THRIFTY THURSDAY

MORNING EVERYONE

Today is a day of not too much. If it warms up a bit I might use the leaf blower and get all of the needles of my decks from the windstorm a week or so ago. But it has to be a bit sunny and warmer for sure. Wanted to say that my sister-in-law has started a blog. Here is the blog address http://fromkarensgarden.blogspot.com/ so you should take a peek. I am sure that you will get some great ideas and thoughts from her as well...Well it is cookie day. I love gingerbread so I had to use this recipe for sure. You can use it to make gingerbread men, houses or sleighs. Let you imaginative take it away....If you do not have Christmas cookie cutters you can go to the dollar store or as I would do go to the thrift stores bring them home put them through the dishwasher or boil a kettle of water and put it in a bowl and let them sit in there and then wash them with soap and water. Use your tin cans that you got a few weeks ago or again hit the dollar store and pick up some tins there or even some boxes , just make sure you put your cookies in a zip lock bag or wax paper not just the box.







Gingerbread Cookies

6 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon ground ginger
1Tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup butter
1 cup molasses
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1. In a large bowl, gently stir together flour, baking powder, and all spices. Set aside.
2. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or other large bowl), beat butter until smooth. Add brown sugar, molasses, eggs and vanilla.
3. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients until they are fully incorporated.
4. Divide the dough into 3 pieces, and flatten into rounded disk (about 1 1/2 inches thick). Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. (very important)
5. When dough has chilled, preheat oven to 350*F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to desired thickness (1/4- 1/2 inch thick). Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters.

Place cookies at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (so they do not burn) If the dough is too sticky or soft to work with, put it in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes to firm up.
6. Bake for 9-12 minutes (depending on the thickness size of cookies). Cool slightly on cookie sheet, then move to a cooling rack to cool completely.
7. Frost with icing, if desired.
Royal Icing Recipe
Ingredients
4 egg whites
4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?
I have attached a video on how to make and pipe Royal Icing.

If you think this is to much of a challenge for you, you can buy tubes of icing in the baking section of the grocery store.

I have attached another photo of some boxes filled with goodies. How good does this look . For sure if you went to an open house with this you would be invited every year...

Here is your FRUGAL TIP for today
Place icing in a small plastic sandwich bag. Zip closed or fasten the top with a rubber band and cut a small hole into a corner on the bottom. Start real small try it then make it bigger if it is too small. It will be a challenge getting the icing out if you find that the hole is to big. By gently squeezing the bag, you can create piping, letters, numbers and designs on a cookie. For added effect, sprinkle on decorative sugar in different colors.

Cheers
Enjoy
Granny