How To Make The Perfect Man..............Gingerbread Man That Is

Gingerbread People Recipe

Baking is one of my holiday traditions and making Gingerbread People is one of my favorite things to do this time of year. I've been making these wonderful cookies every Christmas season for over 25 years. It's a fun project for the kids, they love to cut out the shapes and decorate. I make a lot of mini gingerbread people- when you add the frosting they can be on the sweet side. The cookies store well; you can bake and freeze or freeze some of the dough to bake a fresh batch at your convenience.

1 1/2 cups dark molassas

1 cup packed brown sugar

2/3 cup cold water

1/4 cup shortening

7 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp allspice

2 tsp ginger

1 tsp cloves

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix the molassas, brown sugar water and shortening in one bowl. I mix the rest of the dry ingredients together then add to the molassas mix. Cover and refrigerate for two hours.

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Flour your countertop and roll the dough 1/4 inch thick. Cut cookies with your favorite cookie cutters and place about 2" apart on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 10-12 minutes. Frost with an icing made from powdered sugar and water.

Don't forget to enjoy your creations with a cup of tea or hot chocolate with your little men and women.

Merry Christmas!