French Canadian Frosted Maple Gingerbread Food

MOLASSES-FREE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• Cream together softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until color gets light.
• Beat in egg.
• In a separate bowl blend together all dry ingredients including spices.
• Blend into butter mixture until evenly mixed and ball of dough forms.
• If you want to use cookie cutters- form dough into a ball and then flatten slightly, wrap and chill.
• Preheat oven to 375°F once dough is chilled.
• Roll chilled dough out onto very lightly floured surface until about 1/8 inch thick and cut into the shape you covet.
• Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet at 375°F for about 6-9 minutes. These cookies will spread a little so try to keep them at least 1/2 inch apart on the cookie sheet.
• Cookies are done when just barely golden around the edges.
• To keep them crisp cool them on a wire rack.
• Once completely cool you can frost them or just eat them plain.
• NOTE: If you are going the easy route you can also roll dough into a log, wrap and chill and then just slice into circles and bake instead of using cookie cutters.

FRENCH CANADIAN FROSTED MAPLE GINGERBREAD

Steps:

• 1. Sift together the flour, soda, ginger and salt.
• 2. Beat the egg until it is foamy, then gradually beat in the maple syrup, sour cream, and butter.
• 3. Gradually add the dry ingredients, beating until well blended.
• 4. Pour into a greased and lightly floured 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch baking pan.
• 5. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 40 minutes, or until cake pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• 6. Remove from the oven and let it cool.
• 7. Combine all the frosting ingredients in a bowl, beat with an electric mixer until smooth, creamy and of spreading consistency.
• 8. Place the icing in big swirls on the cake and sprinkle to taste with chopped walnuts.