Gingies

total time:: 2 hr

A holiday tradition from Jeff’s mom, Barbara Moller. Years ago, Barb made these for Jeff and Beth, and has since made them with Amy, Carter and Charlotte. We have lots of happy memories of holiday baking fun!

ingredients

1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. cold water, scant
3 1/2 T. melted shortening
1 c. dark molasses
4 c. all-purpose flour
3/4 t. salt
3/4 t. allspice
3/4 t. ginger
3/4 t. cloves
3/4 t. cinnamon
1 1/2 t. baking soda

directions

1
Stir the sugar into the water and mix with the shortening and molasses.
2
Stir the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and mix them well to make a smooth dough. Put the dough into a clean oiled mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours.
3
Roll out the dough 1/2-inch thick on a floured surface. Use as little flour as possible to prevent sticking because it will show on the cookie.
4
Cut out the cookies with a gingerbread man cutter. Transfer the cookies to a lightly-oiled baking sheet. Apply raisins, dragees, etc. as desired.
5
Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Cool and decorate with colored frosting, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.
6
Makes 8 large Gingie men or 2 - 2 1/2 dozen smaller Gingie boys. You may easily double the recipe. There never seems to be enough for all the children and grown-up kids who love them.
7
For gifts: Cut pieces of cardboard a little larger than the size of the Gingie and cover with foil or Christmas wrapping paper. Put the Gingie on top and cover with clear plastic wrap. Decorate with curling ribbon. The kids loved to make these and give them to their friends at Christmas.

notes

Once, when Jeff was a little boy, Barb said he strategically placed a raisin and two silver dragees on his cookie man. He said he was making a "real gingerbread boy!"

Source: Lisa Ebbesen