Be sure to add them to your cookie repertoire.
Stir together baking soda and 1/4 cup hot water until dissolved; stir in molasses.
Stir together flour and next 4 ingredients.
Credit: Jennifer Davick
Add to butter mixture alternately with molasses mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Shape mixture into a ball; cover and chill 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350.
Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
Cut dough with a 1- to 2 1/2-inch snowflake-shaped cutter.
Place 2 inches apart on parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
Bake at 350 for 13 to 17 minutes.
Let cool on baking sheets 2 minutes; transfer to wire racks.
Cool completely (about 30 minutes).
Spoon Royal Icing into a small zip-top plastic freezer bag.
Decorate cookies as desired with candies and sugar crystals.
