Molasses Cut-Out Cookies For Gingerbread Men - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 cup shortening
3/4 cup hot water
4 -5 cups flour, enough to make a smooth dough
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon clove

Preparation

Mix sugar and shortening together until light and fluffy.
Add molasses and beat until it is incorporated Add hot water and stir well.
Sift dry ingredients into mixture a cup at a time and stir until mixed well Chill for at least 2 hours.
Roll out a small amount, cut out a cookie round and test by cooking in a preheated 375F oven.
If cookies are spreading out too much, add and knead in a bit more flour.
Roll out dough a quarter at a time, keeping the rest chilled.
This makes handling the dough easier.
Roll out (using an equal mixture of confectioners sugar and flour) and cut into gingerbread men shapes.
Bake in a preheated 375F oven for about 12 minutes.