A Gingerbread Christmas: Our Favourite After-Swim Treat

There’s something comforting about stepping inside after a morning of splashing, paddling or swimming lessons. Wet towels in a heap, rosy cheeks, happy tiredness… and that quiet moment where everyone needs a warm, gentle pick-me-up.

In our home, that moment has always smelled like gingerbread.
Spices drifting through the kitchen. Butter melting into brown sugar. Little hands helping (and sneaking sprinkles). It’s a tradition that began long before Tyoub existed and one that feels even sweeter now that our brand is all about children, sunshine and the simple joys of water play.

Over the years we’ve tested many gingerbread recipes. Some turned out wonderfully. Others baked into one giant biscuit! But this recipe (the one we keep tucked in the family book) never fails. And it makes the perfect treat after swimming.

Traditional Swedish Gingerbread Recipe 

Ingredients

150g butter
150g brown sugar
⅔ cup golden syrup
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves
1 tbsp baking soda
1 egg
3 ½ cups plain flour

Method

Melt butter, sugar, syrup + spices.
Pour into a bowl and add baking soda.
Add beaten egg.
Stir in flour one cup at a time.
Roll into a ball, rest overnight.
Roll to 4mm, cut shapes, bake at 170°C for 8–10 mins.
Cool completely before decorating.

Farmor’s Kristyr Icing

1 cup icing sugar
½ egg white
1 tsp lemon juice
Whisk until smooth and glossy.
Tip: Make a small hole before baking if you want to hang your gingerbread on the tree! 🎄