Spicy Ginger Cookies (Julepepparkakor)

By norsegal8

Scholars believe that the tradition of making animal-shaped cookies, breads and decorations during the holiday season dates back to pagan times when animals were slaughtered at harvest festivals to appease the gods. Poor people who had no animals to offer, substituted animal-shaped breads.
These cookies are nice and spicy. The dough is simple to make and can be cut into all the traditional shapes, such as pigs, people, stars and hearts.

Ingredients

• ICING:
• 2/3 cup (1 stick + 2 2/3 tablespoons) butter
• 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 cup boiling water
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1 egg white
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until blended. Add the cinnamon, ginger and cloves. In a separate bowl, combine the baking soda and boiling water, then add to the dough along with the flour. Mix to make a stiff dough. If necessary, add more water, one tablespoon at a time. Chill for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line several baking sheets with parchment paper.

Roll the dough out to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into cookies using cookie cutters - that are approximately 2 inches in diameter.

Place cookies on the prepared sheets and bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned.

To prepare the icing, combine the egg white, powdered sugar, and almond extract. Turn into a pastry bag with a fine tip, or into a cone made of waxed paper with the bottom snipped off to form a fine tip. Decorate cookies as desired.