Chewy Frosted Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS

1 cup

unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup

granulated sugar

1 cup

molasses

egg, room temperature

4 cups

all-purpose flour

1 tsp

Kosher salt

1 1/2 tsp

baking powder

1/2 tsp

baking soda

1 1/2 tsp

ground cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp

ground ginger

1 tsp

ground cloves

3/4 tsp

ground nutmeg

1/4 tbsp

crystallized ginger, minced (don't pack the ginger into, a light or "barely there" ¼ cup is sufficient)

egg whites

1 tsp

lemon juice

clear vanilla extract (optional - available at most crafting/baking shops)

5 cups

confectioners sugar

water, as necessary