Melt 1/2 cup butter or margarine in a large saucepan. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar, then 1/2 cup molasses. Sift together 21/2 cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 teaspoons powdered ginger. Dissolve ‘/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1/4 cup hot water. Alternately add dry ingredients and soda water to the molasses mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Chill dough 2 to 3 hours.
Make a cardboard pattern, enlarging the design to 5 inches; cut it out. Preheat oven to 350°F Roll out dough to 1/s inch. Cut around pattern with a sharp knife.
- Gingerbread men
- Draw a 6″ x 4″ rectangle and divide it into
- 1/2″ squares.
- Cut it out.
Space cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Press on cinnamon candies for buttons and raisins for eyes. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned. If you like, make half a recipe of ornamental icing, and outline boots and other details with a decorating tube.