gingerbread

Kitchen of: Christene H.

Ingredients:
3 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1 cup margarine (not oil!), softened
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup molasses
2 whole eggs


1. Mix flour cinnamon, ginger, salt, baking soda and allspice in medium bowl. Beat butter, sugar, and vanilla in large bowl with mixer for about five minutes or until mixture is light and fluffy. Mixture will not be completely smooth. Beat in molasses and eggs until blended and scrape down the side of the bowl once. Beat in flour mixture on low speed until well blended. Divide the dough into 3 equal pieces and flatten each piece of dough into a circle. Then wrap pieces in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours.


2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease large cookie sheets.3. Remove plastic wrap from one piece of dough and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll out the dough with a lightly floured rolling pin to 1/8 inch thickness. Keep the remaining dough refrigerated until needed. Cut out the dough and place onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake for ten minute or until golden brown. Let pieces stand on a wire rack until cooled completely.

One batch can make four houses depending on the size you want to make. Mix up a batch and have some good old fashioned fun!