Soft Ginger Cookies w/Ginger-Orange Frosting

Makes about 3 dozen cookies, or 18 sandwiches
Ingredients
FOR THE COOKIES
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup molasses
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Additional sugar for rolling cookies
FOR THE FILLING
1/4 cup (4 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon ginger
pinch of salt
2 to 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
To make the cookies: In a large bowl, combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves; set aside.
In another large bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and shortening together until light and fluffy. Beat in both sugars until combined and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until incorporated. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl, then stir in the molasses and vanilla until combined. Sprinkle half of the flour mixture over the butter mixture and mix until just combined. Sprinkle the remaining flour mixture into the mixing bowl and beat until well combined, scraping the sides of the bowl, as needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with Silpat mats or parchment paper.
Roll a 1 tablespoon portion of dough into a ball and coat it in the extra sugar. Place cookies on the prepared baking sheets, about 2-inches apart, and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until edges are turning golden brown and tops are cracking. Allow to cool on sheets before transferring to wire cooling racks. Cool completely before frosting or serving.
To make the filling: In a medium bowl, or the bowl of a standing mixer, cream the butter and cream cheese together until well combined. Stir in the vanilla, orange zest, and salt. Add 1 1/2 cups of the sugar and beat until just combined. Add more sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, until the filling reaches a soft, but slightly firm consistency. If it gets too dry, add small amounts of orange juice to soften it up.

This came from mybakingdom.com . So Good!