Snappy, Spicy, Scary Cookies!

These are inspired by Martha... of course, but for some reason I used a different recipe that was wayyy too spicy, like leave your tongue numb or your throat burning. I was quite upset with it and mixed a few things here and there. So I here is my edited version of these spicy Halloween (ginger-snappy) cookies.

Spice Cookies

3/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
2 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
chocolate chips (optional, but necessary in our house :)

1. Beat sugar & butter together until creamed.
2. Beat in egg & molasses. 
3. Add dry ingredients until combined.
4. Refridgerate for at least 30 min. 
5. Roll into 1" balls and place on ungreased pan.
6. Bake for 8-10 min in 350º.
-----
Royal Icing

2 egg whites
2 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon
3 c. of conf. sugar
food coloring

1. Whip up egg whites and lemon juice until combined.
2. Slowly add in conf. sugar and mix until shiny and lump-less. :)
3. Add food coloring.

For really pretty royal icing, make a thicker mixture first and outline the cookie and draw the face.
After that, thin out your icing so that it is a little bit thinner, and then spread it in the negative space. It should run the the edges pretty without going over... I was a bit lazy and used the same icing for both parts... hence the un-perfected cookies :)