Classic Gingerbread Cutouts

Ingredients

• 0.5 cups butter , softened
• 0.5 cups brown sugar
• 0.67 cups molasses
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour , divided
• 0.5 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons ground allspice
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cloves
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 pound confectioners' sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 3 eggs whites

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. 2

   In a large bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and eggs.

3. 3

   Combine 1 1/2 cups of the flour, baking soda, salt, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger; beat into molasses mixture. Gradually stir in remaining flour by hand to form a stiff dough.

4. 4

   Divide dough into 2 pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-inch thickness.

5. 5

   Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Place cookies 1-inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.

6. 6

   Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. 7

   In a medium bowl, sift together confectioners' sugar and cream of tartar. Blend in egg whites.

8. 8

   Using an electric mixer on high speed, beat for about 5 minutes, or until mixture is thick and stiff. Keep covered with a moist cloth until ready to frost cookies.

9. 9

   Decorate cooled cookies and enjoy!