GINGERBREAD HOUSE COOKIES

Gingerbread House Cookies image

This is my favorite molasses cookie. I use the recipe not only to create little houses for Christmas but also to make bunnies for Easter and stars for the Fourth of July. -Karen Haen, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield 4 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup molasses
1 to 1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup water
Optional: Royal icing or frosting and food coloring of your choice

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in molasses and orange zest. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and spices; add to creamed mixture alternately with water, mixing well after each addition. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or until easy to handle. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 3-1/2-in. gingerbread house cookie cutter dipped in flour. If desired, create windows using very small cutters of various shapes. , Place 1 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. Use icing or frosting and food coloring to decorate cooled cookies as desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 127 calories, Fat 4g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 9mg cholesterol, Sodium 85mg sodium, Carbohydrate 20g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.