The Most Wonderful Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 3cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¹⁄₂teaspoons baking powder
• ³⁄₄teaspoon baking soda
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon salt
• 1tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 ³⁄₄teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ¹⁄₄teaspoon ground cloves
• 6tablespoons unsalted butter
• ³⁄₄cup dark brown sugar
• 1large egg
• ¹⁄₂cup molasses
• 2teaspoons vanilla
• 1teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves until well blended.
2. In a large bowl (KitchenAid’s great for this) beat butter, brown sugar, and egg on medium speed until well blended.
3. Add molasses, vanilla, and lemon zest and continue to mix until well blended.
4. Gradually stir in dry ingredients until blended and smooth.
5. Divide dough in half and wrap each half in plastic and let stand at room temperature for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
6. Preheat oven to 375 deg. Prepare baking sheets by lining with parchment paper.
7. (Dough can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, but in this case it should be refrigerated. Return to room temp before using.) Preheat oven to 375°.
8. Grease or line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
9. Place 1 portion of the dough on a lightly floured surface.
10. Sprinkle flour over dough and rolling pin.
11. Roll dough to a scant 1/4-inch thick.
12. Use additional flour to avoid sticking.
13. Cut out cookies with desired cutter– the ginger bread man is our favorite of course.
14. Space cookies 1 1/2-inches apart.
15. Bake 1 sheet at a time for 7-10 minutes (the lower time will give you softer cookies– very good!).
16. Remove cookie sheet from oven and allow the cookies to stand until the cookies are firm enough to move to a wire rack.
17. After cookies are cool you may decorate them any way you like.
18. I usually brush them with a powdered sugar glaze when I am in a hurry, but they look wonderful decorated with Royal icing.