GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH LEMON FROSTING

Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Frosting image

When I spread these spicy gingerbread rounds with my lemony cream cheese frosting, I knew I had a hit. Cardamom and allspice add a hint of chai tea flavor. -Aysha Schurman, Ammon, Idaho

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 35m

Yield about 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/4 cup molasses
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
FROSTING:
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350°. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in eggs and molasses. In another bowl, whisk the next 8 ingredients; gradually beat into creamed mixture., Shape into 1-in. balls; place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake until tops are cracked, 8-10 minutes. Cool 2 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients; beat until smooth. Frost cookies. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 100 calories, Fat 3g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 105mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.