Favorite Chewy Spice Cookies

Directions

Preheat oven to 375℉ (190℃).

For cookies, beat sugar, molasses, applesauce, milk, oil and rum flavoring in a large bowl until will-blended.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, ginger, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.

Add dry ingredients, one third at a time, to sugar mixture; stir until a soft dough forms.

Spray hands with cooking spray.

Shape teaspoon-size portions of dough into balls and flatten slightly with fingers. Or roll out to about 1/8-inch thick, then cut out with cookie cutters.

Place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lightly sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned.

Transfer cookies to a wire rack with waxed paper underneath to cool.

For icing, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; stir until smooth.

Ice cookies. Allow icing to harden. Store in an airtight container.