 

| Gingerbread Cookie Dough
2 3/4 cups of flour 1 teaspoon of ground ginger 3/4 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves 1/4 cup of solid vegetable shortening, melted 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, room temp 1/2 cup of sugar 1/2 cup of light unsulfured molasses 1 large egg |
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Sift flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves into a medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat shortening and butter in a large bowl until light. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Beat in molasses, then egg. Add dry ingredients. Using a spoon, stir until mixture forms dough (dough will be very soft). Divide dough into thirds. Gather each third into a ball; flatten into disks. Wrap each disk in plastic and refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours. Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Generously flour work surface and rolling pin. Place 1 dough disk on work surface (keep remaining dough refrigerated). Press rolling pin into dough several times to flatten slightly for easier rolling. Roll out dough to 1/8" to 1/4" thickness, frequently lifting and turning dough to prevent sticking. Use cookie cutters dipped in flour. Transfer cookies to an ungreased nonstick baking sheet, spacing 1/2" apart. Bake cookies for about 15 minutes or until done. Let cookies stand on sheet for one minute before removing with a metal spatula. Transfer to racks to cool completely. Continue as above with 2 other disks. Reserve scraps all together and combine. Flatten into a disk. Wrap with plastic and freeze for about 30 minutes or until firm. Repeat as above. Decorate with Powdered Sugar Icing |