Gingerbread Cookie Cutouts

MAKES: 21 to 24

The holidays are the perfect time to roll out some dough and have a good time with the family. One of the best ways to do that, is to make up these classic Gingerbread Cookie Cutouts! It's one of the most versatile holiday cookies, because the family can decorate them any way they like! It's a great family activity that's sure to bring holiday-special memories for years to come. Of course, it helps that they taste absolutely scrumptious too!

What You'll Need

1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup molasses
2 eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Royal Icing
1 pound confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
3 egg whites

What to Do

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together butter and brown sugar. Beat in molasses and eggs. In a medium bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, the baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves; beat flour mixture into molasses mixture. Gradually stir in remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.
Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Reroll scraps of dough and cut additional cookies.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until firm to the touch in center; cool 5 minutes then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
To make the Royal Icing, in a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners’ sugar and cream of tartar. With an electric mixer, beat in egg whites until combined. Beat 5 minutes with mixer on high speed, or until mixture is thick and stiff. Keep covered with a moist cloth until ready to decorate cookies.

Test Kitchen Tips

Place icing in a small resealable storage bag and cut off a tiny piece of bottom corner. Pipe icing onto cookies and make desired designs, or spread over cookies and decorate with colored sugars and candies.
For more Christmas Cookie recipes the family will love try our Christmas Tree Meringues, Frosty Peppermint Cookies, and Nonna's Shortcut Ricotta Cookies!
Love this Christmas cookie recipe? Tell us all about it in the comments below!