Cocoa Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 2 tablespoons shortening
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.

2. 2

   Cream together butter, shortening, brown sugar and molasses in a large bowl.

3. 3

   Add egg; beat until light.

4. 4

   Ina separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, soda, ginger, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and cloves.

5. 5

   Blend into creamed mixture until smooth.

6. 6

   Refrigerate until firm.

7. 7

   Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Cut out with cookie cutters.

8. 8

   Place 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheets.

9. 9

   Bake 8-10 miinutes or until firm.

10. 10

    Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

11. 11

    Decorator Icing: Combine 4 c powdered sugar and 2 T milk in a large bowl. Mix until smooth. Add 1 tsp almond or lemon extract. Mix well. Add milk is necessary until smooth and glossy.