When I was in Louisville, Kentucky recently I saw a set of Ninjabread cookie cutters and I am still kicking myself for not picking them up. I feel a Google search coming on!

What you need:

Cookies:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup light molasses
• 1 egg
• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

1. Combine butter, brown sugar, molasses in a large bowl and beat at low speed until fluffy.
2. Add remaining ingredients and continue to beat at low speed until well mixed.
3. Form a ball and refrigerate covered for four hours.

Preheat oven to 350° and grease a large cookie sheet.

1. Sprinkle flour on a clean, flat surface and roll out one half of dough to ¼” thick.
2. With cookie cutters, cut out cookies and place them one inch apart on cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 12 minutes.
4. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely and repeat with remaining dough.

Icing:

• 5 cups icing sugar
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• 4 egg whites
• Food coloring (optional)
• Raisins and candies (optional)
• Icing bag and/or paintbrush

1. Combine ingredients in a bowl and beat at low speed until just mixed, then turned blender to high and beat until stiff.
2. If you like, divide icing into separate bowls and add food coloring.
3. Decorate gingerbread cookies using an icing bag or paintbrush, and add details with raisins or candies.