Red-Bellied Bears

Yield: 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 1/2 tablespoons orange juice
• 3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 to 3 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Red decorator sugar crystals
• Red cinnamon candies

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a cookie sheet.
2. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until soft and creamy; gradually add sugar, beating well. Add egg, molasses, and orange juice, beating well.
3. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Divide dough into thirds; roll each portion to 1/4 inch thickness on prepared cookie sheet. Cut cookies close together with a 3 1/2 inch bear shape cookie cutter. Remove excess dough from cookie sheets. Decorate with sugar crystals and candies.
4. Bake for 10 minutes.
5. Remove to wire racks to cool.