Chocolate Gingerbread Boys And Girls
Servings: about 2 1/2 dozen c
Ingredients
2 cans NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels (12-ounce package)
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
3 Tbs butter or margarine
3 Tbs granulated sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
12 oz prepared vanilla frosting (1 container)
Directions
MICROWAVE 1 1/2 cups morsels in medium, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute; stir. Microwave at additional 10- to 20-second intervals, stirring until smooth; cool to room temperature. |
COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt, ginger and cinnamon in medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in small mixer bowl until creamy; beat in molasses and melted chocolate. Gradually add flour mixture alternately with water, beating until smooth. Cover; refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm. |
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. |
ROLL half of dough to 1/4-inch thickness on floured surface with floured rolling pin. Cut dough into gingerbread boy and girl shapes using cookie cutters or a stencil. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough. |
BAKE for 5 to 6 minutes or until edges are set but centers are still slightly soft. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. |
PLACE remaining morsels in heavy-duty plastic bag. Microwave on HIGH (100%) power for 30 to 45 seconds; knead. Microwave for 10 seconds; knead until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag; squeeze to pipe chocolate. Decorate with piped frosting or icing. |