What's Xmas without Gingerbread Men?

I wanted to decorate the tree with cookies this year, and I saw quite a few cute ideas online featuring Gingerbread Men..alas I didn't have a man-shaped cookie cutter - so I improvised and used the shapes I had.

From a whole load of gingerbread recipes I chose one from the joyofbaking.com, just because it was Xmas Eve and my first time to make gingerbread cookies, I wanted the cookies to be ready for Xmas morning, so I didn't have time to try different recipes.

As suggested in the recipe I made the dough and put it in the fridge overnight, this dough is really sticky - so yes that was definitely a good idea. Baking on Xmas morning and eating freshly made cookies was a bonus too.

I didn't make any changes, except I didn't use confectioners frosting and we just made a simple icing using icing sugar, hot water and food colouring.

Gingerbread Men Recipe: 

3 cups (390 grams) all purpose flour 

1/4 teaspoons salt 

3/4 teaspoon baking soda 

2 teaspoons ground ginger 

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 

1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar 

1 large egg 

2/3 cup (160 ml) unsulphured molasses 

(To prevent the molasses from sticking to the measuring cup, spray with a non stick vegetable spray.) 

Confectioners Frosting: 

2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted 

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature 

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

1 1/2 tablespoons milk or light cream 

Gingerbread Men: 

In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, and spices. 

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. 

Add the egg and molasses and beat until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture beating until incorporated. Divide the dough in half, and wrap each half 

in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and place rack in center of oven.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside while you roll out the 

dough. 

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch.  Use a gingerbread cutter to cut out the cookies.  With an offset spatula lift the cut out 

cookies onto the baking sheet, placing the cookies about 1 inch (2.54 cm) apart.  If you are hanging the cookies or using as gift tags, make a hole at the top of the cookies with a straw or end of a wooden skewer. 

Bake for about 8 - 12 minutes depending on the size of the cookies.  Small ones will take about 8 minutes, larger cookies will take about 12 minutes.  

They are done when they are firm and the edges are just beginning to brown. 

Remove the cookies from the oven and cool on the baking sheet for about 1 minute.  When they are firm enough to move, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

If desired, you can press raisins, currants, or candies into the dough for eyes and buttons while the cookies are still warm.  Otherwise, confectioners frosting can be used to decorate the cookies.  You can also use the icing as a glue to attach candies, raisins, and sprinkles. 

Confectioners Frosting:  In an electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract.  With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar.  Scrape down the sides of the 

bowl and beater.  Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).  Add a little more milk if too dry.  Place the frosting in a pastry bag fitted with a decorative tip and decorate the gingerbread 

men as desired. Tint portions of frosting with desired food color. Makes about 3 dozen cookies depending on the size of cookie cutter used. Store in an airtight container.