gingerbread boys

With all the baking we do this time of year, I thought I would take some time this week to share some of my favorite recipes with you. I'll begin with the quintessential Christmas cookie.

gingerbread boys!

I made the famous "Williamsburg Gingerbread Cookies" yesterday just in time for Christmas supper. These are some of my favorite wintertime treats. Did I mention they make your house smell divine as they bake? An added bonus! My mom scored this recipe in our local paper one year and I'm so glad she did. The gingerbread they make in Colonial Williamsburg is the best and now we all can make it at home!

Ingredients
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons cinnamon
1 1/2 Tablespoons nutmeg
2 Tablespoons ginger
1 Tablespoon lemon flavoring
3/4 cup milk
5 cups flour
1 1/2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup molasses
extra flour
frosting/sprinkles/other candy decorations

Directions
1. Cream the butter and sugar with an electric mixer.

2. Add spices, lemon flavoring and milk, blending well.

3. Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt.

4. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture alternately with molasses to make a smooth, thick dough.

 

5. Chill the dough for two hours in refrigerator. Be sure to "sample" some dough to make sure it's just right.

6. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/4" thick onto a well floured surface.

7. Cut with desired cookie cutters and place cookies on a greased and lightly floured cookie sheet.

8. Bake at 350 for about 8 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE!
9. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

10. Frost and decorate cooled cookies!

A few tips...
* Yes, those measurements are correct- you do use TABLESPOONS of spices. This recipe makes a great many gingerbread boys so you can share with family and friends!
* Don't skip the sifting in step 3. You really do need to use a sifter to incorporate the baking powder and salt into the flour and make that fine sifted blend.
* Chill the dough! If you try to skip this step you will have a huge sticky mess on your hands!
* When it comes time to roll the dough, make sure your hands and the rolling pin are coated in flour to preventing the dough from sticking.