Gingerbread Men

We made these for our New Year's Eve party. Yes, they are a BIG mess, but they are also a lot of fun for big AND little people. (I decorated two :)

Gingerbread Cookies

1 c. shortening

1 c. sugar

1 egg

2 c. molasses

2 T. vinegar

6-8 c. flour (until you reach desired stiffness)

1 t. salt

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

2 T. ginger

1/4 t. nutmeg

3 t. soda

1 c. boiling water

Cream fats and sugar. Beat in egg. Add molasses and vinegar and mix. Sift together flour and spices. Dissolve soda in water and add alternately with flour to sugar mixture. Dough should be soft but rollable. Chill throughly.

Preheat oven to 350. Roll out dough to desired thickness and cut with cookie cutters. Bake on greased sheet for 8-10 minutes. Cool thoroughly and ice with buttercream frosting (almond flavor is nice with these :) Decorate with whatever candies you like (we used mini marshmallows, Twizzler's Pull and Peel, M&Ms, sprinkles).