Gingerbread Men

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon baking soda 
• 1.3 cups butter 
• 0.3 cup plus dark
• 6 cups flour all-purpose
• 1.3 tablespoons ground cinnamon 
• 2 teaspoons ground cloves 
• 1.5 tablespoons ground ginger 
• 2.3 cups sugar 
• 0.8 cup water 
• 1 tablespoon water 

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• baking sheet
• sauce pan
• oven
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Cook sugar, 3/4 cup water, syrup, and spices in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves.
2. Add butter, stirring until melted.
3. Combine baking soda and 1 tablespoon water; stir into sugar mixture.
4. Pour sugar mixture into a bowl; gradually add flour, beating at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric mixer until blended. (Dough will be stiff.)
5. Divide dough into thirds.
6. Roll one-third of dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
7. Cut with a 5 1/2-inch gingerbread man cutter, and place on lightly greased baking sheets.
8. Bake at 350 for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool 1 minute on pan; remove cookies to wire racks, and cool completely. Repeat procedure with remaining dough. Decorate as desired.