Bake Like Royalty With the Royal Family’s Gingerbread Biscuits Recipe for the Holidays

The holidays are all about tradition, and few know this better than the British royal family. I for one love keeping up with the crown, from health updates to the buzz-worthy drama. But when I heard that Buckingham Palace publicly shared their famous gingerbread biscuits recipe, I knew I had to learn more. This isn’t just any cookie—it’s a seasonal staple dating back to Queen Victoria’s era, bringing a little royal flair to holiday celebrations. But what makes the royal family’s gingerbread biscuits recipe stand out? It’s a blend of warming spices and the perfect festive touch to your holiday cookie spread. Here’s how to recreate them at home and indulge like a Queen.

A history of gingerbread and the royals

The royal family’s love affair with gingerbread biscuits goes way back. These delicacies have graced Christmas tables at Buckingham Palace since Queen Victoria’s reign, when they were enjoyed as a charmingly spiced accompaniment to tea. And before that, Queen Elizabeth I has been credited with creating “gingerbread men.” Over the years, the recipe has been refined by palace pastry chefs, but the heart of it remains unchanged: soft, flavorful biscuits with just the right kick of ginger.

Today’s version balances rich dark brown sugar, butter and an array of holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and, of course, ginger. It’s a recipe fit for kings and queens—and one you can recreate at home.

Life

Pastry Chef Gemma Stafford Offers 5 Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Baking

Whip up cookies, cakes, and pies with ease.

Tips for perfect royal gingerbread biscuits

Beyond their royal origins, gingerbread biscuits embody everything we love about the holiday season. I mean, who doesn’t want the aroma of ginger and spices in their kitchen? Here’s how to give them the “royal” touch, according to Buckingham Palace’s pastry chefs.

1. Let the dough rest

When it comes to these royal biscuits, patience is a virtue. “It’s always best to let the dough rest,” one pastry chef revealed, noting that overnight refrigeration helps lock in flavor and texture. The extra rest allows the spices to blend, making each bite more aromatic and richly spiced.

2. Chill before cutting shapes

To get those perfectly shaped biscuits Buckingham Palace is famous for, roll out the dough, cut and chill them in the freezer for an hour before baking. This helps the biscuits maintain their festive shapes during baking, say the royal pastry chefs, whether you’re crafting stars, trees or gingerbread people.

3. Go big on decoration

Once baked and cooled, these biscuits are a blank canvas for your holiday creativity. The royal pastry chefs suggest icing them before adding ribbons if you’re planning to use them as edible Christmas tree decorations. It’s a fun activity for kids (and adults) and adds a touch of regal charm to your tree.

Life

Decorating Pros Share Their Top Gingerbread House Ideas, Tricks and Tips

Plus, the pasta trick that makes your house unbreakable!

The royal family’s gingerbread biscuits recipe

Below is an adapted version of the official royal family recipe (with U.S. standard baking measurements) from Downton Abbey Cooks. While it’s the quickest baking venture (especially if you choose to let the dough rest overnight), the end result is worth it. Save this for a chilly, stuck-inside day.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cup unbleached flour
• 1 tsp. ginger ground
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. mixed spice
• ½ cup unsalted butter cut into cubes
• ½ cup dark brown soft sugar
• ¼ cup milk
• 2 Tbs. sugar for dusting
• Icing to decorate 

Directions:

• Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
• Yield: 10 biscuits

1. Sift together the flour and spices. Add the diced butter, and brown sugar and crumb together with your fingertips.
2. Add the milk to form a paste. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and allow to rest for a minimum of two hours (best left over night).
3. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Then, roll out to approximately an ⅛ of an inch (but depends on the size of the biscuit you wish to make), cut your desired shapes out and lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Sprinkle the biscuits with a little granulated sugar.
4. Place the tray in the freezer for an hour to help them hold their shape (optional). Then, bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Decorate with royal icing, if desired.

Icing your royal gingerbread biscuits

Deal of the Day

This Deep Conditioning Collagen Hair Mask for Has 4.9 Stars and Is 80% Off — Get It for $20! View Deal

While you can always serve your gingerbread biscuits “au natural,” a decorated cookie makes for a festive cookie. And don’t worry, icing your gingerbread biscuits doesn’t require fancy tools or ingredients—just a bit of creativity. You can opt for store bought icing, but I prefer a simple homemade version with three ingredients:

1. 1 cup powdered sugar
2. 1 to 2 Tbs. milk or water
3. A few drops of vanilla extract, for flavor

Mix everything in a bowl until it reaches a smooth, pipe-able consistency. If you want to jazz things up, stir in some food coloring. Then, transfer the icing to a zip-top bag, snip off a tiny corner with scissors and use it like a piping bag to decorate your biscuits. You can draw festive designs, outline the edges or flood the surface for a smooth finish. Let the icing dry completely before handling them (or you might end up with a colorful mess).