Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies

I don't know what it is about ginger but it is one of my all time favorite flavors. There is nothing like the subtle heat of biting into a piece of crystalized ginger and my all time favorite tea is Lemon and Ginger, nothing makes me feel better than hot ginger tea with honey when it is cold and I am feeling stuffy. So, it's a cold overcast Saturday and decided to cook vegetable soup and decided these would really round off our Saturday.

Gingerbread and Lemon Sandwich Cookies (makes 7 dozen)

6 and one-third cups all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 Tbsp. ground ginger
1 Tbsp. ground allspice
1 Tbsp. ground cloves
1 and 1/2 tsp. fine salt
1 and 1/2 pounds butter (6 sticks) plus 6 Tbsp., divided, at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
3 Tbsp. vanilla extract
3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
6 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
6 Tbsp. lemon juice (first zest, then juice)
2 Tbsp. zest from
18-24 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, cloves, and salt; set aside. In a second large bowl, beat 2 and a quarter cups of butter and 2 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar with an electric mixer on low speed until pale and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add egg, vanilla, and molasses, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and beat until smooth. Divide dough between 6 large sheets of parchment paper and roll up snugly, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper, to make 8-inch logs. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 350°. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Place remaining granulated sugar in a shallow dish. Cut dough logs into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Dip the top of each in sugar and transfer to prepared baking sheets, spacing about 1 inch apart. Bake until just firm around the edges, about 10 minutes; let cool completely on a rack.

In a large bowl, beat remaining butter, confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and zest, and food coloring with an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. To assemble sandwiches, spread frosting onto half the cookies, then top with remaining cookies.

Note: Make the dough a day or two ahead when it suits your schedule, then cut and bake the cookies later when you have a free moment.