Big Almond Orange Ginger Cookie Recipes

GINGERBREAD COOKIES WITH ORANGE-ALMOND ESSENCE

Steps:

• For the cookies: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until it is airy and creamy, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and molasses and beat for 1 minute. Scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula. Beat in the egg. Add the almond extract and orange zest and beat to combine.
• Add the flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt and turn the mixer on low. Allow to mix until the mixture comes together, about 1 minute.
• Form the mixture into 2 separate discs about 1-inch thick. Wrap each disc in plastic and store flat in the fridge for about 4 hours or up to overnight.
• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 2 baking sheets with nonstick spray.
• Roll out each disc between 2 sheets of parchment paper to about 1/4-inch thick. Cut each into shapes and place on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake the cookies, rotating the baking sheets and switching their positions halfway through, until the centers are barely set, 9 to 11 minutes. Let cool completely on the baking sheets on a rack.
• For the icing: Combine the powdered sugar and butter in a bowl and stir together with the lemon juice and half the milk. Add more milk as needed to achieve a pipeable consistency. Tint with food colorings as desired. Transfer to piping bags.
• Decorate each cookie as desired. Let set completely, about 30 minutes.