Servings: 2 dozen cookies

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoons ground cloves
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup molasses
  • 2 teaspoons halal vanilla flavor
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • zest of 1 orange

Step 1

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a small bowl.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, using a hand mixer, beat butter, brown sugar, and egg.

Step 3

Add molasses, vanilla flavor, and zests to the mixture; blend well.

Step 4

Stir in dry ingredients gradually.

Step 5

Wrap dough in plastic and let it stand at room temperature for 3 to 6 hours.

Step 6

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Step 7

Dust countertop and rolling pin with flour. Roll dough ¼-inch thick.

Step 8

Cut out cookies using gingerbread man and woman cutters.

Step 9

Space cookies 1½ inches apart on the lined baking sheets. Bake each sheet 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 10

Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.

Step 11

Decorate cookies with black and white cookie icing. On the men, use white icing for the kufi (hat) and black for the eyes, smile, and beard. On the women, use white icing for the hijab (headscarf) and black for the eyes and smile. Enjoy!