MOLASSES HONEY GINGER COOKIES

Molasses Honey Ginger Cookies image

Yield Makes 3 dozen medium-sized cookies

Number Of Ingredients 19

1 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup honey
2 egg yolks
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 tablespoon melted butter
1 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Liquid food colorings and colored sugars

Steps:

1.Cream together the shortening, sugar, molasses, and honey in a bowl with an electric mixer. Add the egg yolks and mix well.
2.Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices; stir into the shortening mixture. Wrap the dough in plastic and chill well.
3.Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with Christmas tree and/or other holiday cookie cutters; transfer to lightly greased baking sheets.
4.Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies for 8 to 10 minutes. (Do not overbake.) Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets until they are firm, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
5.Beat confectioners' sugar, butter, milk, and vanilla until smooth, adding more sugar or milk as needed. If desired, divide icing among smaller bowls and tint with different food colorings. Decorate cookies with colored icings and sugars.