#10 Gingerbread Boys and Girls

A lady came in this afternoon. She had spent the last twos hours with short people. Ages 2-6. Her job was to read them a story. Being that Christmas is just around the corner she chose to read the story of the Gingerbread Man. She brought us a few leftovers and I was quickly drawn back to the year in school we read the story and baked a gingerbread man. This is her recipe she shared with us today.

2/3 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup molasses
1 egg
3 1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon

Cream together the shortening and sugar. Beat in molasses and egg. Sift together dry ingredients. Add to creamed ingredients. Chill for at least an hour, it's best if you hold it over night in the fridge. Roll out the dough on a floured board 3/8 inch thick slab. Cut Gingerbread boys and girls. Back on ungreased cookie sheet for 8 minutes at 375 degrees. For a crisper cookie roll dough thinner. Cool and decorate with confectioners icing. Store in air tight container.