Gingerbread Men

Hello!

Gingerbread Men are a classic around Christmas time. Like Ginger Cookies, these burst with spices at the first bite, but they are a little thinner and crisper. Obviously, you can go all out with the decorating with frosting, sprinkles, and candy, but my family has always preferred the simpler route: mini chocolate chips. Finally, with any leftover dough, roll it up into a tiny ball, flatten and make a smiley face :)

Mini stars are just as yummy, and are useful when it comes to smaller pieces of dough that you have left.

Gingerbread Men Adapted from the November 1991 issue of Better Homes and Gardens

ingredients

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• 1/2 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel

to make

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
3. In another mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer for about 30 seconds.
4. Add brown sugar and beat till fluffy.
5. Add the molasses to butter mixture, and beat on low-speed until combined.
6. Add eggs, orange peel, and lemon peel. Mix in the flour mixture to molasses mixture.
7. Divide dough into 4 portions. Wrap each wad of dough in plastic wrap. Chill for about 1 hour.
8. Grease two cookie sheets.
9. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one portion of dough to a 1/4-inch thickness. Using small or large cookie cutters of any shape, cut dough into the desired cookie. Arrange cookies on the baking sheets.
10. Bake in oven for about 7 minutes or till edges are firm and light brown. {Make sure they do not under bake!}
11. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
12. Decorate and enjoy!

Have a splendiferous night!

Psst. Today’s holiday blogger is Lindsey at Love and Olive Oil! She shared some really helpful hints on how to make the perfect gingerbread cookie.