Gingerbread Cutouts

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Looking for something to do on a rainy day? Bake up a batch of these cutouts using people and animal cookie cutters and let the kids decorate them.

Prep Time:
35 mins
Chill Time:
3 hrs
Bake Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Yield:
36 to 48 cookies

Ingredients

  • ½ cup shortening

  • ¼ cup butter, softened

  • ½ cup granulated sugar

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger

  • ½ teaspoon baking soda

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 1 egg

  • ½ cup molasses

  • 1 tablespoon cider vinegar

  • 3 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing or Royal Icing (optional)

  • Decorative candies (optional)

Powdered Sugar Icing

  • 1 cup sifted powdered sugar

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Royal Icing

  • 3 tablespoon meringue powder or powdered egg whites

  • 4 cup (1-pound box) confectioners sugar,

  • 6 tablespoon water

Directions

  1. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening and butter with a mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the next seven ingredients (through salt). Beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg, molasses, and vinegar. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion and cut out shapes, rerolling scraps as needed. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

  3. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. If desired, decorate cookies with Powdered Sugar Icing or Royal Icing and candies.

Powdered Sugar Icing

  1. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Stir in additional milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, to make drizzling consistency.

Royal Icing

  1. Beat together meringue powder or powdered egg whites, confectioners sugar, and water in bowl until peaks form, 10 minutes.

    Gingerbread Cutouts
    Emily VanSchmus

Gingerbread People Cutouts:

Prepare as directed, except roll dough until 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 4-1/2 to 6-inch people-shape cookie cutters. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Decorate as desired. Makes about 18 cookies.

To Store:

Place in layers separated by waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature up to 3 days or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months. Thaw cookies; if desired, decorate.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

151 Calories
7g Fat
21g Carbs
2g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Calories 151
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 13mg 4%
Sodium 92mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 2g

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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