Recipe: Gingerbread Christmas Cookies

Ingredients: 

• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ⅔ tablespoons molasses
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 pieces of fresh ginger, grated
• Grated zest from 1 orange
• ½ teaspoon of finely ground black
• Sugar cookie icing for decorating

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix the butter, Brown sugar, and molasses with a hand mixer for about two minutes.  Add the egg and vanilla and beat until smooth.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Add the fresh ginger, orange zest, and black pepper until well blended. 

3. Divide the dough in half. Roll each piece in plastic wrap and chill until firm.

4. Preheat the oven to 175 °C (347°F) and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Meanwhile, roll out the dough to about 1/4" thick and cut out gingerbread men.

5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Let the cookies cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

6. Repeat the process with the remaining dough. Decorate with icing and sprinkle to taste.