Gingerbread Men

Nothing says Christmas time like cookies, and this is one of the classics.

Yield: 60 cookies (I used a medium-sized cookie cutter)

Ingredients

• Cookies
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 1/4 cup backstrap molasses
• 1 1/4 cup dark molasses
• 2/3 cup cold water
• 7 cups flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Icing
• 1 egg white
• 2 cups confectioner's sugar
• 1-2 tsp milk

Directions

1. In mixing bowl, combine the brown sugar, shortening, and molasses.  Mix in the water.
2. Add the remaining cookie ingredients.  Mix well.  Cover and refrigerate for two hours.
3. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to a 1/4-inch thickness.  Use a cookie cutter to cut into gingerbread men.  Place on baking sheets that have been lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake at 330°F for 11 minutes.  Transfer immediately to wire rack to cool.
5. For icing, whip the egg white with a hand mixer on high speed until soft peaks form.  Add in the sugar.  Add enough milk to make it soft enough to pipe.  (It's ok if it's a little on the runny side)
6. Use a pastry bag to pipe the face & buttons onto the cooled cookies.
7. Store in air tight container.

Adapted from Betty Crocker and Best Recipes.