BEST GINGERBREAD MAN COOKIE RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• In large bowl, crumble cookie dough; stir in molasses. Add remaining ingredients; mix thoroughly with hands.(DO NOT EAT RAW COOKIE DOUGH AFTER COMBINING WITH FLOUR.)
• Divide dough in half; form into 2 disks, and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until thoroughly chilled.
• Heat oven to 375°F. On floured surface, roll 1 dough disk 1/4 inch thick. Cut with floured 2 1/2- to 3-inch gingerbread boy or girl cookie cutters. On ungreased cookie sheet, place cutouts 2 inches apart. Repeat for remaining dough, rerolling scraps as necessary.
• Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are set and light golden brown around edges. Cool on cookie sheet 3 minutes; remove to cooling rack to cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
• In a large bowl (KitchenAid's great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
• Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well blended.
• Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
• Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 deg. Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
• (Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but in this case it should be refrigerated. Return to room temp before using.) Preheat oven to 375°.
• Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
• Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
• Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.
• Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.
• Use additional flour to avoid sticking.
• Cut out cookies with desired cutter-- the ginger bread man is our favorite of course.
• Space cookies 1 1/2-inches apart.
• Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the lower time will give you softer cookies-- very good!).
• Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
• After cookies are cool you may decorate them any way you like.
• I usually brush them with a powdered sugar glaze when I am in a hurry, but they look wonderful decorated with Royal icing.