Holiday Ginger Cutouts

Name: Holiday Ginger Cutouts
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: about 6 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening; 1 cup sugar; 1 egg; 1 cup molasses; 2 tablespoons white vinegar; 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1/2 teaspoon salt; Icing:; 4 cups confectioners' sugar; 2 tablespoons meringue powder; 1/2 cup warm water; Assorted colors of liquid food coloring; Round pastry tip #2, #3 or #4

Looking to get a little creative with your cookie decorating? Paint your own masterpiece on a ginger cookie canvas!—Joanne MacVey, Blue Grass, Iowa

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup warm water
Assorted colors of liquid food coloring
Round pastry tip #2, #3 or #4

Directions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses and vinegar; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness and cut into desired shapes. Place 1 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool.
For icing, stiff confectioners' sugar and meringue powder into a large bowl. Add water; beat on low speed until blended. Beat on high for 5-6 minutes or until soft peaks form. Place a damp paper towel over bowl and cover tightly until ready to use.
Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip. Fill bag with 1 cup icing. Outline each cookie with icing. Tint remaining icing with food coloring if desired. Add water, a few drops at a time, until mixture is thin enough to flow smoothly. Prepare additional pastry or plastic bags with thinned icing. Fill in cookies, letting icing flow up to the outline.
Let cookies dry at room temperature overnight. With food coloring and small new paintbrush, paint designs on dry icing. Store cookies in airtight containers.

Editor's Note

Meringue powder is available from Wilton Industries. Call 800-794-5866 or visit wilton.com.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 208 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 96mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Holiday Ginger Cutouts in Country Woman November/December 2000

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dimikimi

Oct 12, 2009

Actually used this recipe to make halloween cut outs but all the same.. Great cookie overall. Moist and chewy and everyone enjoyed them