"The Perfect Man - The Gingerbread Man"

This Christmas I was bound and determined to make Gingerbread Men cookies!  After first attempting a recipe out of a random cookie book.  I called my Mom for help and she sent me the fail safe recipe from the Betty Crocker cookbook that she used for all of her baking when I was growing up.  This recipe worked beautifully except it fried my cheap electric hand mixer because it calls for 7 cups of flour!  Oh well, I guess it's time to put one of those fancy Kitchen Aid mixers on my wish list for next year!  The cookies came out great I did a small and large gingerbread man and worked with various dough thickness.  The fatter the gingerbread man the softer the cookie, the thinner the more crunchy!  Instead of raisins I used cinnamon imperials and I to be completely honest the combination was perfect!  This is going to be my signature holiday cookie for years to come.  They go amazing with a fresh cup of brewed morning coffee.

If you want the perfect Gingerbread Man recipe here you go, straight from the Better Crocker Cookbook!

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup Shortening

1 1/2 cups dark molasses

2/3 cup cold water

7 cups all-purpose flour* (If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda and salt)

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons  ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground allspice

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.) In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and water with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon.  Stir in remaining ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

2.) Heat oven to 350 Degrees. Grease cookie sheet lightly with shortening or spray with cooking spray.

3.)  Roll dough 1/4 inch think on floured surface.  Cut with floured gingerbread cookie cutters.  On cookie sheet, place cut outs about 2 inches apart.

4.)  Bake 10-12 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet and place on wire rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.  Decorate with colored frosting, colored sugar and candies if desired.