Orange Spiced Gingerbread Cookies

daisygrl64's Note:

Traditional cut-out gingerbread cookies are spiced with grated orange peel for a subtle new taste sensation. Makes 4 dozen gingerbread cookies. Land-o-Lakes Cookbook.

• Total Time: 2 hrs 21 mins
• Prep Time: 2 hrs 6 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 4 dozen

Cookies

• 1⁄3; cup brown sugar , firmly packed
• 1⁄3; cup butter , softened
• 2⁄3; cup light molasses
• 1 egg
• 2 teaspoons orange peel , grated
• 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt

Frosting

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup butter , softened
• 2 -3 tablespoons milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. in large mixer bowl combine brown sugar, 1/3 cup butter, molasses, egg and orange peel. beat at medium speed scraping bowl often until smooth and creamy.
2. add remaining cookie ingredients, reduce speed to low. continue beating scraping bowl often until well mixed.
3. cover refrigarate at least 2 hours.
4. heat oven to 375*F.
5. roll out dough 1/2 at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigarated), on well floured surface to 1/4inch thickness.
6. cut into 3 to 4 cookie cutters.
7. place 1inch apart on greased cookie sheet.
8. bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.
9. cool completely.
10. in small mixer bowl combine all frosting ingredients, beat at low speed, craping bowl often until fluffy.
11. if desired color frosting with food coloring.
12. decorate cookies with frosting.