Ginger Snap People

Prep time: 20 min   Cook time: 10 min   Serves: 60   Difficulty: Moderate

Recipe Details

Ingredients

2 cup(s) all-purpose flour
1 cup(s) whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 Tbsp ground ginger, or less to taste
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 pound(s) regular butter, softened (1 stick)
1 cup(s) packed brown sugar, dark-variety
1 large egg(s), beaten
1/2 cup(s) blackstrap molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 spray(s) cooking spray
1 Tbsp all-purpose flour, for rolling out dough
1 1/2 cup(s) powdered sugar
2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, or less to taste
2 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt and allspice; mix well and set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer on high speed, in a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, molasses and vanilla; beat until thoroughly combined.
3. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture to egg mixture, a little at a time, beating after each addition (dough will be stiff).
4. Divide dough into 2 equal-size balls and shape each into a rectangle; wrap each with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
5. Preheat oven to 375˚F. Coat 2 nonstick cookie sheets with cooking spray.
6. Unwrap dough and place on a lightly floured surface; let stand for about 15 to 20 minutes. Roll dough out to 1/4-inch thickness; cut cookies using a 3-inch gingerbread man cookie cutter. 
7. Place cookies on prepared cookie sheets and bake until crisp, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven to wire rack and let cool.
8. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, to make icing, combine powdered sugar with lemon juice and zest; decorate cookies as desired. Yields 1 cookie per serving.