1 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 Egg
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground cloves
2 teaspoons ginger
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 cups all purpose flour
Royal Icing
In a large bowl cream sugar and butter together until fluffy. Beat in molasses and egg. Sprinkle in spices, baking soda, and salt. Beat until well blended. Stir in flour a cup at a time and mix to make a stiff dough (save an extra ½ cup of flour to sprinkle on counter when kneading and cutting into shapes). Knead dough by hand about 10 minutes until it forms a ball and is smooth. It may be a little sticky.
Refrigerate overnight or several hours.
Cut into 4 sections and let it sit out for about 10 minutes. Roll out dough onto a long sheet of waxed paper so you can flip it over onto the cookie sheet and it will not get out of shape (roll dough the thickness you desire, it will stay that thickness – baking it does not make it rise or spread much).
If you want to hang them on the Christmas tree use a toothpick etc to make a small hole in the head before baking.
Bake at 300° for 15 - 20 minutes. Gently work spatula under each piece to loosen from cookie sheet. Cool on cooling rack. Decorate with Royal Icing.
They make a great Christmas gift too! I made up this little poem:
"We would like to thank you for all that you do
and let you know we sure appreciate you.
Please enjoy this batch of gingerbread men.
We hope you eat all that you can.
If you do not wish to eat this holiday treat, please hang them with care
they'll look rather festive on your tree with all the ornaments there."
