Gingerbread Boys

Yield: 55 to 65 boys

Ingredients

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup molasses
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

1. Cream shortening, sugar and salt.
2. Stir in molasses, vinegar and egg.
3. Sift together and add the remaining ingredients.
4. Chill mixture overnight.
5. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease cookie sheets.
6. Divide dough into fourths. Roll one part of dough at a time on floured board 1/8 inch thick. Refrigerate remainder.
7. Cut out gingerbread boys with sharp cookie cutter.
8. Place on prepared cookie sheets and bake for about 6 minutes.
9. Cool slightly and remove from cookie sheets.
10. Decorate as desired.

Notes

Cookies will keep several months in an airtight container and indefinitely in the freezer.