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Gingerbread Man Cookies

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Equipment Needed

• cookie cutters –  circle, gingerbread man, and mini reindeer
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• large glass mixing bowl
• 4 shallow bowls
• cutting board
• rolling pin
• parchment paper
• spatula
• cookie sheet
• wire cooling rack

Ingredients

Cookie Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup soft unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg

Icing Ingredients

• 4 egg whites
• 2 cups powder sugar
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp vanilla

Instructions

Cookie Instructions

Cream the soft butter with the sugar until the combination is smooth not grainy to the touch in a mixing bowl.

Add eggs and continue to mix.

Add the vanilla and continue mixing.

Sift the four, baking soda, and salt together.

Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.

Continue mixing to make sure all ingredients are thoroughly blended.

Make the dough into a ball, wrap it in cling wrap completely covering the entire dough ball.

Put in the refrigerator for about 6 hours or overnight. Check to see if the dough is firm.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Pull the cookie dough out of the refrigerator and sit it out to soften up a bit.

Put flour out on the cutting board, rub flour on the rolling pin, and work some flour into the batter. (if needed).

Roll the dough out on the cutting board and using the cookie cutter begin to make the cookies.

Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Using a metal spatula move the cut cookies to the parchment lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 325 degrees for 8 minutes. Check to see if the cookies are thoroughly baked.

Take the cookies off of the cookie sheet and put on a wire rack to cool completely. (About 10 minutes).

Icing Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl mixing on medium speed for 4 minutes. (except the food coloring)

If icing is not stiff enough add 1/4 cup powder sugar.

Divide the icing into 4 equal bowls.

Add red food gel to the first bowl of icing.

Add several drops of brown to the second bowl of icing.

The icing in the third bowl remains white.

Using 3 number #2 tips fitted onto piping bags, scoop some icing into each bag.

Thin out the brown icing left in the bowl using a tsp of water.

Pipe an edge using the brown icing around the gingerbread man.

Fill in with the thinner brown icing.

Let dry for 2-3 hours.

Decorate the gingerbread man according to the picture.

Let dry for another 3 hours

Place the gingerbread man on the cookies as well as the mini reindeer on the cookie.

Let dry for 2 hours.

Serve.