Holiday Gingerbread Cupcakes

Prep: 25 min
Bake: 20 min
Yield: 21 servings

Ingredients:

2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
2 egg whites
1 egg
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 cup molasses
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
2-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/3 cups reduced-fat whipped topping

Apple Gingerbread Cake

Delicious and easy. Add apples and a crumb topping to a packaged gingerbread cake mix for a speedy treat.


Ingredients:

1 (14.5 ounce) package gingerbread cake mix
1 1/4 cups water
1 egg
1 cup chopped, peeled apple
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons brown sugar


Directions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cake mix, water and egg until combined. Add apple; stir to combine. Pour into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Combine the pecans and brown sugar; sprinkle over the top.

2. Bake at 350 degrees F for 23-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Gingerbread Cookies

This is the simpliest and most delicious recipe for gingerbread cookies I have ever used. Try it and you're sure to get compliments from your friends, loving each bite of these gingerbread cookies.

Level: Easy

Ingredients:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 tablespoon baking powder


• 1 tablespoon ground ginger


• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg


• 1 teaspoon ground cloves


• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1 cup shortening, melted and cooled slightly


• 1 cup molasses


• 1 cup packed brown sugar


• 1/2 cup water


• 1 egg


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
1. Sift together the flour, baking powder, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon; set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together the shortening, molasses, brown sugar, water, egg, and vanilla until smooth. Gradually stir in the dry ingredients, until they are completely absorbed. Divide dough into 3 pieces, pat down to 1 1/2 inch thickness, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 1 inch apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. When the cookies are done, they will look dry, but still be soft to the touch. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on wire racks. When cool, the cookies can be frosted with the icing of your choice.

Makes 6 dozen cookies.