THE perfect Christmas treat will get you feeling festive! Make your Christmas cookie exchange with gingerbread cookies so save the cookies for Santa and treat yourself to one of these other sweet and spiced gingerbread desserts.
Allrecipes.com has a simple, easy to make gingerbread cookies for you and your guests this festive season.
Ingredients
* 6 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1 tablespoon ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1 teaspoon ground cloves
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly
* 1 cup molasses
* 1 cup packed brown sugar
* ½ cup water
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
* Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.
* In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into three pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least three hours.
* Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies one inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
* Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven.
When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch.
Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks.
When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.
