Gingerbread With Crunchy Topping Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Spray 9x5-inch or 8x4-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, beat all gingerbread ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally, until well mixed. Pour into pan.
• Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
• Meanwhile, in 1-quart saucepan, mix granulated sugar and cornstarch. Gradually stir in 1 1/4 cups water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Stir in egg yolk. Boil and stir 1 minute; remove from heat. Stir in lemon peel and lemon juice.
• Cool gingerbread 10 minutes; remove from pan. Serve warm or cool gingerbread with warm or cool lemon sauce.

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly, about 2 minutes. Beat in the molasses, egg and vinegar. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until easy to handle (dough will be sticky)., On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Cut with 4 in. cookie cutters dipped in flour. Using a floured spatula, place cookies 1 in. apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 5-6 minutes or until set. Remove to wire racks to cool., For icing, combine confectioners' sugar and milk in bowl. Spread over cooled cookies; let dry completely. If desired, combine paste food coloring and a few drops of water; using a fine brush or the blunt end of a wooden skewer, decorate cookies.