Crystallized Ginger Gingerbread People

American Cookie

Ingredients

  • Cookies
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 3/4 tsp. fine salt
  • 1/4 tsp. ground white pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger* (about 3 oz.)
  • 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp. freshly grated lime or orange zest, optional
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup molasses
  • 1 large egg
  • Decorating Icing
  • 6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups confectioners' sugar
  • Pinch salt
  • 3/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 2 to 3 Tbsp. lime, orange or lemon juice, at room temperature
  • Crystallized ginger cut into 1/8-in. bits, optional

Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together first 8 ingredients; set aside.
2. Place crystallized ginger in a food processor with a metal blade. Pulse to coarsely chop. Add brown sugar and zest, and process until ginger is finely chopped and incorporated into the sugar.
3. Combine butter and sugar-ginger mixture in a bowl; cream together until light and fluffy. Add molasses; beat to combine. Add egg; beat to combine. Add dry ingredients, and mix to combine. Divide dough into 2 equal portions and drop onto large sheets of plastic wrap. Flatten into disks about 1-in. thick and wrap tightly. Refrigerate at least 2 hrs.
4. Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or butter the sheets. Roll out dough on a well-floured surface, 1 portion at a time (keep remaining dough refrigerated), to 1/8- to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut into shapes. Place 1 in. apart on baking sheets.
5. Bake 6 to 8 min. Cool cookies on pan for about 8 min. Transfer directly onto a wire rack to cool completely. Re-roll dough scraps and cut out more cookies.
6. To make icing, combine butter, sugar, salt and vanilla in a mixer bowl. Beat at low speed, gradually adding juice until the desired consistency. Decorate completely cooled cookies as desired using small bits of candied ginger for eyes and buttons.


*Crystallized ginger, also called candied ginger, can be found at specialty food markets or online at gingerpeople.com. Look for slices or chunks of crystallized ginger that are soft. Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies

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Submitted 10/19/06.
Source: American Dairy Farmers
Submitted By: b smith

Crystallized Ginger Gingerbread People