Gingerbread Cookies

recipe slightly adapted from Simply Recipes

makes about 2 dozen cookies

for the cookies:

• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses 

for the Royal Icing:

• 2 egg whites, raw or pasteurized 
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

 

To make the cookies:

In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

In an stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in the egg and molasses. Gradually add the flour mixture; combine on low speed. (Combine with  floured hands if you need to work the dough together).

Divide dough into thirds; wrap each third in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Before rolling out, let sit at room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes. If after refrigerating the dough feels too soft to roll out, work in a little more flour.

Place a dough third on a large piece of lightly floured parchment paper or wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Transfer the rolled out dough to the refrigerate again to chill for 5 to 10 minutes. This will make it easier to cut out the cookies. Use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes, or place a stencil over the dough and use a knife to cut into desired shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets. 

Bake at 350°F until crisp but not darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes and then use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate as desired.

To make the Royal Icing:

Beat the egg whites and lemon juice together, adding the sifted powder sugar until the mixture holds stiff peaks.

If the icing is too runny, add more powdered sugar until you get the desired consistency.

Once you make the royal icing, use quickly before it hardens. Fill a piping bag with the icing to pipe out into different shapes on the cookies. (Or use a plastic sandwich bag, with the tip of one corner of the bag cut off.) Keep the icing covered while you work with it or it will dry out.

Once the cookies are decorated, the surface of the royal icing will dry quickly, within 15 minutes. But the icing may still be soft inside. Let the decorated cookies sit at room temp for 12 hours for the icing to dry.