Gingerbread Men

What's Christmas without a gingerbread man?

Sure you could make a sugar cookie shaped like a man but it's not the same. 

Something about the taste of a gingerbread man just makes you feel the holiday from the inside out.

And they're not overly sweet like a lot of cookies. 

And come on, 

We all know it's fun to bite off a leg or an arm and remember when we ate these as kids. 

This is a family recipe given to me by my Aunt Kitty years ago when I was looking for a good gingerbread man recipe. She's made these with her girls for probably 40 years. So you know it has to be good!

Gingerbread Men

8 cups sifted flour

3 teaspoon ginger

1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

2 c. unsulfered molasses

1 cup shortening

3 tsp baking soda

2/3 cup hot water

1 egg

Combine flour, ginger, cinnamon and salt.

Make a well in the center, stir in sugar and molasses.

Add shortening.

Dissolve baking soda in hot water, then pour into dough.

Finally add egg and blend until well combined.

Chill thoroughly, I chill over night. 

Roll out onto a floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. 

Cut into desired shapes

Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

Once cooled decorate with Royal Icing or whatever you choose.

This recipe will make about 8 dozen cookies depending on the size. Dough can also be frozen. 

I've linked up over at Totally Tasty Tuesdays, Two Maids a Milking, Crazy For Crust and Thursday's Treasures, Secret Recipe Club