Makes 16, 5 inch cookies
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup butter (room temp) or vegetable shortening (Crisco)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 Tablespoon ginger
1 Tablespoon cinnamon
1 large egg
I find a pastry blender works best
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastery_blender )
Mix;
The flour, baking soda, ginger & cinnamon - in one bowl
Then, in another bowl, add the butter (or Crisco), then mix in brown sugar and molasses
Then using the pastry blender and fork, gradually add the contents of the flour bowl into the fat (butter/Crisco) bowl.
Combine until a dough ball is formed (you will have to use your hands).
Divide into thirds
Cover dough balls in plastic wrap and place in fridge over night
pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees
while pre-heating, roll out dough to cut out cookies (not to thin for gingerbread men & brief refrigeration makes it easier to cut)
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (may need adjusting to find your oven's soft-bake range)
Typically royal icing is used, and recipes can be found by googling "royal icing" - It's best to find one you can do, and like.
