Gingerbread Cookies

from Family Circle

Gingerbread Cookies
Servings: 66 Yield: 5-1/2 dozen 1-1/2-inch cookies Prep 15 mins Chill 2 hrs 15 mins Bake 350°F 12 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup light molasses
  • 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • Royal Icing (see recipe on www.parents.com)

Make It

1. Beat butter and sugar in bowl until creamy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, ginger and pepper in clean bowl. Stir into butter mixture. Divide dough in half; chill 2 hours.

2. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Roll out half of dough between sheets of plastic wrap to 3/16- to 1/4-inch thickness. Chill 10 minutes. Remove top sheet. Cut shapes with 1-1/2-inch cutters. Place cookies on ungreased baking sheets. Reroll scraps; cut. Repeat with remaining half of dough.

4. Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 11 to 12 minutes or until firm. Transfer cookies to wire racks to cool. Decorate with Royal Icing.

Royal Icing

Ingredients

  • 1 box (4 cups) sifted confectioners sugar
  • 3 tablespoons powdered egg whites
  • 6 - 8 tablespoons warm water

Make It

1. For thin icing for base coat, beat together: confectioners' sugar, sifted; powdered egg whites; 8 tablespoons warm water until the consistency of honey, about 6 minutes. Divide among small bowls, tint with food coloring. For thick icing for piping, repeat as above, but using 6 tablespoons warm water; beat until texture resembles sour cream.

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