Molasses Gingerbread Men Cookies with Royal Icing
Spiced molasses cookies cut into gingerbread men and decorated with royal icing.
Equipment
- Stand mixer or hand mixer
- Rolling Pin
- Gingerbread man cutter
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- piping bag
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 3 cup all purpose flour plus extra for rolling
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp fine salt
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 5 ½ tbsp unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup packed brown sugar light or dark
- 1 large egg at room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup light molasses not blackstrap
- 1 cup powdered sugar for the icing
- 2 tsp meringue powder for the icing
- 1 ½ tbsp water for the icing
Instructions
Cooking
- Whisk. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in a bowl.
- Cream. Beat the butter and brown sugar for 2 minutes until fluffy, then mix in the egg, vanilla, and molasses.
- Combine. Stir in the dry ingredients in four additions until a soft dough forms, then wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
- Cut. Roll the dough 1/8 inch thick on parchment and cut out the shapes.
- Bake. Bake at 375 degrees F for 12 to 14 minutes and cool completely on the trays.
- Ice. Beat the icing ingredients until thick and glossy, pipe on details, and let set.
Notes
Substitutions: Use pasteurized egg whites in place of meringue powder, or a simple powdered sugar and milk glaze.
Tips: Chill the dough well and roll between parchment to avoid extra flour.
Storage: Keep at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze undecorated cookies for up to 3 months.