Delightful Gingerbread Cookies with Creamy Frosting

Ingredients

• For making delicious cookies, you will need:
• 2 ¼ cups of versatile all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of aromatic ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda for that perfect rise
• ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt for a touch of saltiness
• ½ teaspoon of flavorful ground allspice
• ¼ teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon of warm ground cloves
• ½ cup of rich brown sugar
• ½ cup of Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag for a healthier sweetness
• ⅓ cup of unsulfured molasses for depth of flavor
• ¼ cup of smooth applesauce
• 1 piece of fresh ginger (1 inch), peeled and finely grated
• 1 large egg to bind everything together
• To prepare the frosting, you will need:
• 1 package (4 ounces) of cold cream cheese, cubed
• ½ stick of softened unsalted butter
• ¼ cup of sifted powdered sugar for a light sweetness
• ¼ cup of Stevia In The Raw® Bakers Bag for a lower-calorie option
• ½ teaspoon of fragrant vanilla essence

Step 1

Combine a variety of spices like cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves with flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In another bowl, mix brown sugar, stevia, molasses, applesauce, ginger, and an egg until well combined. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, ensuring not to overmix. Chill the dough in the fridge for at least an hour to enhance the flavors.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of dough, rolling them into balls and placing them on the sheet with ample spacing. Lightly press down on the cookies with your palm before baking.

Step 3

Bake the cookies for 12 to 15 minutes until they are puffed up and firm. Allow them to cool completely before proceeding to the next step. To make the frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth in a large bowl or stand mixer. Gradually add butter while continuing to beat, then mix in powdered sugar, stevia, and vanilla until smooth.

Step 4

Spread the frosting on top of the cooled cookies using a small offset spatula for a delicious finishing touch.