Gingerbread Cookies

DHalaby73 · December 2011

Get a head start by baking cookies up to four days ahead and storing in an airtight container. Frost one day before serving; after frosting is set, pack cookies in airtight containers between layers of wax paper. This dough also makes fine slice-and-bake cookies: Form the dough into two (8-inch) round logs, and chill; slice the chilled logs into 1/8-inch rounds, and bake at 350° for 8 minutes or just until set and golden.

YIELD: 4 dozen (serving size: 2 cookies)
COURSE: Desserts, Cookies
Ingredients

Cookies:
10 1/10 ounces all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 cups)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons molasses
1 large egg
Cooking spray
Icing:
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 tablespoon water
Preparation

1. To prepare cookies, weigh or lightly spoon flour into measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, ginger, and next 5 ingredients (through nutmeg) in a bowl; stir with a whisk. Combine brown sugar, butter, and molasses in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed 2 minutes. Add egg; beat well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed until well blended. Divide dough in half (dough will be sticky). Gently press dough into a 4-inch circle on heavy-duty plastic wrap. Cover with additional plastic wrap; chill 1 1/2 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 350°.

3. Roll each portion of dough to a 1/8-inch thickness on a floured work surface; cut with a 3-inch gingerbread man or woman cookie cutter to form 48 cookies. Place cookies 1 inch apart on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove cookies from baking sheet; cool completely on a wire rack.

4. To prepare the icing, combine sifted powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Spoon the mixture into a zip-top plastic bag. Snip a small hole off the corner of the bag. Pipe icing onto the cookies as desired.

Nutritional Information
Amount per serving
Calories: 102
Fat: 2.1g
Saturated fat: 1.3g
Monounsaturated fat: 0.6g
Polyunsaturated fat: 0.1g
Protein: 1.4g
Carbohydrate: 19.4g
Fiber: 0.4g
Cholesterol: 14mg
Iron: 0.8mg
Sodium: 67mg
Calcium: 18mg