Christmas Ginger Cookies with royal icing

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INGREDIENTS:

GINGER COOKIE ~
2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg, grated
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses 
1 egg 
pinch of salt


ROYAL ICING ~
1 1/4  cup icing sugar
2        tsps lime juice
2        egg whites
Food colouring (Optional)


DIRECTIONS:

1. In a bowl sift flour, baking powder, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg
2. In a mixer cream the butter, sugar, eggs and molasses until fully combined
3. Add the flour and mix, until dough forms
4. Immediately wrap and chill (2 hours at least)
5. Preheat oven to 350 F
6. Line baking trays with wax paper
7. Cut dough in half and roll out 2 sheets about 1/4" thick
8. Use floured cutters to cut out shapes in the dough
9. Line on baking sheets leaving 2" between each cookie
10. Bake 10-12 minutes
11. For Royal icing:
12. Beat egg whites with lime juice
13. Add icing sugar in stages until icing consistency
14. Colour batches of icing if desired.

NOTE: Use icing immediately because it hardens quickly.

See yuh layta Mon!