GINGERBREAD HOLIDAY CIRCUS COOKIES
Yields: approximately 8 dozen cookies
 
INGREDIENTS
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup packed dark-brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup unsulfured molasses
  • 1 2 lb bag of Ghirardelli white melting wafers
  • paramount crystals (optional)
  • red, white & green sprinkles
PREPARATION
  1. In a large bowl, gently whisk together flour, baking soda and baking powder. Set aside.
  2. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, pepper and salt on medium speed until fluffy.
  3. Add eggs and molasses and mix until incorporated. Mixture may look lumpy, but will come together once flour mixture is added.
  4. Carefully add flour mixture one cup at a time, mixing between additions until all is added and dough is formed. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for at least an hour.
  5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
  6. Break off manageable pieces of chilled dough and roll between two sheets of parchment paper until about ΒΌ inch thick. Peel off top layer of parchment paper and cut cookies to desired shapes.
  7. Carefully transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets and bake for 10-11 minutes until edges are crisp, but not darkened.
  8. Allow to cool completely before decorating.
TO DECORATE:
  1. In a microwave safe bowl, add one cup of white melting wafers with 1 tablespoon of paramount crystals (if using). Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between and repeating until smooth.
  2. Dip each cookie in chocolate, tap off excess and transfer to a sheet of parchment paper. Add sprinkles and allow to set until hardened.
  3. Heat additional chocolate as necessary and repeat until all cookies are decorated.
  4. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe by Bake Love Give at http://bakelovegive.com/gingerbread-holiday-circus-cookies/