# What You'll Need:
→ Gingerbread Cookies
01 - 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 tablespoon ground ginger
03 - 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
10 - 1 large egg
11 - 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses
12 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Royal Icing
13 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
14 - 2 tablespoons meringue powder
15 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water
16 - Food coloring gels (red, green, blue, yellow, as desired)
→ Decorations
17 - Assorted candies (mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, candy eyes, mini M&Ms, gumdrops, etc.)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt.
02 - In a large bowl, beat the unsalted butter and dark brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, molasses, and vanilla extract, mixing until well incorporated.
03 - Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Divide the dough in half, shape each portion into a flattened disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least one hour.
04 - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
05 - Roll the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to approximately 1/4 inch thickness. Use gingerbread people cookie cutters to cut shapes and arrange them on the prepared baking sheets.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the edges are set. Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheets for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
07 - Whisk together the powdered sugar and meringue powder. Gradually add water until reaching a piping consistency. Divide the icing and tint with food coloring as desired.
08 - Arrange the cooled cookies, bowls of colored royal icing, and assorted candies on a large serving board or platter.
09 - Invite participants to decorate their gingerbread people cookies using the icing and candies creatively.
