Ginger-Orange Stars

Vegetarian
Ginger-Orange Stars
45 min.
42
70kcal

Suggestions


Introducing the delightful Ginger-Orange Stars, a celestial treat that marries the warm spice of ginger with the refreshing zest of orange. Perfect for any gathering, these cookies offer a festive touch to your table, making them an ideal antipasti or appetizer, snack, or starter. With just 70 calories per star, you can indulge guilt-free while enjoying their rich flavors!

The preparation process is as enjoyable as the delightful outcome, allowing you to unleash your creativity by cutting the dough into charming star shapes. This recipe yields a generous 42 servings, making it suitable for parties, family gatherings, or even a cozy evening with a cup of tea. The combination of ground spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves creates a warming aroma that fills your kitchen, inviting everyone to partake in the sweet anticipation of freshly baked cookies.

After a brief chill in the refrigerator, the dough is magically transformed into puffy, golden stars with a subtly crisp edge and a soft center. The final touch of icing adds a delightful sweetness and makes these cookies truly shine. Whether you are sharing them with loved ones or enjoying them solo, the Ginger-Orange Stars are bound to become a favorite in your holiday repertoire.

So roll up your sleeves, channel your inner baker, and let's create a batch of these enchanting star-shaped treats that will brighten up any occasion!

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cups flour 
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda 
  • large egg yolk 
  • 0.5 cup brown sugar packed ()
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 0.3 teaspoon ground cloves 
  • teaspoons ground ginger 
  • 0.3 teaspoon nutmeg 
  • 0.3 cup blackstrap molasses dark ()
  • tablespoon orange zest grated
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar ()
  • 0.3 teaspoon salt 
  • 0.5 cup butter unsalted room temperature (1 stick)
  • 0.5 teaspoon vanilla extract 
  • teaspoons water 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • baking sheet
  • baking paper
  • oven
  • whisk
  • hand mixer
  • ziploc bags
  • spatula
  • pastry bag

Directions

  1. Sift first 7 ingredients into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat butter in large bowl until fluffy.
  2. Add sugar and beat until well blended. Beat in molasses, egg yolk, orange peel, and vanilla.
  3. Add flour mixture and beat just until blended. Gather dough into ball. Divide into 4 pieces. Flatten each into disk. Wrap each in plastic and chill until cold and firm, at least 4 hours.
  4. Position racks in top third and bottom third of oven and preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  5. Roll out 1 piece of dough on lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thickness. Using 2 1/2- to 3-inch star-shaped cutter, cut out cookies.
  6. Transfer cookies to prepared sheets, spacing 1/2 inch apart (cookies spread very little). Gather scraps and reroll dough, cutting out more cookies.
  7. Bake cookies 5 minutes. Reverse baking sheets; bake until cookies are puffed and look slightly darker around edges, about 5 minutes longer. Cool cookies on sheets 2 minutes. Using thin metal spatula, transfer cookies to racks; cool. Repeat with remaining dough pieces.
  8. Sift 1 1/2 cups sugar into medium bowl.
  9. Add 5 teaspoons water and vanilla; whisk until smooth.
  10. Whisk in more sugar by tablespoonfuls, if necessary, until icing falls thickly off whisk. Spoon icing into pastry bag fitted with 1/16-inch plain round tip or resealable plastic bag (cut tip off bag). Pipe icing onto cookies.
  11. Let stand until icing is hard, at least 3 hours. (Can be made 2 days ahead. Store airtight between sheets of waxed paper.)

Nutrition Facts

Calories70kcal
Protein3.18%
Fat29.78%
Carbs67.04%

Properties

Glycemic Index
4.62
Glycemic Load
3.13
Inflammation Score
-1
Nutrition Score
1.2895652295455%

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:70.18kcal
3.51%
Fat:2.36g
3.62%
Saturated Fat:1.44g
9%
Carbohydrates:11.93g
3.98%
Net Carbohydrates:11.75g
4.27%
Sugar:8.26g
9.18%
Cholesterol:10.18mg
3.39%
Sodium:29.12mg
1.27%
Alcohol:0.02g
100%
Alcohol %:0.12%
100%
Protein:0.57g
1.13%
Manganese:0.11mg
5.55%
Selenium:2.24µg
3.2%
Vitamin B1:0.04mg
2.47%
Folate:8.94µg
2.23%
Iron:0.36mg
2%
Magnesium:6.47mg
1.62%
Vitamin B2:0.03mg
1.55%
Vitamin B3:0.3mg
1.49%
Vitamin A:74.17IU
1.48%
Potassium:40.72mg
1.16%
Source:Epicurious