Orange Zest Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup margarine
• 1 extra large egg
• 2 tsps orange peel
• 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2/3 cup molasses

Directions

1. Combine molasses, brown sugar, butter and egg in a large bowl until creamy.
2. Grate an orange peel on fine side of the grater and add to the mixture. Add rest of ingredients and beat until well mixed.
3. Cover mixture and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.
4. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and grease cookie sheets.
5. Roll out half the dough onto floured surface to 1/4" thick (keep other half refrigerated). Cut out with desired cookie cutter shapes and place 1" apart on greased cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched. Let cool completely.
7. Note: decorate with basic frosting if desired.