Gingerbread PEOPLE

Gingerbread PEOPLE
This is the recipe I've used for 20 years.... soft and delicious.
Makes about 16 large men.  Dough needs to be chilled before rolling out

3 1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves 
1 C (2 sticks) butter, softened 
3/4 C light or dark brown sugar, firmly packed 
1 large egg
1/2 C molasses 


Whisk together flour, salt, and spices. 

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and molasses; beat until smooth.  Stir in flour mixture.  Do not overmix. 

Form dough into 2 large disks - wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour or longer. 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. 

Roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness, on floured surface.  You will use a lot of flour to prevent the dough from sticking.  Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes. 

Bake 8-10 minutes until set.  The cookies will appear puffy but the edges will be firm. 

Cool completely, then frost and decorate.  

Simple icing for gingerbread PEOPLE: 
Juice of one lemon
1 egg white
enough powdered sugar to make a good icing.