1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees f. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a stand mixer or a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream together butter and sugar.

3. Add egg and dark molasses and continue to mix on low speed.

4. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly and combine until a soft dough forms.

5. Drop 8 to 10 large scoops of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Leave at least 2" between the cookie dough balls.

6. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until the center is set. Place on a wire rack to allow the cookies to cool quickly.

7. Scoop the frosting into a piping bag with 1A tip and cover each cookie with the icing.

8. In a medium bowl combine caramels and cream.

9. Melt the caramels in the microwave in 15 second intervals, stirring in between until a smooth caramel sauce is created.

10. Drizzle the caramel sauce over the cookies.

11. Top each cookie with an animal cracker (optional).