So we all know that this time of year means lots of parties with lots of yummy desserts and it's always hard to know what to bring. Gingerbread cookies are always a festive Christmas treat, but I actually prefer a soft cookie over the crunchy ones so I think these soft gingerbread cookies make the perfect sweet treat and they are really easy to whip up. I wanted to make them a little different so I did sandwiches with frosting in the middle, but they are also great with vanilla bean ice cream in the middle too! This recipe has hundreds of five star ratings so I knew it would be a good one when I tried it and I think any whipped cream frosting will work. Just make sure to make extra of these because they will go fast!!

THE BEST SOFT GINGERBREAD COOKIES

| INGREDIENTS |

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup molasses

4 tablespoons white sugar

| DIRECTIONS|

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium size bowl, mix together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses.

Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture.

Shape dough into 1" sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 4 tablespoons of sugar.

Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes in the preheated oven.

Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Once cookies are cool, put a spoonful of frosting in the middle of one cookie then place a second cookie on top and twist it around helping to spread the frosting evenly in the middle of the cookie sandwich.

original recipe from One Little Project

WHITE FROSTING

| INGREDIENTS |

1 1/2 cups butter, at room temperature

6 cups powdered sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 - 4 tablespoons milk

| DIRECTIONS |

In a large bowl [or in the bowl of a stand mixer], mix the butter until it is creamy and smooth. Mix in the powdered sugar, a little at a time, adding in the vanilla and 2 tablespoons of milk a little at a time too. If the frosting is too thick, add up to 2 tablespoons more milk until you achieve the thickness and texture you're looking for.