- Level: Easy
- Yield: 5 dozen cookies
- Nutritional Analysis Per Serving (Serving Size: 1 of 60 servings)
Calories: 116
Total Fat: 4 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Carbohydrates: 19 g
Dietary Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 12 g
Protein: 1 g
Cholesterol: 3 mg
Sodium: 55 mg - Total: 4 hr 35 min (includes chilling and cooling times)
- Active: 45 min
Cookies:
- 1 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup molasses
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon ground ginger
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 to 5 cups sifted all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking sheets and rolling pin
Royal Icing:
- 3 large egg whites, room temperature (or equivalent meringue powder)
- 2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- Food color, for tinting, optional
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Switch to Cook Mode to keep your screen on while baking these festive treats!
- Make the dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the shortening and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Blend in molasses, vinegar, and egg on high speed for a smooth mix.
- Combine dry ingredients: Sift together ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, salt, and 4 cups flour in a separate bowl. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until a firm dough formsadd more flour if needed. Wrap and chill for 3 hours until firm.
- Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 375F. Lightly spray two baking sheets with nonstick spray.
- Roll and bake: Spray a rolling pin with nonstick spray and flour your surface. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thick, cut into fun shapes, and place 1 inch apart on sheets. Bake 5-6 minutes, cool 2 minutes on sheets, then transfer to a wire rack. Reroll scraps for more!
- Prepare icing: Beat egg whites with 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar. Add another 1/3 cup sugar and cream of tartar; beat 10 minutes. Stir in remaining sugar until thick and smooth. Tint with food coloring if desired.
- Decorate: Spread icing on cooled cookies for personalized gingerbread magic!
Pro tip: Cover the icing bowl and tips with a damp cloth to keep it fresh longer.
Food Safety Note: Raw or undercooked eggs may increase foodborne illness risk.
Adapted from "Georgia Cooking in an Oklahoma Kitchen" by Trisha Yearwood (Clarkson Potter, 2008). Courtesy of Trisha Yearwood. All rights reserved.
