Frozen Snowflake Gingerbread Cookies

Name: Frozen Snowflake Gingerbread Cookies
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 16 cookies
Cuisine: Comfort Food Desserts, Comfort Food Recipes, Irish Desserts, Irish Recipes
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter, cubed; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup molasses; 2 teaspoons white vinegar; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; ROYAL ICING:; 1-3/4 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar; 4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder; 2 to 3 tablespoons warm water; Blue and Violet paste food coloring; FONDANT:; 2 teaspoons water; 3-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows; 2 tablespoons shortening; 2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted; Additional confectioners' sugar for dusting; Coarse sugar and luster dust, optional

These snowflake cookies will melt in your mouth as soon as they hit your tongue. Experiment with your favorite colors and give your cookie trays an unexpected twist. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
ROYAL ICING:
1-3/4 to 2 cups confectioners' sugar
4-1/2 teaspoons meringue powder
2 to 3 tablespoons warm water
Blue and Violet paste food coloring
FONDANT:
2 teaspoons water
3-1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
2 tablespoons shortening
2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
Additional confectioners' sugar for dusting
Coarse sugar and luster dust, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, molasses and vinegar; bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; cool to lukewarm. Stir in egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt; stir into molasses mixture to form a soft dough.
Divide dough into thirds. Shape each portion into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until easy to handle.
On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with a floured 5-in. snowflake cookie cutter. Place on greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-9 minutes or until edges are firm. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
For icing, in a large bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, water and meringue powder; beat on low speed just until blended. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Divide in half; tint one portion light blue and the other light purple. Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.
Using pastry bags and small round tips, ice cookies. Let stand at room temperature until icing is dry and firm, several hours. If desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar while icing is still wet. Store in an airtight container. Save remaining icing in an airtight container.
For fondant, in a large microwave-safe bowl, combine water and marshmallows. Microwave on high for 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until completely melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds, about 30 seconds longer. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add shortening, beat until melted. Add confectioners' sugar, beat until combined.
Generously dust counter and hands with additional confectioners' sugar. Turn marshmallow mixture onto counter. Knead until fondant is smooth and pliable, but not sticky, dusting hands and counter again as needed, about 6 minutes.
Roll fondant to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with assorted snowflake-shaped cookie cutters. Adhere snowflakes to cookies with remaining icing. Let stand until set. If desired, brush with luster dust. Store in an airtight container.