• prep: 1 hr
• cook: 24 hr
• total: 25 hr

servings:

• 1/4 cup vegetable shortening (trans-fat-free)
• 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsulfured molasses (not blackstrap)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (1-pound) box confectioners sugar
• 4 teaspoons powdered egg whites (not reconstituted) such as Just Whites
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Equipment: a pastry or flour-sack cloth and a cloth rolling-pin sleeve; decorative cookie cutters;a small offset spatula; pastry bags fitted with pastry tips

Click Here For Step-By-Step Instructions