You can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man!

Another fabulous recipe from The Joy of Cooking. This is my kitchen bible.

Gingerbread Men

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Blend until creamy:
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup white or brown sugar

Beat in:
1/2 cup dark molasses

Sift:
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Resift with:
1tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp salt

Add the sifted ingredients to the butter mixture in about three parts, alternately with:

1/4 cup water if you roll the dough, or 1/3 cup if you model it. Decorate with candies, raisins, etc.

Place on a greased pan. Bake the cookies for about 8 minutes or longer, according to their thickness. Test for doneness by pressing the dough with your finger. If it springs back after pressing, they are ready to be cooled on a rack.

The Joy of Cooking suggests a frosting/paste:

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
A few drops of water

You may add: A drop or two of vegetable coloring.

Apply the icing with a wooden pick or a small knife for addition garnishes.

If you don't want to make Gingerbread Men, check out these finds from 1000Markets: