Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients for the cookies:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt


Ingredients for the icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 to 2 T milk
Red and green food coloring, as desired


Variations: assorted sprinkles, dragees, etc.

Preparing the cookies:
Using a mixer on low speed, cream the brown sugar and butter in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in the eggs and molasses.

Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in another bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix with a spoon. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap; place in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1 or more cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Let the dough sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable.

Take about 1/2 cup dough at a time and roll on a floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Use cookie cutters to cut cookies into any shapes you want. Re-roll and cut out the scraps. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies to the prepared cookie sheets, leaving space between them. Refrigerate the cookies for 20 minutes, then bake until they just begin to brown at the edges, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool slightly, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely before decorating.


Preparing the icing:
Combine the confectioners' sugar and milk in a bowl. Leave white or divide among bowls and add food coloring. Decorate cookies with icing; use a pastry bag to pipe eyes, mouths, buttons and bow ties. Top with sprinkles or other candy decorations.