Spicy Applesauce Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/4 c brown sugar
1/4 c butter
1/4 c applesauce
1 egg
2 1/4 c flour
2 1/2 ts baking powder
1/2 ts salt
1/2 ts cinnamon
1/2 ts nutmeg
1 package gelatin
1/2 c water
1/2 c sugar
1 c confectioners sugar
1 ts vanilla
1 ds salt

Instructions

Colored sugar; if desired Mix brown sugar, margarine, applesauce and egg in large bowl until smooth. Stir in remaining ingredeints except icing and colored sugar. Cover and refirgerate at least 1 hour until chilled. Heat oven to 375F. Grease cookie sheet. roll dough 1/8-inch think on floured cloth-covered surface. Cut with 2-1/2-inch cookie cutters. Place about 1 inch apart on cookie sheet. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are light brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet. Cool completely on wire rack. Frost with icing (directions below); sprinkle with colored sugar. Let icing dry about 2 hours before stacking cookies. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. ICING: Sprinkle gelatin on cold water in 1-1/2-quart saucepan to soften. Stir in sugar. Heat to rolling boil, reduce heat. Simmer uncovered 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour hot mixture over confectioner's sugar in small bowl; beat until smooth. Beat in remaining ingredients on high speed, scraping bowl frequently, until soft peaks form and icing is glossy. Frost cookies. ----