Mitten and Glove Cookies

[myfanwys-bos.livejournal.com]

Make mitten and glove shaped cookies using your children's hands to draw
around for the patterns !!


1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* Powdered-Sugar Frosting (below)

Beat shortening in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium
to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, baking soda, ginger,
cinnamon, and cloves; beat till combined. Beat in molasses and egg till
combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer on
medium speed, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Stir in any remaining
flour with a wooden spoon. Divide the dough into thirds. Cover and chill
about 3 hours or till dough is easy to handle. Meanwhile, draw around
children's hands on cardboard or heavy paper to make glove and mitten
shapes. Even out shapes and cut out. Set aside.

Roll one-third of the dough directly on a lightly greased cookie sheet to
1/4" thickness, using a floured rolling pin. Place patterns on dough,
leaving 3/4" between cookies. Cut around patterns with knife. Remove
excess dough. Bake cookies in a 375 degree oven for 5 to 6 minutes or
till cookies are set. Cool on cookie sheet 2 minutes. Remove cookies from
cookie sheet and cool on a wire rack. Cool completely. Repeat with
remaining dough, rerolling dough as necessary.

Decorate with Powdered-Sugar Frosting as desired. Makes about 18
depending on size of pattern.

* Powdered-Sugar Frosting: In a small mixing bowl stir together 2 cups
sifted powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk. Stir in additional milk,
1teaspoon at a time, till icing is smooth and of spreading consistency.
Divide into several portions; color each portion with a few drops of food
coloring. To thicken frosting for piping, stir in a little additional
powdered sugar.