# Ingredient list:
→ Gingerbread Cookies
01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Royal Icing
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
15 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water
16 - Food coloring gels (red, green, blue, yellow, as desired)
→ Decorations
17 - Assorted candies including mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops
# Cooking steps:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
02 - In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter with dark brown sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
03 - Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, shape each into a disk, wrap with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
04 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to create shapes, then transfer to prepared baking sheets.
05 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are set. Remove from oven and cool for 5 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
06 - In a bowl, whisk powdered sugar together with meringue powder. Gradually add water to achieve a smooth piping consistency. Divide the icing into separate bowls and tint each with desired food color gels.
07 - Arrange cooled gingerbread cookies, bowls of colored royal icing, and assorted candies on a large board or platter for decorating.
08 - Encourage participants to decorate their gingerbread figures using the provided icing and candies.
