Gingerbread Boys

Ingredients

• 1.5 teaspoons baking soda 
• 1 cup butter 
• 1 large eggs 
• 5 cups flour all-purpose
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves 
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger 
• 1 cup blackstrap molasses 
• 0.5 teaspoon salt 
• 1 cup sugar 
• 2 tablespoons vinegar white

Equipment

• frying pan
• baking sheet
• baking paper
• oven
• hand mixer
• cookie cutter

Directions

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually add sugar and salt, beating well.
2. Add molasses, vinegar, and egg, beating at low speed just until blended.
3. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients; add to butter mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Cover and chill 8 hours.
4. Divide dough into fourths.
5. Roll each portion to a 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface.
6. Cut with a 3-inch gingerbread-boy cookie cutter.
7. Place on lightly greased or parchment paper-lined baking sheets.
8. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. Cool on pans 1 minute (this allows cookies to lift easily off of pan); then place on wire racks to cool. Decorate as desired.