How to Make Decorative Gingerbread Cookies

This is a fun, tasty treat for the holiday season. You can include the kids in this Christmas tradition by painting the gingerbread cutouts with food coloring.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup melted butter
• 2 T molasses
• 2 tsp ginger
• 2 tsp cloves
• 3 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 1/2 cup flour
• cookie cutters
• rolling pin
• mixing bowl and spoon
• 2 egg whites
• 2 1/4 powdered sugar
• assorted food colors - for cake decorating
• thin brushes

1. Combine 1/3 cup sugar, 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2/3 cup melted butter and 2 T molasses in mixing bowl and stir well.

2. 
   Different spices add that special taste.

   Add 2 tsp ginger, 2 tsp cloves, 3 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 cup water, and 2 1/2 cup flour. Stir well.

3. 
   Refrigerating the dough makes it easier to handle.

   Form the dough into 3 flat balls and cover them with plastic wrap. Refrigerate the dough for 2 hours. Cold dough is easier to handle.

4. 
   Allow space between your cut outs to bake evenly.

   Sprinkle the table sparingly with flour and roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Use flour sparingly to keep the dough from sticking to the table. Cut out shapes with your cookie cutters. Place on a baking sheet. Be sure to allow a minimum 1/2" between the cookies to ensure uniform baking. Bake at 330 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
   Cool completely on wire racks.

5. 
   A uniform glaze forms the base fo the colors.

   To make the glaze for your cookie, beat 2 egg whites until foamy. Add in 2 1/4 cup powder sugar and stir until smooth. Glaze will be thin. Frost your cookies just up to the edge. Allow glaze to harden completely, usually 1-2 hours.

6. 
   Cake decorator food colors come in a variety of colors.

   I like the type of food coloring they use for cake decorating as they have more color choices and the color is more intense. I use a small amount of food coloring with a few drops of water. Use a thin brush to "paint" designs on the hardened glazed cookies.

7. 
   Lizzy enjoys decorating her cookie.

   You can also use food decorator markers which are easier for little hands to handle, but you are limited to four colors.

Tips & Warnings

• You can freeze your cookies after glazing and "paint" them later.
• A little food coloring goes a long way.