GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH ORANGE-ALMOND ESSENCE

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Gingerbread Cookies with Orange-Almond Essence image

Provided by Geoffrey Zakarian

Categories     dessert

Time 6h5m

Yield 2 dozen cookies

Number Of Ingredients 18

2/3 cup (11 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, packed
2/3 cup molasses
1 large egg
1 teaspoon almond extract
Zest of 1 orange
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tablespoons ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking sheets
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup (5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Food colorings, for tinting
Decorations, including frostings, licorice strings, cinnamon candies such as Red Hots, sprinkles, almond slivers and jimmies

Steps:

  • For the cookies: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until it is airy and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Beat in the egg. Add the almond extract and orange zest and beat to combine.
  • Add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and turn the mixer on low. Allow to mix until the mixture comes together, about 1 minute.
  • Form the mixture into 2 separate discs about 1-inch thick. Wrap each disc in plastic and store flat in the fridge for about 4 hours or up to overnight.
  • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray.
  • Roll out each disc between 2 sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thick. Cut each into shapes and place on the prepared baking sheets.
  • Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets and switching their positions halfway through, until the centers are barely set, 9 to 11 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets on a rack.
  • For the icing: Combine the powdered sugar and butter in a bowl and stir together with the lemon juice and half the milk. Add more milk as needed to achieve a pipeable consistency. Tint with food colorings as desired. Transfer to piping bags.
  • Decorate each cookie as desired. Let set completely, about 30 minutes.

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