Now it smells like Christmas! I've been baking up a storm getting ready for the big day and for tonight...it's our annual Christmas party for the children...I say children because only families with small children between certain ages get invited...ruthless, yes, but there is motive to my madness. We put on a play/skit/debacle for kids...adults are mildly amused if not totally bored but the kids love it...and of course, we have treats galore! Always - we have gingerbread men...they are so happy! I love biting their little heads off! I'm really looking forward to tonight...I need a good laugh!
Take a look at these snow shots! For you in the Midwest this is nothing...but for us - it's paralyzing! After 12 inches of the white stuff our roads are impassable and we've been snow-bound for days!!! And by snow-bound I mean we've been stuck inside our manse ...FOUR days to be exact...me and the mister...FOUR days of togetherness...four days of him being my shadow...four days of me ravaging the medicine cabinet for mind-altering drugs...Please pray for a snowplow to come up our street!!!
This recipe is tried and true - and it never fails. The secret to a great gingerbread man is to not overbake him! He will harden as he cools so take them out right when that buzzer rings and not a second later!
Why yes, that IS the Eiffle Tower! My French friend wasn't able to go home to Paris for Christmas so I took a little Paris to her! This dough just lends itself to all kinds of shapes - so get out those cookie cutters and have some fun!
Gingerbread Men - Adapted From Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book (Rolled Ginger Cookies)
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
2 tablespoons vinegar
5 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 to 3 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 currants for eyes and buttons
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg, molasses, and vinegar. Sift together dry ingredients; blend in. Chill 3 hours. (The chilling is very important or else the dough will be too soft to work with.) Roll dough 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut gingerbread men with cookie cutter. Put currants on each gingerbread man for the eyes and the buttons. Place 1-inch apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 5 to 6 minutes. Cool slightly; remove to rack to cool completely. Makes about 5 dozen cookies. Frost if desired.
"Every time we love, every time we give, it's Christmas" ~ Dale Evans
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One year ago today: Gingerbread Pudding with Brandy Cream Sauce