HOLIDAY GINGER CUTOUTS

Holiday Ginger Cutouts image

Looking to get a little creative with your cookie decorating? Paint your own masterpiece on a ginger cookie canvas!-Joanne MacVey, Blue Grass, Iowa

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 50m

Yield about 6 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 17

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 tablespoons white vinegar
4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
Icing:
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons meringue powder
1/2 cup warm water
Assorted colors of liquid food coloring
Round pastry tip #2, #3 or #4

Steps:

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses and vinegar; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight. , On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness and cut into desired shapes. Place 1 in. apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 7-9 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool. , For icing, stiff confectioners' sugar and meringue powder into a large bowl. Add water; beat on low speed until blended. Beat on high for 5-6 minutes or until soft peaks form. Place a damp paper towel over bowl and cover tightly until ready to use. , Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip. Fill bag with 1 cup icing. Outline each cookie with icing. Tint remaining icing with food coloring if desired. Add water, a few drops at a time, until mixture is thin enough to flow smoothly. Prepare additional pastry or plastic bags with thinned icing. Fill in cookies, letting icing flow up to the outline. , Let cookies dry at room temperature overnight. With food coloring and small new paintbrush, paint designs on dry icing. Store cookies in airtight containers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 208 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 6mg cholesterol, Sodium 96mg sodium, Carbohydrate 37g carbohydrate (24g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 2g protein.