Trader Joe’s Really Big Gingerbread Man Kit, reviewed

It is fun to make and decorate gingerbread men around the Christmas holidays. For some, the baking is the best part. For others, it is the decorating. If you fall into this latter category – or have some kids around your house during the holidays that need something to do – you might want to pick up a Really Big Gingerbread Man Kit from Trader Joe’s. This kit includes one really big gingerbread man (no surprise, given the name of the product!) that is about 9 inches long, ready-made frosting for icing him and plenty of candies for decorating.

The gingerbread man came out easily in one piece and is a softer, slightly chewier type of gingerbread. This makes it less likely to break in the box, so you don’t have to worry that your man will call to pieces unless you’ve let something very heavy or sharp fall on him. I zapped the frosting in the microwave for a few seconds to warm it up, and was then able to pipe it on easily. I liked the m&m-like candies that came in the package, as well as the fact that they didn’t skimp on the candy decorations; you will definitely have leftover sprinkles and chocolate candies unless you really go crazy decorating your man!

The gingerbread itself has a nice spiciness to it, and a chewy texture. In all honesty, it is not my favorite consistency for gingerbread in terms of eating it (I like crisper men!), but it doesn’t taste bad at all – especially once the sweet frosting is in place. This is a kit that you primarily buy for the activity of decorating, not just for eating, and I think it’s perfect for that. The inexpensive kit (only $3.99) is a great stocking stuffer, as well as being a fun and low maintenance activity for a holiday afternoon. I still recommend baking a batch of your own if you want to eat the cookies, but I wouldn’t mind having a few more of these giant gingerbread men to play with during the holidays, either.