Gingerbread cookies

A few days ago, I really wanted to eat some gingerbread cookies -- so I made some! These are probably my favorite cookies and they are really easy to make. The recipe is from the Mrs. Fields cookie cook book that we always used at home. Making these reminded me of Christmas and the smell when they are baking is so nice and spicy. I was going to use little red hots (cinnamon imperials) for decorations, but I have concluded that these candies absolutely do not exist in Miami! What!? I searched at least three stores for them and nothing! Also, when I was trying to find molasses at the grocery store, the lady who worked there didn't even know what it was...hmmmmm...anyway, I eventually found molasses, but no red hot candies!

Ingredients:

Batter being mixed:

Dough ready to be put in the refrigerator:

Cutting out the cookies:

Finished cookies:

Om, nom, nom:

Here is the recipe:
Mrs. Field's Gingerbread Men

Ingredients:

3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1 cup salted butter, softened
3/4 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1 large egg
1/2 cup unsulfured molasses

Pre-heat oven to 325°F.

Whisk together flour, soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves in a medium bowl.

In large bowl with an electric mixer cream butter and sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add egg and molasses, and beat on medium speed until smooth. Scrape bowl and add the flour mixture. Blend on low speed until combined; do not overmix.

Separate dough into 2 balls and flatten into disks. Wrap each disk lightly in plastic wrap or a plastic bag, and refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

On floured surface with a floured rolling pin, roll dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. With floured cookie cutters cut into gingerbread men. Gather scraps and re-roll dough until all dough is used. Place on ungreased baking sheets 1/2 inch apart. Cook for 9 - 11 minutes.

Yield:2 1/2 dozen 6 inch cookies
3 1/2 dozen 4 inch cookies

Source:Mrs. Field's Cookie Book