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Gingerbread Men

(about 30 cookies)

2/3 cup shortening
½ cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp ground cloves or allspice
Pinch of salt
1 egg
¾ cup molasses
3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder


Cream together shortening, sugar, spices and salt. Add egg and mix thoroughly. Add molasses and blend.

Sift together twice the flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add to molasses mixture and stir until blended. Chill.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Using a third to a quarter of the dough at a time, roll it to 1/8 inch or slightly thicker on lightly floured pastry cloth with a floured rolling pin.

Cut with gingerbread man cutter or any other cutters desired. Transfer carefully to greased baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough. Before baking, press raisins into dough for eyes, nose and buttons on suit. Use half a slice of candied cherry for mouth.

Place in oven and bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on rack. If desired, decorate with decorative frosting.

VARIATION:

Gingerbread Cookies:

Roll dough to 5/8 inch thickness on floured pastry cloth or board. Using floured springerle boards or a rolling pin, press out desired shapes and cut apart with floured knife. Place on greased baking sheets and bake 10 to 12 minutes.