Classic Gingerbread Men

Directions

1. 1
   Note: Start the cookies at least 1 hour before you want to bake them.
2. 2
   Whisk together all of the dry ingredients (flour through nutmeg) in a large bowl and set aside.
3. 3
   Put butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until fluffy and well-combined. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat for about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs and molasses and beat until combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl to make sure all is combined. Add dry ingredients slowly, with the mixer on low speed, and stir until just combined.
4. 4
   Separate dough into three portions and wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to a few days).
5. 5
   When ready to bake... Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Flour a work surface and the dough lightly and roll dough to approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut dough with desired 3-inch cookie cutter of choice. Transfer the cookies to baking sheets that have been lined with baking mats or parchment paper. Place sugar pearls or sprinkles in as buttons if desired.
6. 6
   Bake cookies in the preheated oven for 9-11 minutes, rotating pans halfway through the bake time. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool. If sugar pearls have sunk in, immediately push in a new one where the hole was left.
7. 7
   Continue with the above process until all of the sections of dough have been used up.
8. 8
   Let cookies cool completely and enjoy.