Name: Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies
Yield: About 2 dozen cookies
Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper; 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened; 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon shortening; 4 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled; 2 tablespoons molasses; 1 egg; White decorating icing (optional)

Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies

These delightful, low-carb cookies combine spicy gingerbread with rich chocolate for a combination that's sure to become a festive favorite. Use holiday-themed cookie cutters to create fun designs, or try our modified Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Drops recipe for bite-sized treats.

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Ingredients

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon finely ground black pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon shortening
4 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons molasses
1 egg
White decorating icing (optional)

Directions

Yield:
About 2 dozen cookies

Serving size:
1 cookie

Combine flour, cocoa, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and pepper in medium bowl. Beat butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and shortening in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Add chocolate; beat until blended. Add molasses and egg; beat until well blended.

Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into disc; wrap each disc tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Roll out 1 disc of dough between sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. Cut out shapes with 5-inch cookie cutters; place cutouts on ungreased cookie sheets. Refrigerate at least 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining dough.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool on cookie sheets 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. Decorate with icing, if desired.

Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Drops: Decrease flour to 1 3/4 cups. Shape 1 1/2 teaspoonfuls of dough into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten balls slightly. Do not refrigerate before baking. Bake as directed. Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies.

Calories: 59 calories, Carbohydrates: 8 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 9 mg, Sodium: 20 mg, Fiber: 1 g

Exchanges per serving: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat.