Gingerbread dough - country living

Yield: 66 cookies

Measure Ingredient
5 cups Unsifted all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons Ground ginger
½ teaspoon Ground cloves
¼ teaspoon Salt
1 cup Vegetable shortening or margarine
¾ cup Sugar
1 cup Light molasses

1 large egg

1. On waxed paper, combine flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and salt.

2. In large bowl, with electric mixer, beat shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Stir in flour mixture to make a stiff dough. Divide dough into thirds; wrap with plastic wrap.

Refrigerate at least 1 flour or up to 3 days before using.

3. Heat oven to 350'F. For cut-out cookies, cover 2 or 3 large baking sheets with aluminum foil or baking parchment paper. If making cookie molds, prepare molds following manufacturer's directions.

4. For cut cookies, on prepared sheet, roll out cookie dough, one third at a time, to a 14-by 11-inch rectangle, about ⅛-inch thick.

Using patterns as a guide or cookie cutters, cut out as many pieces as possible, leaving ½ inch between pieces. Lift off dough trimmings and reserve to roll out later. If hanging cookies, make holes in cookies using a straw or skewer.

5. For molded cookies, take a piece of dough and press it firmly and evenly into prepared mold. Using rolling pin, roll over dough to fill mold evenly. Using a sawing motion with a sharp knife trim the back of cookie so it is flush with the mold. Unmold cookie mold onto prepared sheet following manufacturer's directions.

6. Bake small gingerbread pieces 8 to 10 minutes, 12 to 15 minutes for large pieces, or 15 to 20 minutes for the molds. Cookies should be firm and golden brown. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool completely before decorat- ing. Store in airtight containers.

MAKES THREE 14 BY 1 1-INCH RECTANGLES OF GINGERBREAD OR ABOUT SIXTY-SIX (3-INCH)COOKIES Country Living/Dec/91 Scanned & fixed by DP and GG

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