Sugared Soft Ginger Bars

Yield: 48 bars

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 egg
3 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3 tablespoons coarse decorator sugar or
    granulated sugar, for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch jellyroll pan.

Combine 1 1/4 cups sugar and butter in a large mixer bowl. Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg, molasses and vanilla extract. Continue to beat, scraping bowl often, until creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.

Reduce speed to low; add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, salt and cloves. Continue to beat, scraping bowl often, until well-mixed, 1 to 2 minutes.

Press dough into pan. Sprinkle decorator sugar on top. Bake 16 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool completely. Cut into desired shapes with knife or cookie cutters.

Start to finish: 30 minutes.

PER SERVING: 88 calories; 4g fat (41 percent of calories from fat); 2.5g saturated fat; 15mg cholesterol; 1g protein; 12g carbohydrate; 6g sugar; no fiber; 41mg sodium; 6mg calcium; 30mg potassium

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