Queen Elizabeth of England
is credited with creating this fun cookie in the 16th century,
when she ordered cakes spiced
with ginger to be baked in the shapes of her friends.
Gingerbread
Men
- 7 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
- 1 1/2 cups dark molasses
- 2/3 cup cold water
- In large bowl, combine
first 7 ingredients, mixing well; set aside.
- In large mixing bowl beat
together with electric mixer on medium speed the sugar and
shortening until fluffy; add
the molasses and water, mixing well. Stir in the flour mixture
until just mixed. Cover and
refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350*F
(180*C). Lightly grease baking sheets.
- Roll about 1/4 of the
dough 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with a floured
gingerbread cutter or other shaped cutters. Place about 2-inches
apart on baking sheets.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.
Transfer to wire racks to
cool. Decorate with colored frosting, sugar and candies as
desired.
Makes about 2 1/2 dozen
2 1/2-inch gingerbread men.
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