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Level
very easy
Prep Time
45 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Serves
about 6 dozen

Description

cooling 30 minutes per batch
freezes well

Ingredients

Cookies
3 ½ cups
unbleached all-purpose flour
525 g
4 tsp
ground ginger
4 tsp
ground cinnamon
1 tsp
ground cloves
½ tsp
ground nutmeg
2 tsp
baking soda
½ tsp
salt
3 tbsp
boiling water
45 ml
½ cup
unsalted butter, softened
115 g
¼ cup
vegetable oil
60 ml
½ cup
sugar
105 g
1
egg
½ cup
molasses
125 ml
Royal Icing
1 ½ cups
icing sugar
195 g
1
egg white
1 tsp
water
5 ml

Directions

Step 1
Cookies
In a bowl, combine the flour and spices. Set aside.
Step 2
In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda and salt in the boiling water.
Step 3
In another bowl, cream the butter, oil and sugar with an electric mixer. Add the egg and whisk until smooth. Add the baking soda mixture and the molasses. Mix well. With the machine running on low speed, stir in the flour mixture. Divide the dough in half.
Step 4
With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line two baking sheets with silicone mats or parchment paper.
Step 5
On a generously floured work surface, knead half of the dough at a time for 1 minute. Roll the dough out until ¼ inch (5 mm) thick. Cut out cookies with a cookie cutter. Arrange the cookies spaced out on the baking sheets. Reuse any dough scraps.
Step 6
Bake one sheet at a time for 5 to 6 minutes or until the cookies are golden. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, about 30 minutes.
Step 7
Royal Icing
In a bowl, whisk the icing sugar, egg white and water with an electric mixer on low speed for 2 minutes or until soft peaks form. Add a few drops of water or icing sugar as needed.
Step 8
Decorate the cooled cookies with the royal icing. The cookies will keep for 1 week in an airtight container at room temperature (see note).

Tips

Freezing these cookies will make them even softer and chewier, perfect for preparing in advance of the holiday season. Freeze them in airtight containers, separating each layer of cookies with a piece of parchment paper.