Gingerbread Boys Recipe

Here is a recipe for Gingerbread cookies from our children's assistant, Donna!

What you'll need:

• 2/3 cup butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup tightly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons ginger
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Almond Royal Icing (see following recipe)

In a large mixing bowl, blend the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and baking soda until smooth. Add the water and flour mixing until a smooth dough forms. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees F.

On a floured board or pastry cloth, roll out dough to about 1/4-inch thickness. Using cookie cutters or a pattern cut-outs, cut out gingerbread boy shapes. Place cookies on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 to 15 minutes, until they are firm to the touch. Remove from the oven and cool.

To decorate the cookies, press the icing through a pastry bag equipped with a writing tip. Allow icing to harden, then wrap cookies in plastic wrap and store in airtight container.