Gingerbread men...I mean cookies! :)

No cookie says the holidays more than a cute little gingerbread cookie! I picked up a set of Christmas cookie cutters up from Target, it had the perfect gingerbread man cutter in it. I believe the ensemble of 5 cookie cutters were only $4 so you can't beat that.

Now, if you're pressed for time you can obviously pick up Betty Crocker's latest pre-made cookie mix but what is the fun in that? This is a DIY blog anyhow. :)
For the cookies:
3 1/4 cups of flour
3/4 teaspoons of baking soda
3/4 cups (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter do not melt, soften at room temperature
1/2 cup of brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup of molasses

(You can add raisins, choco chips, candy pieces, frosting etc.)

In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and spices. Set aside.

In mixer: mix the butter, sugar and beat until fluffy. Mix in eggs and molasses. Gradually add the flour mixture; combine on low speed. (You may need to work it with your hands to incorporate the last bit of flour.) Divide dough in thirds; wrap each third in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Before rolling out, let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a rolling pin, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Use the cookie cutter(s). Press raisins, chocolate chips, or candy pieces in the center of each cookie if desired for "buttons".

If there is one short cut I like to make it is Pam, nothing beats Pam. Spray your baking sheet and place cookies (spaced a part enough, gingerbread rises a lot) Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let sit a few minutes and then use a metal spatula to transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Decorate however you wish! :)

For the icing:
1 egg white
1/ 2 teaspoon lemon juice
1 3/4 cups of confectioners sugar (AKA powdered sugar)

Again, you can just buy the pre-made frosting if you're in need of a time savor. I chose to make my icing. For any icing whether it is homemade or pre-made you can use a plastic zipbloc bag as a quick fix to having no icing decorator.

Take a plastic bag and shape a cone at one of the corners, pour/scoop the icing in, snip the end and wa-la!