cookies properly.
Can Ninja Bread be frozen and reheated?
Yes, freeze wrapped cookies in an airtight container. To reheat, warm them slightly to restore softness and enjoy the fresh-baked texture and flavor.
Why chill the dough before baking?
Chilling prevents spreading during baking and enhances the flavor and texture of the Ninja Bread, ensuring the cookies hold their shape and remain chewy.
How long should Ninja Bread cool before decorating?
Cool the cookies on a rack for 15 to 20 minutes to set their structure and prevent icing or decorations from melting or sliding off.