Recipe(tried): Old-Fashioned Gingerbread Men

OLD-FASHIONED GINGERBREAD MEN

5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup unsulfured molasses
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

TO PREPARE THE DOUGH:
Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a large bowl; ser aside.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and egg on medium until smooth. Add the molasses and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes.

Add the vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time, blending until smooth. The dough should gather to a semi firm mass. (If it's not firm, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup flour, but not enough to make it crumbly.)

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Flatten into disks and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.

TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

On a floured surface, roll each disk to 1/8 inch thick. Use a gingerbread-man cutter to make shapes. Transfer them to a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Decorate, if desired.

Bake until firm to the touch, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly before transferring to a rack.

Decorate if desired.

Makes 3 dozen medium cookies