Gingerbread Men

Last year we were in charge of the ward Christmas in Nauvoo Party. I made at least 300 gingerbread men for dessert in the Scoville Bakery. This year I had to make them again-Tradition!

1 stick (1/2C) butter, softened
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c molasses
1 egg

2 1/2 c flour
1 T powdered ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teas nutmeg
1/2 teas allspice ( I use cloves)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teas salt


Cream the butter and sugar together, then beat in the molasses and egg. Stir and toss together the flour, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Add the dry ingredients to the first mixture and beat until the dough is thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for about an hour.
Preheat oven to 350 and grease cookie sheets. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough about 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough into gingerbread boys or other shapes. Transfer dough to the cookie sheets, placing them 1 inch apart.

Bake for about 7 minutes. Remove form the oven and transfer the cookies to racks to cool. Frost with confectioner's frosting.

Confectioner's Frosting
1/3 c shortening
2 T milk
pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar

Cream the shortening and salt together in a mixing bowl. Add the sugar and milk and bear until smooth and stiff enough to spread, adding a little more sugar or drops of milk till right consistency.


We just glazed the cookies by beating a mixture of 1 egg white, 3-4 cups powdered sugar and 1 T milk. After glazing the cookies, we took a toothpicks, dipped in food coloring and swirled it around the glazed cookies before it dried. Look like stain glass...easy way to decorate 300 cookies.