GINGER CUTS RECIPES

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of the white sugar, molasses and coffee.
• Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, ground nutmeg, ground cloves and ground ginger. Add the flour mixture to the molasses mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate dough for 2 hours.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray baking sheets with non-stick cooking spray.
• Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. Cut with 3 or 4 inch sized cookie cutters. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Let cookies cool on wire racks.
• To Make Frosting: Combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups white sugar, the water and vinegar in a heavy saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover and cook over medium-high heat until a candy thermometer reads 234-240 degrees F (112-115 degrees C), softball stage. This should take about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove form the heat and stir in the marshmallows until smooth.
• In a clean bowl beat the egg whites until frothy. Gradually beat in the sugar/marshmallow mixture and continue beating, on high, for 7 to 8 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Frost the cooled cookies. Let the frosting harden before storing the cookies in an airtight container.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and eggs. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into the molasses mixture. Gradually stir in the remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.
• Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.
• In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners' sugar and cream of tartar. Blend in egg whites. Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat for about 5 minutes, or until mixture is thick and stiff. Keep covered with a moist cloth until ready to frost cookies.