Cookies
- 5 tbsp solid vegetable shortening
- 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup bittersweet chocolate
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
- 1/3 cup dark brown sugar
- 31/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1 tsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp ground ginger
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1. Make the cookies: In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the cocoa powder, ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the paddle, beat the softened butter with the shortening at medium speed until the mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds. Add the brown sugar and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.
2. Add the egg to the cookie batter and beat until incorporated. Beat in the molasses and then the melted bittersweet chocolate. Add the flour mixture in 3 batches, beating between additions. Divide the dough into 3 equal parts. Shape each part into a disk, then wrap each one in plastic wrap and refrigerate the cookie dough until chilled, about 2 hours.
3. Preheat the oven to 350°. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out 1 disk of dough 1/4 inch thick. Using 4- to 5-inch cookie cutters, cut the dough into shapes and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Re-roll the dough scraps and cut out more cookies.
4. Bake the cookies for about 7 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking until the tops are dry. Let the cookies cool on the pans for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely. Repeat the process with the remaining dough.
Icing
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 large egg white
- 11/4 cup large eggs
5. Make the icing: In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar with the egg white and lemon juice and whisk until the icing is completely smooth.
6. Scrape the Mascarpone Filling into a piping bag fitted with a medium tip. Turn half of the gingerbread cookies flat side up and pipe a thin layer of filling over the cookies. Top with the remaining cookies, flat side down.
7. Scrape the icing into a piping bag fitted with a very small tip. Decorate the cookies as desired. Let stand until the icing dries, about 30 minutes.
