Norwegian Spice Cookies

Ingredients:

3 C All-Purpose Flour
2 t Ground Cinnamon
2 t Ground Ginger
1 t Ground Cloves
1/2 t Ground Nutmeg
1/2 t Ground Cardamom
3/4 t Sea Salt
1 C Butter, room temperature
1 1/2 C Sugar
2 Large Eggs
1 t Vanilla Extract
1 Egg White (optional)
1 T Water (optional)

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom and salt. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar.

Add eggs, one at a time mixing in between, and add vanilla and mix several minutes until slightly fluffy. 

Mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

For cut-out Cookies: Cover and refrigerate dough for one hour before rolling out and cutting with cookie cutters.

For softer, round cookies: Skip refrigeration step. Roll into 1-inch balls.

For either shape, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place dough shapes or balls on parchment-lined cookie sheets. If desired, mix egg white and water to create egg wash and brush on tops of cookies. Bake 10-12 minutes or until slightly golden. Remove to cooling rack.

Serve with coffee or black tea.

* Adapted from http://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/norwegian-spice-cookies