Spicy Gingerbread Men

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses (do not use backstrap molasses)
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups flour, sifted
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Directions

1. 1

   In a large bowl cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Stir in the molasses and egg yolk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg; blend in molasses mixture until smooth. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour.

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. On a lightly floured curface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inch apart on an ungreased baking sheet.

3. 3

   Bake 8-10 minutes or until firm. Remove from baking sheet and cool on wire racks. Frost when cooled.