Ugly Sweater Cookies

Total Time Prep: 1 hour + chilling Bake: 10 min./batch + cooling
Yield about 5 dozen
Test Kitchen Approved
Perhaps the most amazing thing about Ugly Sweater Cookies is how cute they are. Try these classic gingerbreads on for size. —Christy Thelen, Kellogg, Iowa

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 3/4 cup molasses
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • ROYAL ICING:
  • 4-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 4 teaspoons meringue powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 to 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • Optional: Food coloring and assorted sprinkles

Directions

  1. Cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in egg and molasses. In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, salt and spices; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half; shape each into a disk. Cover and refrigerate until firm enough to roll, 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with floured 3-1/2-in. sweater-shaped cookie cutters. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake cookies until edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
  4. Place first 5 icing ingredients in a small bowl; beat on low speed just until blended. Beat on high until stiff peaks form, 4-5 minutes. Thin with cream to desired consistency. If desired, tint with food coloring.
  5. Pipe icing onto cookies and decorate as desired. (Keep unused icing covered at all times with a damp cloth. If necessary, beat again on high speed to restore texture.) Let cookies stand at room temperature several hours or until frosting is dry and firm.

Nutrition Facts

1 cookie: 113 calories, 2g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about Ugly Sweater Cookies is how cute they are. Try these classic gingerbreads on for size. —Christy Thelen, Kellogg, Iowa
Recipe Creator

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