Gingerbread Cookies

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cups (11/2 sticks) butter, softened

3/4 cups packed brown sugar

2/3 cups molasses

1 large egg

1tsp pure vanilla extract

31/4 cups all-purpose flour

1tbsp ground ginger

1tsp baking soda

1tsp ground cinnamon

1/2tsp ground cloves

1/2tsp kosher salt

1/4tsp ground nutmeg

Sugar cookie icing, for decorating

Sprinkles, for decorating

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl using a hand mixer, beat butter,

brown sugar, and molasses until fluffy, about two minutes.

Add egg and vanilla and beat until combined.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, spices, baking soda,

and salt until combined. With the mixer on 'low', gradually

add dry ingredients to wet ingredients until dough just

comes together. (Do not overmix!)

3. Divide dough in half and create two discs. Wrap

each in plastic wrap and chill until firm, about two to

three hours.

4. Preheat oven to 350deg and line two large baking

sheets with parchment paper. Place one disc of dough

on a lightly floured surface and roll until 1/4" thick. Cut

out gingerbread men with a three-inch-wide cutter and

transfer to baking sheets.

5. Bake until slightly puffed and set, 9 to 10 minutes,

depending on the size of your cookie cutters. Let

cool on baking sheets for five minutes before transferring

to a cooling rack to cool completely.

6. Repeat with remaining disc of dough. Decorate

with icing and sprinkles as desired.