by AdobeStock/Rostislav Sedlacek
2 hours 40 minutes
DURATION
10-12 minutes
COOK TIME
30 minutes
PREP TIME
9 dozen 3-inch cookies
SERVINGS
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup shortening
- 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
- 2/3 cup cold water
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 cups confectioner's sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- About 5 tablespoons half-and-half
Directions
- In large bowl, stir together brown sugar, shortening, molasses and cold water. Stir in remaining cookie ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.
- Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease cookie sheet; set aside. On floured surface, roll 1/4 dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut with floured gingerbread cutter or other favorite shaped cutter. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until no indentation remains when touched (for softer, chewier cookies, bake 8 to 10 minutes). Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Repeat with remaining dough. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
- In large bowl, stir together frosting ingredients until smooth and spreadable. Decorate cookies with frosting.
Bake and decorate these old fashioned gingerbread cookies with your family this winter. This simple gingerbread recipe bakes up soft or firm.
Any child needs to create — and eat! — gingerbread people at least once during her or his childhood. Making and decorating these playful cookies can be a great way to bond while you talk about things that matter — school, friends and whether gingerbread eyes should be icing drops or sprinkles.
