You know how there are just some people you implicitly trust to make certain decisions? My mom, for example. I’d trust her 100% to find the best bargain out there.
Katie is another person I have complete trust in. Her realm is recipes. Every recipe I’ve ever made from her blog has been fantastic. So when she posted a recipe for soft ginger cookies, I flat out stopped looking for the recipe I wanted to make. I knew hers would be perfect. It was!
These cookies mark my first time working with royal icing. The royal icing wasn’t nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. After a few ugly first cookies (I baked up the scraps left from my cut outs for practice), I was ready to try the real deal. They definitely aren’t perfectly piped, but I’d say I did a pretty decent job for my first shot!
Soft and Spicy Ginger Cookies
seen on Good Things Catered
adapted from allrecipes
printer-friendly recipe
Ingredients:
For cookies:
1 c. unsalted butter
1 c. sugar
1 c. molasses
1 egg
4 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. freshly-ground nutmeg
For royal icing:
4 c. (1 lb.) confectioners’ sugar
3 TBSP meringue powder
4-6 TBSP warm water, depending on humidity of where you live
Directions:
1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy, approximately four minutes. Stir in molasses and egg.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg. Blend into the molasses mixture until smooth.
3. Cover, and chill for at least one hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness.
5. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until they hold their shape without being too firm.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes on pan. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool.
8. To make royal icing, place confectioners’ sugar, meringue powder, and 4 TBSP water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beginning on low speed, mix ingredients. Add additional water, one TBSP at a time, until icing reaches desired consistency.
9. Turn mixer to medium-low and run for 7-10 minutes, until the sheen comes off the icing.
10. Because royal icing dries very quickly, immediately place any unused icing in a tightly sealed storage container with a layer of plastic wrap directly on the icing. Keep in the refrigerator until use.
One year ago: gumdrop cookies
They look so yummy and pretty! I've never used royal icing before either…I seriously doubt my first attempt will turn out as pretty as yours did, though!-Amywww.singforyoursupperblog.com
Could you make this recipe as drop cookies instead of cutouts?? How long do you think I would have to bake them for using a standard cookie scoop??
oh pretty! i think you did a great job for your first try with royal icing!
Yum, I love ginger cookies. Great decorating job!
I will star this and hopefully find some time to make them. Yum!
Autumn, you could definitely make these as drops. I'd start at baking for ten minutes, then check. I suspect they'd need around twelve minutes, depending on how soft or crunchy you want them to be. Hope that helps!
Those look beautiful, daughter. I am so proud of you. Although, I am not surprised they turned out so well; you are a very talented cook! I can't wait to try these – but then again, maybe you could just make another batch to share with your mom. Love ya!
These look wonderful! Super cute!
You did a fantastic job with the royal! They look beautiful!
Kelsey – what are you talking about "not perfect"??? Those look absolutely fantastic! 🙂