Gingerbread Men

By akselden

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 tbsp grated lemon rind
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup baking powder
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine first 4 ingredients in 4 quart Dutch oven; bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; stir in lemon rind and lemon juice. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Combine flour and next 6 ingredients; add 2 cups flour mixture, egg and egg yolk to sugar mixture, stirring well. Gradually add remaining flour mixture, mixing well. Shape dough into a ball; knead on floured surface until smooth. Dough will appear dry before kneading.
3. Divide dough in half; roll to about 1/4 inch thickness on floured surface. Cut out with 5 inch gingerbread man cutter; place on lightly greased cookie sheets. Cut hole into top of cookie using straw if you want to hang cookies. Bake at 325° for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown and firm. Loosen cookies with spatula and let cool 1 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

Note: Store gingerbread men in a cardboard box at room temperature or freeze in airtight containers. Avoid making cookies during humid weather because they may pick up moister and soften. Even though these cookies are edible, they are very hard and are intended to be used for decorative purposes. Makes about 18 five inch gingerbread men.