COCOA GINGERBREAD MEN

Cocoa Gingerbread Men image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories dessert

Time 4h15m

Yield about 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 14

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2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup molasses
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 cup confectioners' sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice

Steps:

Whisk the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, the ginger, cinnamon, cloves, allspice, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat the butter, molasses and brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until light in color, about 3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low; gradually add the flour mixture, beating until just combined. Divide the dough between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; shape into disks. Wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven; preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 disk at a time, roll out the dough on a floured surface until about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out shapes with 3-inch cookie cutters; arrange 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheets. Reroll the scraps once and cut out more cookies. Refrigerate the cookies until firm, about 15 minutes.
Bake, switching the pans halfway through, until the cookies are set, about 12 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
Make the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar, the remaining 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and the orange juice in a bowl. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner; pipe onto the cookies. Let set, 1 hour.