Desserts:

Swedish Gingerbread Cookies

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Emphasize the happy holiday spirit with these whimsical, spice-filled cookies.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup molasses
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cold water
1 large egg
3 cups all-purpose flour

Instructions

Combine ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, cardamon, cloves and salt. Stir in butter. Add molasses and sugar; mix well. Stir in water and egg. Place flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour in molasses mixture. Gradually stir flour into molasses mixture until flour is completely incorporated. Knead dough lightly in bowl until a smooth ball forms. Shape dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 11x17-inch baking sheets. Divide dough into 8 pieces. On a floured surface, roll 1 piece to 1/8-inch thickness, keeping remaining dough chilled. Using a 2-1/2 inch holiday cookie cutter, cut dough into shapes; reserve trimmings. Transfer cookies to baking sheets, spacing 1-inch apart. Bake until browned 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat as directed with remaining dough and trimmings. Makes 10 dozen cookies.

Barbara Dunbar
Cambridge