MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

     Title: Politically Correct: Gingerbread People
Categories: Cookies, Desserts, Snacks
     Yield: 42 Servings

     3 c  Flour
   1/2 ts Sea salt
     1 tb Baking soda
   3/4 c  Butter
     1 c  Brown sugar
   1/2 c  Molasses; NOT blackstrap
     1 lg Egg
     1 tb Fine grated fresh ginger
     1 tb Ground ginger
   1/2 ts Ground allspice
 1 1/2 ts Ground cinnamon
   1/2 ts Ground black pepper
   1/2 ts Ground cloves
   1/4 ts Ground cardamom

MMMMM----------------------ICING & ASSEMBLY---------------------------
     2    Egg whites
     2 ts Lemon juice
     2 c  Powdered sugar; sifted
          Dragees or other decorations
          - as desired

 In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and baking soda.

 In the bowl of a standing mixer, or in a large bowl using
 a hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar, 2 to 3 minutes.
 Mix in the molasses until incorporated, then the egg. Mix
 in the grated and ground ginger, allspice, cinnamon,
 pepper, cloves and cardamom until combined. Wrap the dough
 in plastic and chill for at least two hours -- and up to
 one week.

 Heat the oven to 375 F/190 C. Take half of the dough and
 roll out on a floured work surface to slightly less than
 one-fourth inch. Using cookie cutters in the desired
 shape, cut out the dough and place the shapes on a cookie
 tray lined with parchment, about 1 inch apart. Bake about
 10 minutes, or until the edges of the cookies begin to
 color slightly. Do not over-bake. Cool cookies thoroughly
 on racks before frosting.

 ROYAL ICING AND ASSEMBLY: Place the egg whites and lemon
 juice in the bowl of a standing mixer (or in a mixing
 bowl, if using a hand mixer) and mix until combined.

 Gradually add in the sugar, mixing until well combined.
 Pipe onto cookies with a piping bag (remember to cover the
 unused portion of the icing with plastic wrap to prevent
 drying out). Garnish the cookies as desired with
 decorations, then dry at room temperature until the icing
 is hardened.

 Store in airtight containers for up to 3 weeks at room
 temperature.

 Recipe by Amy Scattergood.

 From: http://www.latimes.com

 Uncle Dirty Dave's Archives

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