Ingredients

1/4 cup vegetable shortening (trans-fat-free)

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup unsulfured molasses (not blackstrap)

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

For royal icing:

• 1 (1-pound) box confectioners sugar
• 4 teaspoons powdered egg whites (not reconstituted) such as Just Whites
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)

• Equipment: a pastry or flour-sack cloth and a cloth rolling-pin sleeve; decorative cookie cutters;a small offset spatula; pastry bags fitted with pastry tips

Description

View Full Recipe