GINGERBREAD CUTOUTS #11

GINGERBREAD CUTOUTS #11 from Better Homes and Gardens 100 Best Cookies Periodical from 2010

I don't really like gingerbread but these are yummy!! I would make them again during holidays. I didn't cut them out and if you read this blog much you know that I just don't have the patience for rolling and cutting out dough, I rolled them into 1 inch balls and baked and frosted them-they made 40 cookies for me.

1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves (I didn't have this--oops, used 1/2 teaspoon allspice)
1 egg
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
Powdered sugar icing (Optional--very yummy)
Decorative candies (optional--I didn't roll these out so I didn't use any)

In a large bowl beat shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulates sugar, baking powder, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and cloves. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg, molasses and vinegar until combined. Beat in flour. Divide dough in half-cover and chill about 3 hours or til dough is easy to handle (I didn't do this because I didn't roll it out, I dropped 1 inch balls of dough onto parchment lined baking sheets).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large cookie sheet, set aside (I lined sheets with parchment paper). On a lightly floured surface, roll half of dough at a time until 1/8 inch thick. Using a 2 1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut out dough. Place cutouts 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets.

Bake in preheated oven 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack, cool. If desired decorate cookies with powdered sugar icing and candies. Makes 36 to 48 cookies (mine made 40 cookies).

Powdered Sugar Icing--In a small bowl stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 Tablespoon milk or orange juice and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in additional milk 1 teaspoon at a time to make an icing of drizzling consistency---very good icing.