Spicy and Sweet Molasses Men

Men of the world take note. You should all strive to be more like these little fellows - spicy and sweet and easy to manipulate!

These cookies are a variation on the traditional gingerbread dough as they are much sweeter with the addition of some good molasses. They do still have that nice spice flavor using cinnamon, ground ginger and cloves. The dough was very malleable and easy to roll out and cut and the house was filled with the wonderful aroma of spices as they baked.

I did cheat for the frosting and purchased some pre-made royal icing which I found at my local cooking store. It made the decorating process a snap. As you see I didn't make things very complicated. You just can't have Christmas cookies without a few gingerbread men to grace your tray or basket.

Spicy and Sweet Molasses Men
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground cloves

In a large bowl, combine sugar and butter; beat until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg and blend well. Add all the remaining cookie ingredients; mix well. Form dough into a ball and wrap with plastic wrap. Place in refrigerator for 1-3 hours for easier handling.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. On a well floured surface, roll half of the dough at a time to 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out with floured cookie cutters, brush off excess flour and place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.Bake at 350 degrees for 6-9 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cool completely. Decorate as desired and let icing set completely. Makes 2 dozen cookies.