Gingerbread Cookie Dough Ingredients

Gingerbreadmen Cookie Dough
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups molasses = 12 oz. jar see NOTE #1
1/3 cup shortening
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 cup cold water

7 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp allspice
1 TBLSP cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp nutmeg

2 tsp baking soda dissolved in
3 TBLPS water

Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together thoroughly the shortening, brown sugar and molasses.
2. Stir in the cold water. It will look curdled, but that’s okay it just means the shortening particles are more spread out.
3. In another large bowl, sift together all the dry ingredients and add to the liquid mixture. Blend well.
4. Stir the baking soda into the water and add to the gingerbread dough. see NOTE # 2
5. Chill dough.
6. Roll out on a floured surface and cut shapes. Place on a lightly greased sheet with space between cookies.
7. Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 to 18 minutes. switch pans in oven halfway through the cooking time.
8. Bake until, when touched lightly with a finger,no imprint remains. Cool and decorate as desired.

NOTE #1:
DO NOT use the ROBUST or SULFURED molasses as it will make the dough taste bitter!!! Be sure to use the Regular or Non-Sulfured molasses.

NOTE #2:
If you are making gingerbread houses, just leave the baking soda mixture out. Then you will have a smoother surface for the panels. Bake pieces, cool, bake again to make extra firm.