12 days of Christmas Cookies: Day 2

To me, the mirage of Christmas Cookies are the Gingerbread men. In my youth, did not make gingerbread or gingerbread men, and I'm sure we didn't know of anyone who did. In the Polish and Italian neighborhoods where we grew up, it was kolackys and pizelles. Gingerbread men were an unknown entity.

So my question is thus: is there anyone out there who did make gingerbread men on a regular basis? Or are these bitter/sweet cakes part of the same Christmas traditions that everyone is aware of, but few take part. Can we put gingerbread men into the same category as fruitcakes and wassail?

• 3/4 cup unsulphured molasses
• 3/4 cup butter (room temperature)
• 3 2/3 cups All Purpose Flour (sifted)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cardomom
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3/4 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 egg, large

Pour the molasses into a medium sized sauce pan that has been placed over low heat. Add the butter and stir slowly, allowing the butter to melt completely, but without bringing the molasses to a boil. Once the butter is melted, remove from heat and allow to cool.

In a large glass bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, ginger, cardomom, cinnamon and brown sugar. Mix well and slowly add the cooled molasses. Beat until thoroughly incorporated. Add the egg, mixing it in as well.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

After the dough is chilled, pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll out the dough until 1/4" thick. Cut out the gingerbread men using the appropriate cookie cutter, and place on a cookie sheet that has been lined with parchment paper.

Place in the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes.

Makes 12-18 gingerbread men

Technorati Tags: Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Gingerbread man, gingerbread