Molasses Cut-Out Cookies for Gingerbread Men
Description: Dive into the holiday spirit with these delightful Molasses Cut-Out Cookies, perfect for crafting festive gingerbread men that will bring joy to any gathering. This recipe, cherished for its rich molasses flavor, is an eggless delight, making it suitable for various dietary preferences. Not only are these cookies delicious, but the dough can also be conveniently frozen for several weeks, allowing you to prepare ahead for those busy holiday occasions. Additionally, you have the option to roll, cut out, and flash freeze the cookies, ensuring they’re ready to bake whenever you crave a taste of seasonal sweetness. Decorate your gingerbread men with a simple yet charming touch, using a confectioners’ sugar frosting piped from a small ziplock sandwich bag to create endearing smiles, eyes, and “mittens,” adding an extra layer of holiday cheer to your treats.
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Prep Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours and 12 minutes
Servings: 60 cookies
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 1 cup | Sugar |
| 1 cup | Molasses |
| 1 cup | Shortening |
| 3/4 cup | Hot water |
| 4-5 cups | Flour |
| 1 tsp | Cinnamon |
| 4 tsp | Baking soda |
| 2 tsp | Cream of tartar |
| 1/2 tsp | Ground ginger |
| 1/2 tsp | Allspice |
| 1/2 tsp | Clove |
Instructions:
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Cream Shortening and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the sugar and shortening, beating until light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
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Incorporate Molasses: Add the molasses to the mixture, beating until fully incorporated, allowing the rich flavor to infuse the dough with its warm sweetness.
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Add Hot Water: Pour in the hot water, stirring well to ensure all ingredients are evenly combined, creating a cohesive dough.
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Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cream of tartar, ground ginger, allspice, and clove into the mixture, gradually adding them one cup at a time. Stir diligently until all ingredients are thoroughly integrated, forming a homogeneous dough.
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Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, allowing it to firm up and become more manageable for rolling and cutting.
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Test Cookie: Preheat your oven to 375Β°F (190Β°C). Roll out a small portion of the dough and cut out a cookie round. Place it on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven. If the cookies spread out excessively during baking, incorporate a bit more flour into the dough and knead it in until the desired consistency is achieved.
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Roll Out the Dough: Divide the chilled dough into quarters, working with one portion at a time while keeping the remainder refrigerated. Rolling out smaller portions makes handling the dough easier and ensures consistent results.
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Cut Out Shapes: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to your desired thickness, using an equal mixture of confectioners’ sugar and flour to prevent sticking. Cut out gingerbread men shapes using cookie cutters, ensuring each one is crafted with care and attention to detail.
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Bake: Arrange the cut-out cookies on baking sheets lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven at 375Β°F (190Β°C) for approximately 12 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the cookies are set.
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Decorate: Once cooled, unleash your creativity and decorate your gingerbread men with a simple yet charming touch. Using a confectioners’ sugar frosting, piped from a small ziplock sandwich bag, add endearing smiles, eyes, and “mittens” to each cookie, infusing them with personality and holiday spirit.
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Serve and Enjoy: Gather your loved ones and indulge in the delightful sweetness of these Molasses Cut-Out Cookies for Gingerbread Men, savoring every festive bite and relishing in the joy of the holiday season.
Whether you’re baking these cookies as a cherished tradition or sharing them with friends and family, their irresistible flavor and adorable appearance are sure to spread happiness and warmth throughout your home during the most wonderful time of the year.
