Giant Gingerbread Kids - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. shortening
1/2 c. dark molasses
1/4 c. water
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. soda
3/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
raisins or currants

Preparation

Beat sugar, shortening, molasses and water in large bowl. Beat on low speed of mixer until blended.
Beat on medium speed 1 minute.
Stir in remaining ingredients except raisins.
Cover and refrigerate until chilled, 1 to 2 hours.
Heat oven to 375\u00b0. Sprinkle a cloth-covered surface lightly with flour; turn dough onto
surface.
Roll dough with a rolling pin until 1/4-inch thick. Cut with a 5 to 8-inch gingerbread cutter.
Lift with large spatula onto an ungreased cookie sheet.
Decorate with raisins. Bake until set, 8 to 10 minutes.
Let cookies cool 3 minutes, then remove.
Cool and decorate with frosting, if you like.