Wen Zientek-Sico's World's Best Gingerbread Cookies Christmas Baking with SusieJ

Measurements [metric]

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
• 3 1/4 cup flour

Royal Icing

• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• Either:
• 1 large egg white
• equivalent meringue powder and water
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/4 teaspoon orange extract
• paste or gel food coloring (optional)

In a large bowl cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy. Stir in the molasses and water. In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining ingredients. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, stirring constantly. Divide the dough in half and flatten to a round disk. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill overnight. (You can freeze half or all of it if desired for later use.)

The next day

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F and lightly grease your cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface roll out one of the disks, leaving the other chilled. Roll to a 1/4 inch thickness, adding more flour if needed. Cut the cookies into desired shapes and place about an inch apart on the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 6-10 minutes depending on the size of the cookies. Cookies should be firm but not browned. Reroll the scraps and continue to cut and bake until the dough is gone. Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for three minutes, then remove to wire racks to finish cooling. Frost if desired with royal icing and let dry for 24 hours. Store in airtight containers.

Royal Icing

Traditionally egg whites are used in making royal icing, but because of concerns about salmonella I have switched to using meringue powder. While more expensive than an egg white, the icing comes out perfect every time and there is no need to worry about letting children or the elderly enjoy the cookies. It is very important not to overbeat this icing as it can (and will) break down. You can use the icing white, or tint it using paste or food colors. Liquid food colors will make the icing too watery - unless you are using meringue powder and substitute some of the food coloring for the water.

In a large bowl beat the powdered sugar, egg white, cream of tartar, and orange extract on medium high speed for 5 minutes. Check and see if you can form peaks with a teaspoon. If you cannot, beat at a higher speed for a minute more and check again. Beat and check at thirty second intervals until the peaks will form. Tint icing with food coloring if desired.

• Category: Cookies
• Region: America
• Special diet: Nut-free