Ginger spice Cookies

with Fancy Royal Icing 

Yield: 36 cookies

 

Ingredients and Method

Cookie:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground allspice

6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, softened

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 tbsp mild flavor molasses

1 large whole egg

1 tsp freshly grated ginger root, or 1/4 tsp ground ginger

1 tbsp finely chopped crystallized ginger

-Combine flour, baking soda, ground ginger, cinnamon, baking powder, salt and allspice in bowl; mix well- set aside

-Place butter, brown sugar and white sugar in bowl, beat at medium speed until creamy. Add molasses, egg and ginger root. 

-Add the mixture; beat at low speed until well mixed. Stir in the crystallized ginger. Cover: refrigerate at least l hour or until firm.

-Heat over to 350 degrees. Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets; flatten slightly with bottom of greased glass.

-Bake 9-11 minutes or until pupped and centers just begin to set.  Cool l minute on cookie sheet; remove to cooling rack. Cool completely.

Royal Icing:

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

4 tablespoons warm water (l05 to115 degrees F)

2 tablespoons meringue powder- available at a cake supply store.

1/2 tsp cream of tartar

Liquid food colors (various colors of your choice)

-Combine the powdered sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar in a mixing bowl- Beat at low speed until moistened. Beat at medium speed 1-3 minutes or until slightly thickened and glossy. ( if too thick ,add additional tablespoon of warm water)

-Spoon 1/2 cup icing into a small shallow bowl. (Keep remaining icing covered with damp paper towel) Place 2 to 3 drops food color in random pattern on icing. Swirl gently with knife to create marble effect. 

-Place waxed paper on a flat surface. Gently dip top of cookies into royal icing, letting excess drip onto the wax paper. Quickly turn cookie upright, place onto cooling rack. Let stand until icing is set.

-Repeat marbleizing and dipping process with 1/2 cup white icing, and 2 to 3 drops of different food colors- 

Chef's Note:

These cookies are not only beautiful to look at, they are all delicious!

 Here is the cookies on my Holiday Party Dessert Table

Enjoy, Chef Ed