Quantity varies depending on the size of your cutter
“Run and run as fast as you can!
You can’t catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!”
What is Christmas without gingerbread men? This is another big holiday tradition in our family. I always make dozens of gingerbread men or boys, and even women and personalize them with the name of the recipient. In England, they are called gingerbread husbands and wives.
1 cup, (2 sticks or 1/2 pound) of butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark molasses
1 egg
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground anise
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground clove
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the molasses, egg and vinegar and blend well. Sift all dry ingredients together and add gradually to the molasses mixture, blending after each addition. The dough will most likely be quite soft. Divide the dough in half, form into balls, pat into disks about 1 inch thick and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least three hours or overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°f (190°c or Gas mark 5). Remove from the refrigerator one disk at a time and working on a lightly floured surface, roll the to be about one-quarter inch thick. Cut out gingerbread men and place on a baking sheet that has been lined with Baker’s parchment. The gingerbread men should be placed about one inch apart. Bake in pre heated oven for about six to eight minute for a chewy texture, a bit longer for a crisp texture. Remove from the oven and allow to completely cool. When completely cooled you may decorate with butter cream icing.
Another decorating idea is to press raisins into the dough before baking for eyes, mouth and buttons down each boys front.
I have also pushed dough through a sieve or a potato ricer to make thin strands that I used for hair. I have also seen chocolate sprinkles used for hair. Be creative. Have a ball.
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