Gingerbread Buddies

Name: Gingerbread Buddies
Ingredients: 1 cup butter, softened; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup molasses; 1/4 cup water; 5 cups all-purpose flour; 2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger; 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda; 1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice; 1/4 teaspoon salt; Cinnamon bear-shaped crackers; Cinnamon Chex; Frosted bite-sized shredded wheat cereal; 1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar; 5 teaspoons water; 1 teaspoon light corn syrup; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; Paste food coloring; Assorted candies

19 ingredients

5 steps

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1/4 cup water
5 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Cinnamon bear-shaped crackers
Cinnamon Chex
Frosted bite-sized shredded wheat cereal
1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
5 teaspoons water
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Paste food coloring
Assorted candies

Directions

1

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses and water. In another bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm enough to roll.
2

Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/4-in. thickness. Cut with a 3-1/2-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased
3

. Place a bear-shaped cracker, Cinnamon Chex piece or mini shredded wheat piece in center of each cookie. Gently fold cookie arms toward cracker or cereal piece; press lightly to adhere to bear.
4

Bake 12-14 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
5

In a small bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, water, corn syrup and vanilla until smooth. Tint frosting as desired with paste food coloring. Transfer frosting to a resealable plastic bag; cut a very small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe frosting onto cookies. Decorate as desired with candies.