Recipe: Perfect Gingerbread Men

THE PERFECT GINGERBREAD MEN
"These Gingerbread Men Cookies are as cute as can be. If desired, decorate with raisins, currants or cinnamon red hot candies for eyes and buttons."

3 cups flour
2 teaspoons McCormick Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl; set aside.

Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed.

Press dough to a thick flat disk; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.

WHEN READY TO BAKE:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just beginning to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Decorate cooled cookies as desired.

Makes 2 dozen cookies
Source: McCormick